Mark That Disabled Green Party Guy

The Essential Role of Disability Benefits in Enhancing Lives By Mark Webster, Disability Officer  The Green Party Telford & Wrekin Disability benefits are a lifeline for millions, offering not just financial support but also significantly enhancing the mental wellbeing and life satisfaction of recipients. In today 's climate, it's crucial to critically examine the policies surrounding these benefits and the political decisions that impact them. The Economic and Social Value of Disability Benefits The economic impact of disability benefits is profound. For every £1 spent, there's a return of £1.48 in improved wellbeing. With around 3.5 million people claiming the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the annual economic benefit reaches a staggering £42 billion, far surpassing the £28 billion cost of administration. This financial support is essential, helping to offset the additional living costs faced by disabled individuals and enabling them to engage more fully in soci...

Shaun Davies and Labour’s Water Woes: A Tale of Empty Promises and Missed Votes Let’s talk about Shaun Davies, the Labour MP for Telford, who proudly claims to be “Standing Up for Telford.” Well, on the 28th of January 2025, he was notably *not* standing up for Telford—or anyone else, for that matter—when it came to voting on the Water (Special Measures) Bill. In fact, he didn’t show up at all. And he wasn’t alone. Many of his Labour colleagues also failed to turn up, leaving critical amendments to the bill hanging in the balance. So much for standing up for clean water and environmental accountability. The Water (Special Measures) Bill wasn’t just another piece of legislation. It was a chance to address the UK’s ongoing water crisis—a crisis that has seen rivers polluted, habitats destroyed, and water companies raking in profits while customers foot the bill for their failures. The amendments proposed were not just sensible; they were necessary. One key amendment would have ensured th...

Navigating the Complexities of the Assisted Dying Bill: Progress & Pitfalls One of the many tasks as a Disability Officer for The Green Party Telford and Wrekin is keeping a close eye on bills as they go through the Commons and the Lords. I have been watching with keen interest the progress of the Assisted Dying Bill. On Tuesday 28th January, the committee charged with overseeing the bill came together. The only people that were called to speak with them were so called "professionals", none of which have any disability or experiance of disability, a major concern to myself, and many DPO's (Disabled Peoples Organisations).  The ongoing debate around the assisted dying bill is no small matter. With its potential to profoundly impact the lives of countless individuals, particularly those with disabilities, the proposed amendments, creating another 35 pages of changes, have been met with both praise and criticism. As we delve into these changes, it’s clear that while the ...

Disabilty Officer for The Green Party Telford and Wrekin Welcomes Primark New Adaptive Clothing Range In a move that’s being celebrated by disability advocates across the UK, Primark is set to launch a new range of adaptive clothing designed to meet the needs of disabled people and those experiencing temporary disabilities. The collection, which includes coats, jeans, and pyjamas, features thoughtful design elements like discreet magnetic closures, waist loops, hidden stoma tube access, and soft, friction-free fabrics.  For local disability advocate and Disability Officer for The Green Party Telford and Wrekin, Mark Webster, this is a long-awaited step in the right direction. “For a long time, disabled people have been forced to self-adapt clothing or even go without certain types altogether,” he says. “With a higher-than-national average of disabled people in Telford, I really hope that other brands and suppliers follow suit in the future.” Primark’s new range isn’t just about fun...

The Telford and Wrekin Green Party is deeply concerned about the ongoing discussions in Parliament regarding the Assisted Suicide Bill. Despite previous warnings of bias, it seems our predictions are coming true. As your Disabilities Officer, I have offered to provide evidence in Parliament, but have yet to receive a response. It's troubling that no Disabled People's Organizations (DPOs) have been invited, and that two-thirds of witnesses are in favor of assisted suicide. While I personally support the option for those who choose it, evidence from other countries shows that safeguards are often weakened, leading to vulnerable individuals feeling pressured into choosing suicide. Just 2 weeks ago under my alter ego of "Truth Tracker Telford" I highlighted Telford and Wrekin Council's coercive tactics in a health campaign. TWC Coercion I fear similar tactics could be used if this bill passes. Remember how Doctors and Nurses during Covid encouraged disabled people to ...

