Mark That Disabled Green Party Guy

Why vote green in FTP The argument that voting for the Green Party in an English first-past-the-post election is a "wasted vote" is based on the premise that the Green Party is unlikely to win a significant number of seats in Parliament. While this may be true in some constituencies, it overlooks several important considerations: 1. Voting is an expression of personal values: Voting is not just about choosing the most likely winner. It's about expressing your values and supporting the party that best represents your views. If the Green Party's policies align with your beliefs on issues such as climate change, social justice, and sustainable economics, then voting for them is a powerful way to affirm these values. 2. Supporting the growth of the party : Even if the Green Party doesn't win a majority of seats, every vote they receive strengthens their position in the political landscape. It sends a clear message to other parties that there is substantial public sup...

Government's Draconian Crackdown on Disabled: A Flawed Focus The recent announcement by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to intensify its crackdown on disability benefit fraud has sparked widespread criticism from experts and advocacy groups. Under the leadership of Mel Stride, the DWP plans to deploy new legal powers, better data, and additional staff to target what it perceives as rampant fraud within the system.  However, a closer examination of the statistics and expert opinions reveals that this initiative is not only misguided but also harmful to the disabled community. PIP Fraud: A Non-Issue Data from the financial year ending in 2024 unequivocally shows that PIP (Personal Independence Payment) fraud is virtually non-existent, clocking in at 0%. Even Disability Living Allowance (DLA) fraud is negligible at a mere 0.1%.   Mikey Erhardt from Disability Rights UK has long argued that PIP fraud is a non-issue, a sentiment now backed by concrete data. Erhardt ...

SEND -Local Offer Websites: A Patchwork of Information for SEND Support in England Confusing and Incomplete: Research Exposes Inconsistencies in SEND Local Offer Websites A recent study by The Special Needs Jungle has revealed a troubling lack of uniformity and significant gaps in the information provided by Local Offer websites across England.  While Telford and Wrekin Council scored highly in comparison to the others in the survey, there were some glaring oversights. These websites, mandated by the Children and Families Act, are crucial resources for families and individuals seeking support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Postcode Lottery of Information The research assessed 151 local authorities and found a concerning variability in the comprehensiveness of their Local Offer websites. The amount of information included ranged from a meager 29% to a commendable 98%, where Telford and Wrekin sits at the top end, highlighting a "postcode lotter...

Myopic View of What Disabled People Need to Thrive is Regressive & Harmful The DWP's PIP Reform, announcement yesterday afternoon, is a huge step backwards for disabled Britons! The DWP announced sweeping changes to the Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in 90 days time, and it has sent ripples of concern and anger across the nation, particularly among more than three million Brits relying on these essential support payments. The Conservative government, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is pushing for a radical overhaul of the disability benefits system. Their agenda? To replace the current scheme of weekly cash payments with one-off grants or vouchers.  Sunak has voiced his concerns about the system's sustainability, arguing that the new model would make the benefits system "fairer, better targeted, and harder to exploit." However, this perspective is worryingly shortsighted and fails to consider the nuanced and complex realities of living with a disability. ...

Amplifying Voices: The Struggle for Recognition in the Deaf Community At the end of "Deaf Awareness Week" (  RNID Deaf Awareness Week  ) we bring you a local perspective on what has been a national campaign. As a veteran who has transitioned from the world of sound to one of silence pierced by screaching tinnitus, I find a profound personal connection with the findings of a recent major survey conducted by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). The statistics are more than just numbers; they reflect the lived experiences of up to 30% of military veterans who, like myself, are now living with hearing loss—a rate twice that of the non-veteran population. In Telford and Wrekin, and indeed across the UK, this is not merely a health issue; it's a matter of social equality and employment equity. As the Disability Spokesperson for the Green Party Telford and Wrekin, I have been deeply disappointed by the lackluster efforts of the Labour-led council to embrace the m...

 Having worked for the immigration enforcement forces in a previous life as a senior manager responsible for the detention, secure transport and deportation of illegal immigrants, serving this very same Home Office Contract, I am uniquely placed to be able write this article. A Fair and Humane Approach: How the Green Party's Vision for Migration Surpasses Labour's Security-Driven Plan The political landscape in the United Kingdom is once again pulsating with intense debates as political parties lay out their visions for managing the pressing issue of migration. Notably, the Labour Party, under Sir Keir Starmer, has recently announced a stringent plan to address the crisis of small boat crossings, with promises to toughen Britain's shores against people-smuggling operations. However, a deeper analysis suggests that the Green Party’s comprehensive approach to migration would provide a more equitable and sustainable solution to the challenges posed by immigration. Labour's...

The Precarious Intersection of Assisted Suicide and Disability Rights: A Call for Care, Not Cuts In the midst of a society that prides itself on advancements in accessibility and inclusivity, there lies a contentious debate that threatens to undermine the dignity and the very lives of disabled individuals.  The conversation around assisted suicide, or assisted dying, has gained momentum in recent times, sparking intense dialogue and legislative movements across the UK. With Scotland poised to debate an assisted dying bill this autumn, and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer signaling support for a UK-wide law change, it is a critical moment to examine the implications such legislation could have on the disabled community, particularly in the context of concurrent governmental support cuts. Arguments against the legalisation of assisted suicide for disabled people often revolve around ethical, moral, and practical concerns. At the heart of these arguments is the fundamental right to life...

