
The Scandal of Empty Homes - an Update
I wrote the article below over 3 years ago, in December 2019. Since then the Conservative controlled Distict Council has done nothing - except trim a few trees in the front that were close to the road.
We are the largest party on the District Council and we lead the Progressive Alliance.
Steve Flitter, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats on DDDC said - We are delighted to come together as 3 progressive Parties to offer the residents and businesses of the Derbyshire Dales a new approach to local politics. We know that our District faces many challenges, not least the cost of living crisis, the shortage of affordable housing for our young families and the threat to our environment from new developments and pollution.
Working together we will support our communities in the best and most effective way, and provide them with genuinely value-for-money services.
I wrote the article below over 3 years ago, in December 2019. Since then the Conservative controlled Distict Council has done nothing - except trim a few trees in the front that were close to the road.
The theme for this year's Holocaust Memorial Day is "ordinary people". Hidden in these simple words is a universal truth that 'ordinary people', when fed denigrating, demeaning words and images of 'other' people, can become inhuman in their behaviour towards them. Words have consequences when they distort and dehumanise other races, groups, religions or creeds.
Why is the country only belatedly becoming aware of Boris Johnson's tendency to weasel money out of distant relatives and cronies of the Conservative Party? Can it be that his own party is embarrassed by his sponging off others to support a lifestyle that he obviously cannot actually afford and yet clearly feels he is somehow entitled to?
Years of Conservative cuts have hollowed out the legal aid system, leaving millions without access to timely legal advice. Our new policy will legal aid a guaranteed right, ensure no one is left without help.
Millions of people are still trapped in England’s broken leasehold system. Our plan will end the leasehold rip-off, strengthen building safety, and give residents the control, fairness, and dignity they deserve in their own homes.
Hong Kongers living in the UK, and across the world, face an increasingly robust and alarming campaign of transnational repression from Beijing. Our new policy will protect pro-democracy activists and ensure this intimidation has no place in the UK.