Mark That Disabled Green Party Guy

Will Our MPs Support or Reject the Terminally Ill Adults Bill Today? Shaun Davies Labour MP Telford Later today, the House of Commons is set to debate a controversial piece of legislation known as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. This bill has sparked heated debates and divided opinions across the political and medical communities. But the latest twist? The Royal College of Psychiatrists has just withdrawn its support for the bill in its current form. So, what does this mean for the bill’s future? Will enough MPs listen to the College’s concerns and pull back their support, or will they push ahead regardless? Mark Pritchard Conservative for The Wrekin  What’s the Bill About? The bill aims to provide a legal framework for assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales. Essentially, it would allow certain individuals with terminal conditions to choose to end their lives with medical assistance. The legislation requires a panel—including a psychiatrist—to r...

Farage's Cruelty & Misinformation on Autism: A Call for Compassion and Truth in Autism Awareness Month - by Mark Webster, Disability Officer with The Green Party Telford and Wrekin  As Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month 2025 draws to a close,  the need for understanding, compassion, and factual discussion about autism and the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) system has never been more urgent. Yet, Nigel Farage and Reform UK have chosen this crucial moment to spread harmful and inaccurate narratives about autism diagnosis, compounding stigma and misunderstanding for autistic people and their families across the UK. SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) is a blanket term that refers to conditions or difficulties that make it hard for a person to learn or access education compared to others, such as learning disabilities, physical disabilities, or emotional and behavioral challenges.  Farage’s Harmful Claims In a series of recent statemen...

Child Poverty in Telford and Wrekin: Finally in the Spotlight, But Are We Asking the Right Questions? We're diving into a topic that's been simmering under the surface for far too long: child poverty in Telford and Wrekin. It’s a relief that local press like the "Shropshire Star" and "Telford Live" have finally turned their attention to this pressing issue. But let's get real—it's overdue. And while it's great to see the headlines, are we really holding those in power accountable? The Numbers Speak Volumes First, a quick reality check. Over 10,000 children in Telford are living in families with relatively low incomes. That’s a shocking 27.1% of children under 16 for 2023-24. Just a year ago, this figure was slightly lower at 26%. This isn't just a local blip—since 2010, the UK has seen an increase of 700,000 children living in poverty. Let’s Talk Accountability Mark Webster, the Disability Officer for the local Green Party, flagged this issue...

DWP Cuts and Their Impact on Women: A Call for Rethink So here's something that’s been causing quite a stir—proposed cuts to disability benefits by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in the UK. Women’s groups are voicing serious concerns, and here’s why it matters. Recently, dozens of women’s organisations have urged Rachel Reeves to rethink these cuts. They’ve highlighted how these changes will strip away a “vital lifeline” for victims of abuse. But what’s really at stake here? Economic Abuse and Vulnerability Campaigners point out a harsh reality: disabled women are nearly twice as likely to face economic abuse compared to their non-disabled counterparts. Shockingly, they’re almost four times more likely to have someone try to stop them from accessing the benefits they need. These benefits aren’t just numbers on a page—they’re essential support systems that help women escape abusive situations. The Unseen Burden on Women Cuts could also mean that women would have to take ...

Assisted Dying Bill - Committee Stage Concluded  Today, we're diving into a topic that's both deeply personal and widely debated: the Assisted Dying Bill, officially known as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. This bill has recently completed its committee stage and is heading back to the House of Commons for further discussion on April 25, 2025. The committee sat last Wednesday, the same day as the contentious Spring Statement by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves. As a consequence, the committees final sitting was hugely under reported given its significance and importance. There has been talk among the disabled community, many of who are against the bill, (although not the principle -Ed) that the committee was scheduled on purpose so that it's final session would fly under the radar. Is this in the realm of conspiracy theory, or could there be a grain of truth in there? As we explore this topic, I'll admit upfront that I have some reservations about the bill due...

Access Denied: Disabled People’s Struggle for Transport Equality On 20th March 2025 the Transport Select Committee unveiled a stark report titled "Access Denied: Rights Versus Reality in Disabled People’s Access to Transport." Delivered by Labour MP Ruth Cadbury, this document lays bare the grim realities faced by disabled individuals in the UK—a reality that successive governments have failed to adequately address. The Grim Reality of Disabled Access The report paints a troubling picture: inaccessible rail stations, taxi services refusing passengers with assistance dogs, and unreliable passenger assistance at airports and trains. It's a litany of failure that affects every mode of transport. The statistics are damning: 60% of disabled people report frequent travel woes, and over a third avoid travel altogether due to the complexity and safety concerns of current systems. The impact is severe, limiting our access to work, education, healthcare, and social participation. A...

Labour's Approach to Disability Safety: More of the Same? As the UK geared up for the 2024 general election, many scrutinised the Labour Party's promises of "change," particularly regarding disability safety in high-rise buildings.  Fast forward to February 2025 with a Labour government and despite their rhetoric, Labour's stance on Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) seems disappointingly similar to the previous Tory government’s approach, leaving many questioning the authenticity of their commitment to improve safety for disabled individuals. The Importance of PEEPs The devastating Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, which claimed 72 lives, underscored the critical need for personalised evacuation strategies for disabled residents. The inquiry that followed strongly recommended the implementation of PEEPs to ensure that people with mobility issues could safely evacuate during emergencies. This wasn't just a suggestion; it was a call to action to prevent fut...

Committee Urged to Reconsider Legalising Assisted Suicide Due to Serious Concerns In what many have seen as a significant oversight—and an attempt to sideline disabled voices—Labour MP Kim Leadbetter failed to involve ANY disabled individuals, groups, or organisations in providing evidence to the committee on assisted dying. This decision sparked widespread criticism, particularly from disabled people’s organisations (DPOs), including myself. Following the backlash, a single invitation was extended to Disability Rights UK (DRUK) to contribute. The proposed bill, as it stands, has the potential to cause serious and far-reaching harm, particularly in a society where inequality and ableism are deeply ingrained. The committee was warned that the bill could have profound implications for how society, including doctors and health authorities, perceives the value of disabled lives. One key point raised was:   “We already face an uphill battle convincing people that our lives are of e...

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...