Community union ACORN call on Andy Burnham to speak out against the police powers bill. Rebecca Long-Bailey says the bill ‘represents a slide into authoritarianism.’
Electoral Reform Society concern over Salford council ‘one-party fiefdom’
A new missive from the Electoral Reform Society warns that ‘Local one-party fiefdoms plague local government in England – with growing powers often wielded with shrinking oversight. It is a potential gift for lobbyists and shady contractors.’
Mayoral election candidates answer one simple question – why should I vote for you?
On Thursday Greater Manchester decides who will be the next mayor of the city region. To help you choose who should be honoured with this position of power, we asked the candidates for a succinct summary explaining why you should pick them to become the next mayor.
Manchester marches to oppose ‘greatest blow to democracy’ threatened by the police powers bill
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Manchester on Saturday, opposing the controversial police, crime, sentencing and courts bill which could severely limit the right to peaceful protest in the UK. The Meteor spoke to those who had come out on May Day to ‘kill the bill’.
Burmese in Manchester give three fingered salute and call for justice for pro-democracy protestors killed by the military junta
Tribute to victims of Myanmar military oppression takes place in Piccadilly Gardens as supporters raise awareness to the killing of Burmese pro-democracy protestors opposing the military coup.
‘Kill The Bill’: Manchester protests against contentious government policing bill
Hundreds of people came together in solidarity in Manchester to peacefully protest the government’s controversial and now allegedly delayed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. A number of speakers rallied the crowd with chants of “Our Streets” and “Kill The Bill”.
Journalists’ union puts pressure on Rishi Sunak to use his budget to support UK journalism
Rishi Sunak is facing calls from the National Union of Journalists to use his budget statement tomorrow to pledge investment towards public interest journalism, to prevent democracies being undermined.
Breathing life back into Tom Paine’s bones – graphic novel aims to resurrect neglected political reformer
Thomas Paine was a radical human rights and political reform advocate whose work inspired the American Revolution and the formation of a democratic United States.
Artist Paul Fitzgerald is determined to re-tell the story of this forgotten hero whose work still has valid lessons to be learned in these stormy times for democracies worldwide. Kickstarter campaign aims to get this graphic novel project over the finish line. Paul answers The Meteor’s questions on why he wants to graphically re-tell Tom’s story to a new audience.
Government overhaul of planning system ‘absolute sham’ says Manchester councillor
Councillors, researchers and campaigners are united in their criticism of new government plans that will see planning powers taken away from local authorities. The government’s plans to overhaul the planning system in England has been met with fierce criticism from politicians, researchers, and campaigners in Manchester. While Boris Johnson says the changes will make it […]
Proposed changes to controversial ‘Shudehill Shard’ pushed through under emergency powers
The controversial 17-storey ‘Shudehill Shard’ development has had a planning application amendment approved by Manchester City Council today under emergency powers. The published decision was also accompanied by a statement saying full scrutiny of planning proposals would recommence in July with the reinstatement of the planning committee.