Simon Collyer
Fancy Tactical Voting Click Here:-
If you want to vote against the Tories and am not sure how best to use your vote, the Liberal Democrats have a tactical voting website.
Some Labour supporters and three of its MPs have called for the party to not stand candidates in two constituencies where the Green Party has a better chance of winning in order to reduce the size of the victory that Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to win in the June 8 general election. Labour has rejected the proposal.
It is another indication that underneath the tide — currently flowing in the Conservatives' direction — there are some interesting cross-currents. The Tories seem to be stealing votes from Labour, which is unusual. The UKIP threat appears to have been neutralised by May. And with the Labour Party trailing badly in the polls there is some evidence of a rebound for the Liberal Democrat party.
Feel like a tactical vote click here:
Petrol Prices Increase
The slump in the value of sterling since the EU referendum last June is responsible for 5p of the recent increase in the cost per litre of petrol and diesel, new figures from the Liberal Democrats revealed today.
The average price of a litre of petrol has risen by 7p per litre since the referendum. Around a third of that increase is due to the rise in the international oil price. The rest - around 5p - is due to the post-referendum collapse in the value of the pound against the dollar.
This 5p increase works out at £2.50 on a tank of petrol for an average-sized car, or £60 per year for the average motorist.
For hauliers, the impact of the increase in fuel prices is far greater, adding more than £2,200 per year for the average lorry. 85% of everything we buy is carried by truck, so the increase in fuel costs will push shop prices up too.
Women’s Equality Party Contest Vale of Glamorgan seat
Women’s Equality Party candidate Sharon Lovell today announced that she will contest the Vale of Glamorgan seat in next month’s general election. In response to Labour’s disastrous showing in Wales in the local elections on May 4, Lovell, who had been slated to stand in Cardiff South and Penarth against Labour incumbent Stephen Doughty, decided in consultation with the WE Executive to move her candidacy.
“In light of the local election results, I will now fight Vale of Glamorgan, targeting Conservative Alun Cairns. The Secretary of State is a hard Brexiteer with a damning record of opposing equality legislation and a history that saw him suspended as a candidate for racist comments,” said Lovell. “Cairns is part of the same toxic culture represented by his fellow Tory Philip Davies in Shipley.”
She added: “Labour's disastrous performance in the local elections means they lost control of the council in Vale of Glamorgan. I am determined that this Government is held to account through the strongest possible opposition to the Conservative cuts that are harming Welsh women.
“WE originally targeted Cardiff South because we have a lot of supporters in the constituency. Despite our disappointment with Labour, WE will encourage our members to back Stephen Doughty over his Tory challenger Bill Rees, another hard Brexiteer who is pushing forward Theresa May’s agenda whatever the cost to women.”
The Women’s Equality Party based its election strategy on ensuring the best outcome for progressive candidates, protecting women’s representation and ensuring all parties raise the bar in terms of their policies on women’s equality. WE do not believe the fight for women’s equality belongs to any one part of the political spectrum. There are progressives and regressives in all the old mainstream parties.
WE co-founder and president Catherine Mayer says: “The Women’s Equality Party has always advocated for collaborative politics to get the best outcomes for women and for everyone. All decisions on where WE stand are based on a pragmatic approach about how to achieve those outcomes. WE aim to win and our local election performance also showed how important it is for us to be in the race.”
The 4 May local elections saw WE contest county council seats in Tunbridge Wells, Sheffield, Swansea and Worcester, as well as the Liverpool Metro Mayoral election. In every place, first-time candidates for a party less than two years old changed the conversation and more. In Tunbridge Wells Celine Thomas put in a stunning debut, gaining a 9.3% vote share, more than UKIP and the Greens combined and within 2% of Labour. Celine will now fight for the Tunbridge Wells seat in the General Election.
As part of her campaign in Liverpool Tabitha Morton secured a commitment from new metro Mayor Steve Rotheram to introduce a region-wide strategy to tackle violence against women and girls.
“WE are excited about making even more of an impact in the coming General Election,” said Mayer. “WE have the best policies and the best candidates and we have strong support. Of course, WE wouldn’t exist if any of the old parties were doing a good enough job of challenging discrimination in politics, work and family life, or removing the barriers to a properly representative politics.”
