Gary Neville’s controversial planning proposal for the St Michael’s development has been accused by a local campaign group, Manchester Shield, of serious conflicts with the city council’s Core Strategy. In an open letter to Manchester City Council (MCC) they state five grounds on which the planning application should be refused. Jackson’s Row Reform Synagogue, Bootle […]
Mayoral candidate Will Patterson proposes a green future for Greater Manchester
Will Patterson proposes a green future for Greater Manchester (GM) in his bid to become the first elected mayor of the region on the 4 May 2017, replacing the current interim mayor Tony Lloyd. Patterson answers questions previously posed to four other major mayoral candidates: Andy Burnham (Labour Party), Sean Anstee (Conservative Party), Shneur Odze […]
Mayoral candidates for Greater Manchester on the fire brigade
Our innate fear of fire is justified: it can kill and maim with frightening speed. Since 1826, when Manchester first adopted a local authority provided fire brigade, there has been a steady increase in the brigades effectiveness in fighting fires and saving lives. But now the fire brigade’s advances appear to be heading in the […]
Mayoral candidates for Greater Manchester on xenophobia and multiculturalism
Since the EU referendum on 23 June 2016, when the majority of UK voters chose the ‘Brexit’ option, there has been a worrying rise in xenophobic abuse in Greater Manchester and across the UK. Far right individuals and organisations are increasingly questioning the benefits of immigration and our multicultural society. Just a week after the […]
Why did the mainstream media ignore the UK’s biggest anti-fracking rally?
The United Against Fracking Rally (UAFR) took place in Manchester on 12th November. It was the biggest anti-fracking protest held in the UK so far. The UAFR was organised by Frack Free Lancashire, in conjunction with Frack Free Greater Manchester and Frack Free Ryedale, after the first operation to drill for shale gas for five […]
Manchester community organiser, Dianne Ngoza, detained and threatened with illegal deportation
The Home Office is making an unlawful attempt to remove community organiser and nurse Dianne Ngoza from the UK to Zambia this Wednesday 30th November. Dianne has lived in the UK for 14 years. The Home Office refused Dianne’s leave to remain, claiming that she would have no problem integrating into Zambian society if […]
Kashmir to Manchester: journey of a refugee journalist
Exile, abductee, fugitive, asylum seeker; what comes next all depends on the outcome of the asylum hearing