I wrote last week on this blog about the leadership of Barnsley council attempting to stifle scrutiny and accountability in the chamber of the council by altering standing orders. I explained that last year a councillor was elected in Penistone… Continue Reading
The local government association states that one of the key roles residents expect their councillors to fulfil is to “represent their views at council meetings”. So what do you do when you are the leader of a council with an… Continue Reading
Almost 3 years ago the UK held a referendum on their membership of the European Union. By a margin of 52% to 48% the UK voted to leave the EU. At that point our country split and all of a… Continue Reading
Last week I tweeted a video of an interchange between Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield and Prime Minister Theresa May near the end of Prime Minister’s Questions. You can view the interchange here. In it Mrs May parrots one of… Continue Reading
Last year I wrote a post for my website promoting the concept of Universal Basic Income. This came after listening to ex-Green party leader Natalie Bennett talking about it as part of the Skeptics at the Pub programme in Barnsley.… Continue Reading
Ten years ago today the MP ‘expenses scandal’ hit the headlines when the Daily Telegraph began publishing details of some of the bizarre (duck houses, moat clearing) and illegal (mortgage fraud) claims made by MPs on expenses. In the 10… Continue Reading
I’ve had about 10 days now where I’ve been housebound and effectively bedroom bound. This has given much time for thought, though I have to admit the thought hasn’t been as focused as it could be nor organised nor particularly… Continue Reading
Yesterday saw the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and I’d like to wish any observers of Ramadan best wishes for the month to come. At this point there will be a certain type of person sighing… Continue Reading
There is an interesting piece in today’s Yorkshire Post from the Sheffield City Region mayor and Barnsley Central MP, Dan Jarvis (read the full piece online here), reflecting on what he has achieved at the first anniversary of his election… Continue Reading
On Friday I had a significant operation on my ankle. This was to correct an injury I’d acquired whilst slipping on some black ice in January of 2018 which left me on crutches for a few days and never got… Continue Reading