She continued: “Labour continues to join with the Conservatives in backing the first-past-the-post electoral system which has been shown globally to exclude women and minorities from office. This is one of many clear differences between the Women’s Equality Party and Labour but there is, of course, overlap. It should be no surprise that the Women’s Equality Party is strong in constituencies where Labour has historically performed well. Among the old Westminster parties, Labour has the strongest record on promoting gender equality. However that proud record is tarnished.
“We wish Labour would look at elections as we do, and stand down their no-hope candidate in Shipley where they are splitting the progressive vote. Some Labour supporters are saddened to see us run in Labour-held constituencies and we are sad too, at seeing a party that has done so much for women in the past fail so consistently to properly value women within its own ranks, and so hopelessly divided that it cannot fight for women as it should. When women thrive, everyone benefits.”
The Women’s Equality Party has now announced a total of seven general election candidates:
•Sophie Walker - Shipley
•Nimco Ali - Hornsey and Wood Green
•Harini Iyengar - Vauxhall
•Sally Carr MBE - Manchester Withington
•Kirstein Rummery - Stirling
•Sharon Lovell - Vale of Glamorgan
•Celine Thomas - Tunbridge Wells
The Women’s Equality Party was established to highlight and dismantle obstacles to gender equality in the UK: a political and economic architecture rigged against women and diversity, an education system riven with unconscious bias and gender stereotyping, a media that reinforces these stereotypes, a society that assigns little value to caregiving and therefore assumes it to be women’s business, that underpays women and invests less in women's health and permits endemic harassment and violence against women.
The Party currently has 65,000 members and registered supporters. It aims to put equality for women at the top of the national political agenda by being an electoral force that also works with other political parties; in addition to party membership it also offers joint memberships to members of other political parties.
Europe Day May 9th
Europe Day is a celebration of peace and unity in Europe that happens annually on May 9. It commemorates the historical Schuman Declaration of May 9, made in 1950 by then French foreign minister Robert Schuman. Schuman proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community, whose members would pool coal and steel production under one common high authority. The idea was that the industrial cooperation of the member countries would lead to gradual political integration, and the pacification of the nations.
‘Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan,’ the declaration goes. ‘It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity. ‘The coming together of the nations of Europe requires the elimination of the age-old opposition of France and Germany’. It was a crucial union that forged relations between France and Germany after a brutal and hostile war. Today of course the UK is on course to leave.
Image: The Ossuary Verdun
Liberal Democrats Plan to Defend Triple Lock
Pensioners will receive at least an extra £772 per year by 2021 under Liberal Democrat manifesto plans to protect the Triple Lock. The party are making the commitment to older people unlike the Conservatives who have repeatedly refused to give the guarantee.
This guarantee means the state pension is expected to be worth at least £137.15-a-week by 2021, up from £122.30 in 2017.
Thanks to the Liberal Democrats’ triple lock guarantee, the basic state pension has risen in each year by whichever is the higher of earnings, prices or 2.5%. The triple lock was a key demand from the Liberal Democrats in Coalition negotiations.
Labour increased the State Pension by just 75p in 2000. Help the Aged described the 75p increase as “just unacceptable”. Labour had 13 years to restore the earnings link to pensions which Margaret Thatcher severed in 1980. The Liberal Democrats restored the link to earnings within six weeks of getting into government.
The Conservatives have hinted strongly that they will drop the Triple Lock. Theresa May has said she will not be drawn on whether it will be included in the manifesto, and Conservative senior figures have spoken out against it.
Commenting on the plan, Sir Vince Cable said:
“Liberal Democrats believe that an important test of a civilised society is the way in which it cares for the elderly. We will protect the Triple Lock unlike the Conservatives.
“The guiding principle of the pensions system must be to ensure that none are left unable to meet their basic needs for survival and participation in society, and that everyone is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
“A Lib Dem Pensions Minister introduced the triple lock guarantee to protect the state pension during Coalition. We delivered on our manifesto commitment to increase the Basic State Pension by whatever is highest out of CPI inflation, average earnings or 2.5%.”
