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”.
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.
One in 23 deaths in Greater Manchester is now linked to air pollution
One in 23 deaths in Greater Manchester is linked to long-term exposure to air pollution, new research shows. Research from Centre for Cities has revealed that one in 23 (4.3%) deaths in Greater Manchester is linked to long-term exposure to air pollution. The only area in the North West with a higher proportion of air […]
Mayor Andy Burnham announces plans to make Greater Manchester a ‘Co-operative Zone’
Making progress on his previous promise to make Greater Manchester “the most co-operative region in the UK” Andy Burnham releases the report to turn that plan into a reality. Mayor Andy Burnham announced plans to turn Greater Manchester (GM) into a designated ‘Co-operative Zone’, with dedicated resources to offer business advice and support for new […]
Yellow and Blue divide of Hong Kong reaches Manchester
Ex-resident of Hong Kong Dale Anne McAulay talks to migrants from Hong Kong, living in Manchester, about the current political struggles in the region. As the pro-democracy protest movement in Hong Kong continues its struggle for a more inclusive politics, a divide has formed in the region. Yellow is the colour adopted by the pro-democracy […]
Sir Richard Leese says ‘we are open to working with anybody’ – we asked campaign groups what they thought (pt.3)
In response to a recent blog post by Sir Richard Leese, we’ve been asking local groups to share their experiences of working Manchester City Council. Sir Richard Leese says the council are open to working with any parties interested in environmental and development issues. The following article by Pete Abel of Manchester Friends of the […]
Unrest in Hong Kong and The Peterloo Massacre: is history repeating itself?
“Those that cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana 1863-1952 The Peterloo Massacre and the events surrounding it are considered to be pivotal in the UK ‘s history towards obtaining universal suffrage. 200 years later, we are again witnessing the same process going on in Hong Kong where the cry for […]
Addressing climate breakdown will take a movement from below and the left in power
By Manchester Momentum and Manchester Labour for a Green New Deal: Extinction Rebellion gave a powerful demonstration of peaceful civil resistance last weekend. By occupying Deansgate they stood in the best of Manchester’s traditions of protest. Manchester Momentum and Manchester Labour for a Green New Deal are proud to stand in solidarity with these campaigners […]