Links to media coverage where I have had active involvement in the story or have provided comment and a Labour Party perspective…
News and opinion
Stroke unit closure at QEQM more likely after Tunbridge Wells collapse?
The early closure of a hospital stroke unit in Kent has sent alarm signals to residents in Thanet…
Everyday sexism stings!
The world is rife with issues that need tackling as a matter of urgency, but underlying wrongs such as everyday sexism cannot be pushed to the sidelines. On Thursday at Kent County Council (KCC) full council, whilst applauding a report on supporting pollinating insects, Kent plan Bee, I ‘called out’ a fellow councillor for an […]
Manston, What’s next?
We learned today that RiverOak Strategic Partnership (RSP) has purchased the Manston Airport site. Well, Stone Hill Park (SHP) seem to have been beaten down by a lack of vision, forward thinking and intransigence at Thanet District Council. Despite a robust plan for mixed use development on the Manston site and clearly demonstrating their business […]
Southeastern rail franchise – another Grayling failing?
Chris Grayling doesn’t exactly have a great record when I comes to striking deals with transport operators. Now his Department for Transport appears derailed whilst handling the bids for the Southeastern franchise to run our local train service. Southeastern, which is run by Govia, holds the Integrated Kent franchise. However, the franchise was due to […]
Greek Solidarity Campaign – support from Thanet
I travelled to Athens recently as part of the U.K. delegation to the Greek Solidarity Campaign. We met with many people, from Government ministers to trade union officials and refugee groups to forge solidarity and links, to exchange information, to assess what is happening on the ground, and to better understand the risks emerging from the […]
Seeing Red: Stroke referral failure
As an elected Labour County Councillor for Ramsgate I am privileged to have a column in The Isle of Thanet News.
Fighting for Ramsgate Town Centre
A number of productive meetings have now taken place between myself, Ramsgate businesses and Kent Police with regards the state of Ramsgate Town Centre. Continued concerns about disruption and damage caused by the area’s late night drinking culture have led to calls for a better Police presence and more responsibility to be taken by the […]
In the news: June 2019
Throughout each month I am posting links to media coverage where I have had active involvement in the story or have provided comment and a Labour Party perspective. As an elected County and District councillor I am often asked to provide local input on national stories and the socialist perspective on local issues. This page […]
Mental health services shortfall costing lives?
Today, 13th June, Kathy Bailes in The Isle Of Thanet News covered the tragic story of Ben Stone and his brother, Lee Thrumble. Both local men were victims of suicide, the rates for which are higher for men in Kent than elsewhere in the country. The story highlights the problems of accessing mental health services […]