The SNP 'Whoop it Up'
The SNP has won the local elections emphatically, with more seats than any other party, an increased and higher share of the vote than any other party and as the largest party in more councils than any other party.
Regardless of politics and policies we have a good relationship with the SNP whose press release output and sheer vigor leaves other political parties in their wake. We have just turned down a request to donate to the Labour Party, who have ignored the ABC and our growing audience for the last year. We are too kind to print our reply. It was however, NO THANK YOU!
Our local Labour candidate, Cllr Lee Scordis Councillor for the Ward, Old Heath and The Hythe actually won, but he must feel like a 'lone yachtsman' surrounded by all that Tory blue, as Essex was mopped-up once again, by the Conservatives.
Image: Cllr Lee Scordis (Labour).
Back to the charging SNP.
In key victories across the country, making progress on the party’s record-breaking result in 2012, the SNP broke Labour’s 37 year stranglehold on Glasgow City Council, to become the largest party and held off a Tory surge in Aberdeen to give the city a fresh start with the SNP.
The SNP is now the largest party in Scotland’s four largest cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.
The SNP secured:
• 431 councillors, an increase on the number won in 2012 and over 150 more than the party in second place.
• The highest share of first preference votes — up on 2012.
• The SNP is the largest party in 16, or half, of Scotland’s councils — up from 10 in 2012 — and joint largest in 3 further councils, putting the SNP in pole position across the country.
The results show that more people are putting their trust in the SNP to stand firm against the increasingly hard line Tory government.
The Tories claims that they would win councils with an anti-independence majority failed to materialise as the party came a distant second to the SNP and Labour’s vote collapsed in Scotland and across the UK showing they cannot provide the opposition to the Tories that is needed, while the Lib Dems failed to make up any ground.
Welcoming the exceptional result, SNP Leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:
“The SNP has won the election in Scotland and won it loud and clear.
“Thanks to the support of people across the country, the SNP has secured the largest number of councillors, the highest share of the vote – with an increase on the last result in 2012 and is the largest party in the most council areas.
“SNP councillors and SNP councils will put their communities and the people of Scotland first.
“Results across the UK show that now more than ever Scotland needs strong SNP voices to stand up to a Tory government that is set to impose more cuts and put thousands of jobs at risk.
“It is clear from these results that the only party who can be that strong opposition to the Tories — in Scotland and across the UK — is the SNP.
“Where Labour let Scotland down by losing so many seats to the Tories the SNP showed that the Tories cannot take Scotland’s votes for granted.
“The local election results are an excellent springboard for the general election on June 8th.”
Here are the stats:
431 SNP Councillors have been elected, an increase on our record 2012 result. The SNP is the largest party in:
Edinburgh
Moray
Fife
Dundee
North Lanarkshire
West Lothian
West Dunbartonshire
Renfrewshire
Argyll & Bute
Aberdeen
East Dunbartonshire
Glasgow
Falkirk
Clackmannanshire
South Lanarkshire
East Ayrshire
SNP are the joint largest party in:
Stirling
North Ayrshire
Angus
US Employers Added 211,000 Jobs, Unemployment Rate Fell To 4.4 Percent
Hiring rebounded in April as US employers added 211,000 jobs, a sign the economy’s sluggish growth in the first three months of the year may prove temporary.
The Labor Department says the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.4 percent from 4.5 percent, reaching its lowest level in a decade.
Age 18 - 30 And Job Hunting In Essex?
Are you 18-30? Not in education, training or employment? Do you live in Colchester or Braintree and want a career that makes a difference?
The Princes Trust may have the answer?
Join this free 6-week Adult Support Programme and enjoy an employment sign up bonus of £500 or 20 free driving lessons if offered a job at the end of the 6 weeks
Gain qualifications and experience relevant to working with people in a care environment. Excellent apprenticeship and employment opportunities on successful completion of the 6 weeks.
Not only do the organisers say will it boost your confidence and employability, but you’ll also have the chance to benefit from the support of one the mentors to help you uncover your next steps.
