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.
By Chris Matheson MP for City of Chester and Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) LIFE was tough enough for local newspapers before the coronavirus outbreak. But it is precisely crises like this that show the need to maintain a robust, diverse media that can hold authority to account and provide a lifeline public […]
Mr. Spillman, Mr. Duffin, you make a mockery of honesty, integrity, principles and truth. Have you no shame? If you do stand for re-election in 2021, I hope the voters will see through your trickery and reject both of you. I said in the Council Chamber that there were some Councillors that the public would be glad to see the back of, both of you were top of my list.
THURSDAY 7th May 2020 should have been polling day for the Local Government Election, unfortunately Covid-19 has forced the election to be cancelled.
Mr. Perrin’s blog: “A Word in Your Ear”. “To treat or not to treat” that seems to be the question? THE overriding principle of the National Health Service (NHS) is that EVERY citizen of the United Kingdom (UK) is entitled to free clinical care at the time it is needed. In so far as I […]
WE all are confined to our homes due to COVID-19 pandemic. Even though, we have all the facilities but still it is very difficult for all of us to stay inside the house. We are bored, worried and want to return to our normal life quickly.
Where will you bury me? By Cllr Qaisar Abbas THE people of Thurrock have proud history of welcoming people from different backgrounds and religions. They have always opened their arms and hearts for those in need. The world has recently witnessed the generosity and compassion of Thurrock residents when 39 bodies were found in a […]
MOMENTS of genuine, long lasting change happen vary rarely in the life of a nation. The post-war settlement of 1945 heralded a general political consensus, built around the NHS and the welfare state
I write on behalf of my members who were appalled to find out that another part of Thurrock’s Heritage is being allowed to go.
DID you know that by setting a target, such as a marathon or bike ride, has helped a quarter (25%) of people get fitter in the past?
OVER the years I have repeatedly asked the Council to protect grassed areas by means of barriers. I have suggested that drivers who, despite previous warnings, repeatedly offend should have their vehicle removed from the grassed area, “clamped and charged to have the clamp removed.
Mr. Perrin’s blog; A Word in Your Ear. THE duplicity of, past and present, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP)/Thurrock Independents Party (TIP) Councillors seems to know no bounds. After originally being elected as UKIP/TIP Councillors they decide to defect to another Party without seeking endorsement from the electorate, especially those UKIP/TIP members/supporters who voted for […]
NSPCC Fundraising Manager for Essex Sarah Laffling discusses the benefits of volunteering for the charity’s Speak Out, Stay Safe service.
AFTER a short, painful period of reflection, the Labour Party has a crucial decision to make over the leadership and direction that we will take now, following the worst defeat since 1931.
THE “back-stabbing Labour Party MPs have finally got what they wished for, and done for Jeremy Corbyn, Et Tu Brute?
WHILST most people’s Christmas wish lists this year will consist of many-a-material good, I assure you that the Christmas wishes of thousands of people in the East of England this year, look quite different.
AS the dust settles post GE 2019 one thing is indisputably clear, Politicians should be careful what they wish for. Ever since the 2016 Referendum most MPs, across the political spectrum, have persistently called for a “second referendum/peoples vote/confirmation vote/whatever.
THANK you for your prompt reply to my letter asking you, as an election candidate, to commit to restore school funding. I am replying to you in an open later because I believe, at a time when so many untruths are being circulated.
IN a few days time, 12 December 2019, people will be voting for a new Government and, rightly or wrongly, the main issue will probably be Brexit.
THE candidates hoping to be elected as Thurrock’s Member of Parliament (MP) attended a “hustings* meeting, held at St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Grays on Thursday 28 November 2019, to answer questions from the public. Despite a disappointing turnout, which I believe struggled to reach 100+, the meeting was a civilised affair. The questions asked gave some indication as to what issues were concerning the people of Thurrock and the replies from the Candidates revealed where they stood on those issues.
AS the cold nights of winter draw in it becomes more apparent how important home is to us all. While most of the country will be getting ready to celebrate with loved ones and looking forward to a home cooked Christmas dinner, there will be thousands of people facing the struggle of having nowhere safe to call home.
AS you may know, 72% of those who voted in the 2016 European Union Referendum in Thurrock voted to Leave. That is a whopping 57,765. We have a general election in Thurrock on Thursday December 12th and you get the feeling that people are wintering who exactly is out there representing them on that issue.
WHEN I was growing up, I always saw Oxford and Cambridge as real-life Hogwarts – exclusive universities that only invited those born into excellence. Some people, I feel, still hold this view in a way; that if you are born into the ‘right’ family then you have an easy road to get in,