Councillor John Blundell strongly proposed in Manchester Confidential that Manchester City Council should start fining “aggressive beggars” as it is “the only solution” to what he describes as “organised begging”. His use of the term “beggar” comes off the back of Manchester City Council leader Richard Leese in his leader’s blog describing Christmas as “peak […]
Manchester says no to Balfour Declaration Centenary Celebration
The Balfour Declaration centenary ‘celebrations’ opened in Manchester on All Hallows’ Eve against a backdrop of mass protests. The centenary event, part of the “Balfour 100” tribute, and attended by Israeli ambassador Mark Regev, was switched to the Hilton hotel by the organisers after University of Manchester students found out that Whitworth Hall at the […]
Rochdale regeneration or profit before people?
When Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) announced its simultaneous proposals for the regeneration of College Bank and Lower Falinge, on the 24 June, they were presented as the only solution and as somehow being radical. The proposals are certainly radical in terms of demolition. There will be an estimated loss of 720 primarily social rent properties […]
Who is this city for?
Rochdale Councillor John Blundell, who is a member of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Planning and Housing Commission, last week published a piece in Manchester Confidential entitled ‘Why foreign property investors are not a bad thing for Manchester‘. We welcome his willingness to participate in public debate about the future of our city region, but […]
Marks & Spencers told to ‘stop funding hate’
Marks and Spencer’s business links with the right-wing press were recently put under the spotlight by activists from Global Justice Manchester. Picketing the M&S flagship store in Market St they invited shoppers to take action to dissuade the brand from paying for advertising with the tabloid because of its hate filled and divisive coverage, directed […]
Manchester activists plan to disrupt weapons sales at DSEI, the world’s biggest arms fair
Military delegations from around the world will head to London for Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) – the world’s biggest arms fair – on the 12-15 September. Many of these delegations will be from countries with abominable human rights records. At DSEI, they will meet weapons industry salespeople who will have filled the ExCeL […]
Corbyn storms Glastonbury as Momentum North West celebrate positive GE2017 result
Saturday afternoon in the Frog and Bucket, Oldham Street, Manchester and its buzzing! I doubt even the atmosphere at Glastonbury with Jeremy Corbyn’s energising appearance can beat it. More than 250 Labour activists from all over greater Manchester and beyond are gathered at a Momentum North West meeting to analyse the General Election result. Two […]
How do you explain it to a kid?
“How do you spell condolences?” It’s the morning of the 23 May 2017. Last night a bomb went off in Manchester Arena. When I’d fallen asleep, there were conflicting rumours about what had happened. It still seemed possible that the ‘bang’ was a burst balloon or a faulty speaker. This morning I’m on the other […]
Unite Community protests against benefit sanctions across Greater Manchester
A national day of protest against benefit sanctions saw Greater Manchester Unite Community Branch (GMUCB), and other campaigning organisations, demonstrating outside job centres across Greater Manchester (GM). Benefit sanctions are applied as a punishment to benefit claimants who have broken jobcentre rules. If someone on benefits does not apply for enough jobs, or turns up […]
What would you change about Manchester?
In the last episode of ‘The Meteor Asks Manchester…’ residents spoke about the changes they have seen Manchester go through, both good and bad. This episode explores how people might want the city to change for the better – a difficult question to answer on the spot. Residents’ aspirations for Manchester included ending homelessness, greening […]