-Interviews from Tuesday 2nd May 2017 at local Job Centres.
-Taster day Wednesday 10th May 2017 – DBS check done on this day
-Programme will run Monday15th May- Friday 23rd June.
Additional Benefits are:
Meet new people, make friends, help others
3 weeks college training Level 1 Health & Safety plus Level 2 First Aid
3 weeks hands on work experience in a care setting
Travel expenses paid on programme. Doesn't affect your benefits
Local Elections - Let's Get Voting
It’s time to vote in the local elections. For those of you who have not done it before here are some guidelines
When you get to the polling station
Give your name and address to the staff inside the polling station when you arrive. You don’t have to take your poll card with you.
You’ll be given a ballot paper containing a list of the people, parties or the options you can vote for.
Filling in your ballot paper
Take your ballot paper into a polling booth.
Follow the instructions on the notices in the polling booth and on the top of the ballot paper to vote.
Put it in the ballot box.
Voting if you’re disabled
If you’re disabled, your local Electoral Registration Office can tell you about:
physical access, eg wheelchair ramps and disabled parking spaces
low-level polling booths
equipment for voters with a visual impairment
Every polling station must provide at least one large print display version of the ballot paper and a special device so that blind and visually impaired people can vote.
Health and Social Care Spending Per Person Are Set To Fall
Both health and social care spending per person are set to fall in the coming years under current government plans, analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has revealed.
The figures predicted that health spending per person will be 1.3% lower in 2020 than in 2010 once the UK's growing and ageing population is taken into account.
Meanwhile even if councils make full use of powers to raise council tax to pay for social care, spending will still be 3.4% lower per adult than in 2010.
Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb commented:
"These figures reveal the sheer scale of the crisis facing the NHS and social care in the years ahead.
“It’s time to be honest with the public about the bold solutions needed to ensure patients and elderly people continue to receive the right level of care.
“Otherwise we will see standards fall and hospitals collapse under the pressure of growing demand.
“The Liberal Democrats are prepared to take the difficult decisions required to secure the future of the NHS and care, including increasing tax.”
Image: Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb
Executives
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Simon Collyer
Position: Founder & Director
Simon Collyer hails from Brightlingsea in Essex, a small town on the coast between Colchester & Clacton. Simon worked very successfully in the leisure marine industry in the UK and in Australia. Later in London Simon worked in the web development and publishing fields, founding a below-the-line sales promotion agency in the early nineties and then later a software company Red Banner in South Africa (2002-06). Here in South Africa, Simon became interested in the Third Sector and starting his own organisation.
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Christopher Johnson
Position: Bookkeeping and Administration
Chris lived in Oxford for twenty years, having been educated at Magdalen College School. Chris sought a career with British Rail and spent twenty years in railway retail management ending with Virgin Trains at Euston Station. Christopher retrained in bookkeeping and accounts in 2000 and now works for Chelmsford Community Transport.
A strong, enthusiastic team player with a meticulous eye for detail, Christopher brings a range of skills to the ABC.
Team
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Frances Rimmer
Position: Researcher
When not charming snakes Frances is a Modern History student at the University of Essex, focusing specifically on social history. The lives and experiences of the ordinary person rather than on politics or the military. Outside of her studies, Frances enjoys film and writing. As a keen roller skater who plays roller derby with the Kent Roller Girls, Frances secret wish would be to become a skating instructor and open her own rink, as she has always wanted to help people in some way, and feels it would be great to do so while also sharing her passion with like-minded people.
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Stuart Meyers
Position: Researcher
Stuart Meyer, is a final year American Studies student at the University of Essex. Stuart focussed his academic life on global justice and the rights of migrants. Additionally Stuart has a passion for writing, both creatively and with the aim of providing accessible information to those who need it most Stuart has made a great contribution to our library of Advice Guides demonstrating his versatility by writing intelligently on a wide range of topics.
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Louis Jones
Position: Film Maker
Louis is a 19 year old TV and film student studying at Colchester Institute. Along with hand-picked fellow students, Louis made the ‘Membership’ video that can be seen on the ABC website. Louis volunteers at, Hospital Radio Colchester, as a football commentator. A true fan of the ‘Great Game’ Louis insights have been sought after on occasions by key local media, the Colchester Daily Gazette & even BBC Essex.
