THE integrity of those we elect to serve as Members of Parliament and Local Government Councillors has many times been found wanting ,lacking credibility. This is not a new phenomenon, history is full of instances of political scandal, dishonesty, hypocrisy, arrogance and indifference by our elected representatives.
ONE of the biggest barriers to ending in-work poverty is the ever-growing phenomenon of bogus self-employment and the gig economy.
CLLR Spillman’s claim to be a “Covid hero” is an affront to the real heroes such as NHS staff, at all levels, and other key-workers who have literally put their own lives at risk and sadly some have themselves died from Covid-19 caring for others.
FROM Thursday, as part of our local election coverage, we will begin our overview’s of each ward in the borough. They follow a usual format but the bottom line is that we make a prediction at the end, which we usually get wrong. As you may know, South Ockendon resident, Mr Perrin has been blogging […]
WITH lockdown restrictions easing, there is an understandable buzz of excitement in the air as people head outside to see loved ones and enjoy the warmer weather
FOLLOWING on from the recent landmark Supreme Court ruling that ended Uber’s claim that its workers are self-employed, this week saw the first practical step towards the dismantling of ‘bogus self-employment’. This is the beginning of the end of the ‘gig economy’
TWO lucky USP College students had the opportunity to take part in work experience over the recent half term at Spotify and although the experience had to take place virtually, Level 3 Creative Media students Sophie Swaby and Kean Harrison, found it to be an extremely positive one.
I WAS appalled at the supercilious attitude of Cllr Angela Lawrence who said: “This is a “carrot and stick”, trying to entice people to support them because a lot of people like the football club, They (GAFC) sold their own ground . Why didn’t they go out and get another one rather than wait for one to be handed to them?”
THE Editors of “Your Thurrock” “NUB News” and “Thurrock Gazette are probably well aware that I have, often raised the issue of the parking of cars and other vehicles on pavements and grass verges.
Mr. Perrin’s blog: A Word in You Ear. MY response to the item titled “Rejuvenated controversial councillor says he has lots to offered is glad to be back on the campaign trail”. The people of Thurrock need Councillors like Spillman and his fellow defectors like turkeys need Christmas. The cheek of Cllr Spillman seems to […]
I FEEL compelled to respond to Cllr Martin Kerin’s blog posted on 18 December 2020 titled “The 2019 General Election: Taking Stock, One Year On”.
IT is no secret to anyone who knows me, or to anyone who follows Thurrock politics, that I am a Remainer. Not only did I vote Remain in 2016 – I actually campaigned, on the streets, for the official ‘Britain Stronger in Europe’ campaign.
LAST week saw the first anniversary of the 2019 General Election. It was, in the truest sense of the word, a seismic election. The implications of it will be felt in years to come, and it is an election which is up there with 1945, 1979 and 1997 in terms of importance.
EVERY year around this time I write about the important work that our emergency services do over the festive period. This year it feels more poignant but also more important than ever to do so.
AS I write, news has come in that, for the first time in history, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will help feed children in the UK. For the first time in its 70 year history,
Mr. Perrin’s blog: “A Word in Your Ear“ The political “assassination” of Jeremy Corbyn . DAVID Evans, General Secretary of the Labour Party , has warned all members of The Labour Party, by means of a letter to all Constituency party Chairs, warning them that any motions about Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to withhold the […]
A CAUTIONARY note, when you introduce rotten apples into your barrel you are at risk of adversely affecting all the other apples.
ON the 9th August 2020 “Your Thurrock” published an article titled “Older people’s security under threat from new Thurrock Tory proposals”. The article stated that Local Councillors had been told that the Tory Administration was proposing to remove the electronic security gates protecting sheltered housing complexes. The gates needed to be updated or replaced but […]
Dear Editor, It can be a daunting prospect to talk to our children about sexual abuse. It isn’t as straightforward as talking to them about crossing roads or dealing with strangers. But whilst we all hope that our children will never be a victim of such atrocities, we know that sexual abuse does happen. Police […]
Dear Sir/Madam WE’VE all felt the strain of lockdown these past few months, which means that looking after our physical and mental health is extremely important. At the British Heart Foundation (BHF), we see it as our responsibility to help people to keep their hearts healthy, which is why we’re asking the nation to take […]
MY personal question to Councillors is, if this was your own money and you had entrusted it to another person to invest it on your behalf, would you have not been keeping any eye as to what that person was doing with your money,
WHEN something happens once, you can put it down to one-off. When something happens twice, you can begin to see a pattern slowly emerging. I write, of course, about the U-turn forced on the Prime Minister today with regards to providing free school meals for our most vulnerable children over the summer.
AS I compose this on a Thursday afternoon, a few hours away from joining my neighbours and the whole nation in applauding our NHS and Key Worker Heroes, it is with a deep sense of anger that I write about the travesty of the Health Immigration Surcharge being levied against our low-paid, immigrant NHS and care staff.
ON Monday 18th May, 2020 just after 1100hrs Penny my 16 year old English springer spaniel died. I was not her original owner and she did not come to live with me until she was 30 months old. From the moment she became my dog my life was enriched with unconditional love and loyalty.