Telfords Labour MP Shaun Davies & The Home Office: A Closer Look at Misleading Claims Over the weekend, Shaun Davies, Labour MP for Telford, took to social media with some rather misleading claims about "increased returns" by the Home Office. At first glance, the graphics and language used by The Home Office, and seemingly endorsed by Davies, might lead you to believe they were referring to illegal immigrants. However, a deeper dive into the figures tells a different story. From my experience working with the Home Office on the Immigration Detention and Deportation Contract, I can confidently say that this is not about illegal immigrants, as one might assume. There's a need for clarity here, and perhaps Shaun Davies, with his seat on the Home Office Select Committee, could use his influence to uncover the truth. But let's be real—it's unlikely that will happen. Let's break down the figures that have been made available, courtesy of Full Fact. The 16,400 fi...

Shaun Davies & Labour's Misleading Tactics: #CANBill Controversy On Friday , (24th January 2025) approximately 120 Labour MPs were ordered by their whips to attend the second reading of the Climate and Environment Bill (#CANBill). The session, intended to be a landmark moment for climate legislation, instead became a stage for political maneuvering, to give it's proper name, filibustering, which is drawing sharp criticism from environmental advocates like The Green Party of Telford and Wrekin, and many members of the public alike. According to a report in The Guardian, Labour MPs were instructed to deliberately extend the debate, ensuring the bill ran out of time and avoiding a vote. This tactic, seen by many as obstructionist, highlights Labour's reluctance to fully commit to legally binding climate targets agreed upon in international summits like COP. Among the MPs involved was Telford's Shaun Davies, who aligned with Labour’s strategy to stall the bill. Although...

Channel 4’s “Britain’s Benefits Scandal”: An Insult to Disabled People and a Failure of Journalism As someone who has dedicated much of their life to advocating for disability rights, watching Channel 4’s recent Dispatches programme, “Britain’s Benefits Scandal,” left me with a mix of anger and heartbreak. This broadcast was not just a blow to disabled people—it was a betrayal of journalistic integrity, an insult to millions of individuals living with disabilities, and a dangerous perpetuation of propaganda designed to stigmatise the most vulnerable in our society.   Let’s be clear: this was not journalism. This was a one-sided narrative, veiled in the guise of “investigation,” that weaponised the struggles of disabled people to advance a harmful and divisive agenda. The programme, presented by a former editor of the right-wing Spectator magazine, irresponsibly claimed that our social security system “drives people towards benefits rather than work” and even went so far as to ...

Tony Blair and the Modern Labour Party: A Disconnect from Everyday Life Tony Blair’s recent comments on mental health have sparked significant controversy, revealing a stark disconnect between the modern Labour Party and the realities faced by everyday working people. Blair’s assertion that individuals should stop "self-diagnosing" mental health conditions and his implication that rising sickness benefits are a result of over-medicalisation show a profound misunderstanding of the challenges faced by those living with mental illness. Blair’s remarks reflect a serious ignorance about the complexities of mental health. By dismissing legitimate mental health struggles as mere "challenges of life," he perpetuates harmful stereotypes and undermines efforts to foster a more understanding and supportive society. The former Prime Minister’s views ignore the impact of economic austerity, the pandemic, and the increasing openness about mental health issues, all of which have c...

The Hidden Struggles of Disabled People in Telford: Exposing the Disability Price Tag The daily life of a disabled person is marked by an ever-present struggle against financial and emotional challenges.  This struggle is compounded by what is known as the "Disability Price Tag," a concept highlighted in a report by Scope, which reveals the stark reality of the extra costs faced by disabled households. Understanding the Disability Price Tag The report by Scope, using data from the Family Resources Survey, found that in the 2022 to 2023 financial year, the additional costs for disabled households continued to rise. By 2024, the average disabled household needs an extra £1,067 each month to maintain the same standard of living as non-disabled households.  This figure represents a staggering 67% of household income after housing costs and has increased over 11% from £950 the previous year, far outpacing inflation. The Financial Strain For disabled individuals in Telford, and acr...