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Marcus Pierpont
Position: Film Director
Talented student film maker, Marcus Pierpoint, directed the ABC 'Membership' film which can be seen on the organizations website. Marcus has recently graduated from a BTEC course, studying Creative Media Production at Colchester Institute and he claims a true passion for films and filmmaking. Marcus also enjoys radio work and volunteers at the local hospital radio station, producing and presenting his own show. Marcus is enrolled at the University of Greenwich, and dreams of a career in the media industry.
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Shane Mitchell
Position: Film Maker
Shane Mitchell, is another Colchester Institute Film and TV student that aspirers to be a Director of Photography in the future. Shane was the camera operator for the ABC Membership video, fun to make says Shane but it is also work he is very proud of. Shane loves all things ‘film’ and he makes videos even in his spare time.
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Joe Corlett
Position: Film Director
Ex-student script writer/director, Joe Corlett, directed the ABC's corporate video (About Us) which is now viewable on the main website. Joe graduated from the Colchester Institute with a BTEC diploma in the field of media. Joe is passionate towards film making and hopes to continue making more that are constructed form his own material. On the side he's loves being out jogging in all terrains and when not out side he's writing scripts for future projects. Joe is now out in the world ready to start his life goal of working in the Media industry.
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Jon Taylor
Position: Film Maker
Jonathan Taylor has been working in the media sector for 3 years and for our filming projects he worked as the production manager. John worked on graphical elements of our film, About Us for example, rendering images and making them look good on screen.
Jon is also experienced in animation and he made the logo and animation sequences in the ABC corporate videos.
Part of Jon’s brief was to also organise the administration side of filming, known collectively to admin experts the world over as ‘the paperwork’.
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Thomas Hearn
Position: Film Maker
Thomas Hearn, has been involved in media, for about three years. Tom likes to work a lot at a computer, particularly the editing suite. For the ABC project, Tom worked on the edit itself; created and pieced together both the footage and the music, Tom created the visual elements of the ABC ‘About Us’ video and put most of the visual effects on the video.
I think we can agree that along with the rest of our youthful student team; Tom has done a very fine job indeed.
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Max Gillard
Position: Film Maker
The last of our film team Max Gillard has recently finished college studying Creative Media Level 3 and Max hopes to continue the course on to University to someday gain a job in the media industry.
We wish Max the best of luck.
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Harry
Position: Film Maker
My name is Harry Genge and I am an aspiring film maker. I have skills in the majority of film orientated jobs, though I am most interested in the creative roles such: Directing, Director of Photography and Writing. In my spare time I make short films, write, read, draw/paint and take the dog out for long walks.
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Ned
Position: Producers
My name is Ned Woodcraft and I’m an aspiring Producer. As well as completing a diploma in media production I have also had a number of jobs in the professional market. I’m also a keen sailor and water sport enthusiast.
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Brandon
Position: Producer
My name is Brandon and I’m an aspiring producer and actor. I enjoy bringing a production together with planning and preparations to create a great finished product. My hobbies also include street magic and bass playing.
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Callum
Position: Writer and Director
My name is Callum Olive and I’m an aspiring writer and director. I’m always looking for a new project and love writing new stories and screenplays at home and on the move. My hobbies include playing the piano and street magic.
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Joanie DeMuro
Joanie joined ABC team in early 2017. She was one of six student volunteers from the University of Essex in that cohort. The student team focused on a range of projects, including creation of Wikipedia page,‘training manual’ and most importantly, researching and adding entries to the website directory of organisations that assist the unwaged, or those on low incomes. “This placement was very helpful - thanks for the opportunity Simon.”
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Cherry Lam
Cherry Lam has been volunteering for ABC for one month. Although it is a short period of time, she knows a lot more about the running of a charity organisation. Cherry is responsible for adding directories to the organisation website according to categories. Joining this placement helped her improving skills and gaining new experiences. Cherry says is extremely appreciative of the support she has received from ABC which allowed her to improve skills.
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