Mark That Disabled Green Party Guy

In a recent display of startling ignorance, Conservative MP Mel Stride, has exposed a concerning lack of understanding for his department and the critical role it plays in the lives of disabled individuals.  On national news channels this week (April 29th 2024), Stride voiced his misconceptions about the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), suggesting that claimants receive "thousands of pounds a month"—a statement that not only defies the actual figures but also trivialises the struggles faced by those the system is meant to support. To set the record straight, let's examine the true PIP rates: for the highest care needs, £108.55, and for the highest mobility needs, £75.75, totaling a maximum of £184.30 weekly. For a four-week month, this amounts to £737.20, which is far from the "thousands" Stride claims. This discrepancy is not just a minor oversight; it reflects a profound misunderstanding of the challenges disabled individuals face daily.  Many of those tha...

 In the wake of Labour's grand announcement on their intention to create Great British Railways, the conversation around the feasibility, integrity, and potential impact of their plan has intensified. Councillor Shaun Davies, the Labour candidate for MP for Telford, has echoed the party's commitment to revamping the UK's rail system with his social media content.  However, critics have raised several concerns about the sincerity and practicality of these promises. Here's a closer look at the details and the discourse surrounding Labour's railway plans. Their vision for the railways is a publicly owned, passenger-focused, and future-ready system. The party has pledged to end the era of fragmented, privatised rail franchises and bring them under public control as the contracts expire. This move is aimed at providing better service and value to passengers. However, the plan has been met with skepticism from several quarters, and a huge wave of critical analysis from i...

Green Party Telford and Wrekin Response  by Mark Webster Disability Spokesperson As the Green Party's Telford and Wrekin disability spokesperson, I am compelled to address Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's recent speech on welfare reform and its alarming implications for people with disabilities in our community. The Prime Minister's plans to diminish the role of GPs in issuing sick notes and the proposed "rigorous" approach to PIP claims are deeply concerning. This is not just about budgetary considerations; it is about the fundamental dignity and support for people with disabilities, including mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. In Telford and Wrekin alone, 36.1% of households include at least one disabled person. With such a high percentage of our community directly affected by disability, the Prime Minister’s proposals represent a direct attack on the livelihoods and well-being of our constituents. The Prime Minister's rhetoric around a "...