The Rise of Labour PCCs and the Hope for Stricter Enforcement Against Hunting Crimes In a significant shift of political winds, the recent Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections across England and Wales herald a beacon of hope for foxes, pets, cattle, and wildlife.  Labour's sweeping gains, with a reaffirmed policy to ban outright hunting with dogs as of February 2024, suggest a brighter future for the protection of animals against illegal hunting practices. Avon and Somerset: A New Chapter for Stag Protection The election of Labour candidate Clare Moody as PCC in Avon and Somerset marks a turning point in the fight against wildlife crime. Under previous Tory leadership, the dire situation for stags in the region, especially involving the Quantock Stag Hounds, had gone largely unaddressed. The persistence of stag hunting, despite clear evidence of illegal activities, raised serious concerns among conservationists and animal rights activists.  With Moody at the helm, the...

"Youth Offer" Website Launch: A Step Forward Amidst the Chaos In a world where digital access is increasingly synonymous with opportunities, Telford and Wrekin Council's new "Youth Offer" website has emerged as a beacon of potential progress. However, its introduction has left many stakeholders, particularly within the disability community, apprehensive and yearning for more concrete assurances. The portal, was put in the spotlight by Cllr Shaun Davies’s social media announcements, which came under scrutiny following a Freedom of Information Act request The council's response has provided both reassurances and raised eyebrows. **A Question of Inclusion** From the outset, the "Youth Offer" website’s development process appeared to include a diverse array of young voices. While this suggests a drive towards a more inclusive digital environment, the details of these consultations remain vague.  The council's assurance that feedback will guide the ...

 **Conservative Incumbent Secures PCC Victory** **Green Party Surges in Election, & Secures Impressive Vote Share Amidst Political Shakeup** With another term secured for Conservative John Campion as PCC, residents of TF3 will have to see if he can bring declining crime rates to our area as he promised, and not just cherry picked figures from the whole of West Mercia.  In a remarkable turn of events, the Green Party has secured a significant portion of votes in the latest PCC elections – a commendable feat considering they had not participated in the previous 2021 elections. The election, which saw a turnout of 21.72% from a total of 995,785 electors, has brought forward some surprising developments and notable absences in the political landscape. The Conservative Party's John-Paul Campion emerged victorious with 73,395 votes, maintaining the party's stronghold. However, the Green Party's Julian David Geoffrey Dean garnered a notable 22,021 votes, placing them just behi...

Councils Need Accountability -  Parents are not the enemies of council budgets; they are champions for their children's futures, forced into battle by a system that should be supporting them. The plight of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families has long been a somber shadow cast over our education system. The current state of affairs for these children, a supposed priority for any society that values fairness and opportunity, is one of crisis. Despite the presence of some exemplary practices, the system designed to support them is failing many, resulting in squandered educational opportunities and exhausting struggles for families to obtain the support they so desperately need. The consensus is clear: reform is imperative. However, the nature of this reform is the subject of considerable debate. It isn't necessarily the law that needs an overhaul—our legislation enshrines the rights and entitlements of children and young people with S...

In Telford and Wrekin, the Labour-led council is facing public criticism for its handling of glyphosate use, a controversial herbicide, in public spaces. The council only just met its own deadline for addressing concerns about glyphosate, with literally minutes to spare, and has intensified scrutiny over its environmental practices and commitment to transparency, with a bland and generic reply to such a critical issue. The controversy began on 4 October 2023, when a resident in the Overdale area noticed a council worker spraying chemicals. This prompted the resident to contact the Parish Clerk at Lawley & Overdale Parish Council, who then reached out to the Community Environmental Liaison Officer at the borough council. The council informed the resident that glyphosate, used in contractual spraying, was a "green chemical" and safe since it was derived from plants. However, further research by the resident disputed this claim, revealing that glyphosate is a synthetic compo...

 Bridging the Gap: When a Council's Plans Almost Align with Visions for Accessibility Designing inclusive spaces requires a careful blend of intention and attention to detail. Following a consultation, Telford and Wrekin Council unveiled their latest plans for the theatre's £21.07 million renovation, placing a strong emphasis on accessibility.  As part of the consultation process, Mark Webster, the Disability Spokesperson for The Green Party of Telford and Wrekin, submitted a comprehensive 20-point wishlist for accessible venues, representing the interests of many disabled individuals in the area. These two perspectives combine to offer a nuanced approach to creating disability-friendly environments. **The Positive Overlap: A 70% Shared Commitment to Accessibility** Let's acknowledge the shared priorities. Both the council and Mark Webster underscore the critical importance of accessible seating—a clear indication of progress in acknowledging mobility challenges. Both parti...

 Decade of Disregard: The Alarming State of Disability Rights in the UK The United Kingdom, once a beacon of progress in human rights, has found itself mired in a damning indictment from the international community.  The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Disabled People's report paints a grim picture of a country that has not only stalled in its commitment to disabled individuals but has also regressed. This is not merely an oversight, but a systematic failure that dates back to 2010, with the Conservative government at the helm. For over seven years, the UK government has been found guilty of "grave and systematic" violations of the UN disability convention. This is not just a stain on the nation's record; it is a deep-seated wound that speaks volumes about the government's contempt for some of the most vulnerable members of society. The report lays bare the harsh reality: no progress has been made since 2016, and the root causes of inequality and discrim...