Opinion

Can you think of any official opposition in the history of the United Kingdom’s democracy that would have consistently and actively voted to restrict the amount of time that it had to ask questions of the executive that it was supposed to be opposing? It would be hard to imagine why any...

I’m sure we all welcomed the news announced by the government last week regarding a route out of lockdown. The vaccine rollout is going well thanks to the hard work of the NHS, key workers and volunteers. As long as we remain vigilant in driving down covid-19 transmission, seeing friends and...

For months, by carefully worded responses and moving at glacial speed, data about the cycle lane on Old Shoreham Road has not been forthcoming from the council. However, in recent weeks, through the council being forced by “freedom of information” (FoI) requests to provide answers, three things...

We are in the middle of Fairtrade Fortnight when thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to share the stories of the people who grow the ingredients that make up our food and drinks, mine gold and who grow the cotton in our clothes – people who are often...

Whenever you talk to fellow residents in Brighton and Hove the issues that come up invariably relate to the poor state of the city – the litter, overflowing bins, fly tipping at green spots or road signs which have faded away. Most cities around the country have councils that spend their time...

What does the Uber court ruling mean and why does it matter? The following is a mix of facts and opinion and includes the difference between local cab companies and Uber. It seeks to explains the different working models and the position that Uber is in now and which way it may operate...

Our budget proposals go before council next Thursday (25 February). The approach at the heart of our budget plans is critical: our city’s recovery. After a tough year I know each and every one of us is keen to ensure our city can thrive once again. So many have faced immeasurable loss from the...

February marks LGBTQ+ History Month. This year’s theme is “Body, Mind, Spirit” and the aim is to raise awareness and promote equality and diversity in both education and wider society by increasing the visibility of LGBTQ+ people and celebrating their lives, experiences and history. I’m pleased...

This week is the half-term holiday but, for most families in our city, the situation is far from normal. Children and young people are increasingly affected by the pandemic. This month started with children’s mental health week, reminding us about the hidden cost of covid-19 on the wellbeing of...

Labour and the Greens’ proposal for a pay rise for council officers would hit frontline services hard and come at a cost to residents in the city while also increasing the pay inequality. Labour and Green councillors put forward the proposal at a pre-budget meeting of the Policy and Resources...

We are living in unparalleled times and along with the tragic loss of life and damage to health, we’ve also seen the huge risk the pandemic poses to workers’ jobs, pay, safety and conditions. That is why trade unions are more important than ever and I am supporting #HeartUnions week, which...

The BBC has run a piece on local TV on its website and, I’m glad to say, accepted that Latest TV in Brighton is a success story. It wasn’t so keen on other parts of the local media jigsaw and even had a go at BBC cuts! In Brighton we are lucky that we have diverse media and we would encourage...

Brighton and Hove News recently reported on a vote at Brighton and Hove City Council to put up the price of parking for residents. The report – Councillors criticise ‘extortionate’ parking charge increases before voting them through – said: “The ruling Greens voted for the higher charges and...

The sustained efforts of Brighton and Hove residents mean our covid-19 rates are starting to drop. In the seven days up to Friday 22 January, there were 40 per cent fewer new cases than in the previous week and our city now has a lower rate than the average for England and for the south east....

At full council last week, Labour councillors tabled questions to hold the administration to account on issues such as food supplies, parking, educational outcomes, bin collections, rough sleeping, low traffic neighbourhoods and more. I raised the scourge of drug abuse, drug dealing and...

So, I’ve been called “Trump-like” by colleagues on Brighton and Hove City Council who refused to acknowledge and support the basic premise of value for money. It was amazing how quickly colleagues in the Labour and Green coalition rose to their virtual feet at full council last week to explain...

Grey heads everywhere. In fact, there have not been so many grey heads in the Brighton Centre since the Leonard Cohen concert in November 2008. I think I recognised some of them at the weekend when I went for my first AstraZeneca jab. It was a good experience. I followed the yellow-footstep...

The Conservatives proposed a motion on value for money savings at the meeting of the full council last week. My Green colleagues and I are all in favour of value for money but this motion could not be taken seriously. It only serves to show us, yet again, either that the Conservatives do not...

Last week was just another week at Brighton and Hove City Council with more taxpayers’ money thrown out the window to deal with the (un) expected consequences of Labour and the Greens’ ideological policy decisions. This time it was revealed that the council would be required to spend an...

As we approach early February 2021 amid another national lockdown, it is staggering to recall it is almost a full year ago that the first case of covid-19 became known in our city. There is no doubt that our lives have changed dramatically following the rapid acceleration of the covid-19...