PETER'S DEMOCRATIC HEROES!
The campaign that breathed life back into local politics...
This is what democracy looks like
Congratulations to Peter Smorthit and his merry band of residents, who worked tirelessly over a very short space of time, and showed Hackney’s political establishment what genuine democracy looks like. From a standing start – no money, no party organisation or...
The No-mandate Mayor
In last week’s election, Labour received just over 18,000 votes, a staggering 50 per cent drop in support from a year ago. Out of an electorate of around 180,000, almost 90% did not vote for this mayor.
Fiery Clash at Hackney Town Council Meeting Over LTNs
At the end of last month - Monday 26th of July - Hackney’s Labour-run Council finally did what they have been trying not to do for more than two years. That is, the simple act of discussing, at Full Council a petition by local residents calling for the removal of...
Hackney resident Ruth Parkinson’s address to the Full Council on LTNs.
Ruth Parkinson’s address to the Full Council meeting on Monday 24th July 2023. 5 mins - Ruth was allowed five minutes to speak and present the residents petition to councillors. A further 10 minutes was ‘allocated’ for councillors to speak and respond. Neither Ruth as...
Are councils and political leaders ignoring consultation results?
The short answer is yes. Councils like Hackney in East London are overriding clear majority verdicts and making permanent a raft of road closures introduced as emergency temporary measures during Lockdown. Hackney alone has imposed 19 LTNs using Lockdown measures, and...
Are we witnessing a re-awakening?
Last Tuesday (15 November), Islington Council attempted to hold its first public meeting in a 12-month-long consultation over its planned ‘liveable neighbourhood’ in its Barnsbury Ward. What caught officials by surprise was that, in addition to those who are for the...
Survey reveals LTN road closures hitting women and families hardest
Government-backed council road closures are hitting young working mothers, carers and their families hardest. The architects of road closures that have made the news over the past few months, portray motorists as irresponsible rat-runners making millions upon millions...
Islington St Peter’s ward LTN consultation
Islington resident Patricia Niclas, shares her response to Islington Council's 'St Peter's people-friendly streets' Public Consultation report. (First published in the Islington Gazette.) I received the Council's email notification last Thursday regarding the...
An open letter to the Mayor of Hackney
How Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) impact people with mobility problems. I am a 63 year old Stamford Hill resident. I have mobility issues - I suffer from spinal stenosis, asthma, diabetes and fibromyalgia. I rely heavily on my car, as I can only walk short...
Hackney council meeting report-back
Hackney council debate on 'reversing the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods scheme' On 21 October Hackney councillors debated a motion calling for the 'Reverse the failed Low Traffic Neighbourhoods Scheme and consult residents properly' proposed by Cllr Odze. Jon Carp was...