On Monday 2 September, the Labour Party held a rally at the Lowry in Salford. I’d only received notification of it the night before, but even at such short notice it was an opportunity not to be missed. A snap general election is likely, and Labour is getting their message out while the current government […]
There’s no Pride in Abu Dhabi, yet the council is still in bed with this abusive state
Manchester Pride is a wonderful life affirming event that highlights the progress made in accepting sexual and gender preference diversity in the UK, and the many changes we still need to make to provide LGBT+ people with equal rights and opportunities. Manchester City Council (MCC) is broadcasting its support for the event, but these words […]
Ancoats residents flex their civic muscles and green fingers in fight for a ‘Peoples Park’
Residents are organising to turn a former retail site into green public space in defiance of council plans for a 440-space car park. The controversial proposal follows several contested planning decisions in Ancoats and Northern Quarter. Locals are staking a claim to the land for a ‘Peoples Park’. […]
Mike Leigh hopes small independent media can ‘grow and be heard’ to counter failings in modern media landscape
To round up a host of events to commemorate the bicentenary of Peterloo over the weekend, acclaimed film director Mike Leigh attended a screening of his film Peterloo, at HOME Manchester, and answered the audiences questions on it’s relevance for life in the UK today. Film director Mike Leigh invited us all to join him […]
March for Democracy, to honour the fallen at Peterloo and plan for future reforms
The March for Democracy, this Sunday 18 August, will pay tribute to those demanding democratic reform who were slaughtered by government forces 200 years ago at Peterloo. The rally will also look to the future, asking how we can reform democracy, to make it fit for the 21st century. It’s the bicentenary of the Peterloo […]
‘There are no co-ops in Moneyland’- author Oliver Bullough at the Co-op Congress in Manchester (pt.2)
The previous episode of this story outlined Oliver Bullough’s concept of Moneyland, which he reports on in his latest book and explained to the Co-operative Congress in Manchester. It describes a complex Steal-Hide-Spend system used by affluent people across the world, often in positions of power, who by corruption or other illegal activities steal huge […]
Coffee Cranks say ‘Co-operatives Rock!’
Search for Coffee Cranks on Google and the first hit listed for this Manchester based ethically minded catering crew states “Co-operatives Rock!”. A sentiment that The Meteor agrees with wholeheartedly, as we have just incorporated as a co-op this month. Coffee Cranks Co-operative was founded back in 2013 with mobile coffee carts designed and built […]
Manchester’s media co-operative takes wing: we need your help to make it soar
The Meteor media co-operative was launched on Thursday 4 July, a date we have adopted as Manchester’s media Independence Day. Manchester’s citizens and community organisations gathered at the Methodist Central Hall for an evening of performance, celebration and active discussion on the current state of our local media and how together, through a co-operative model of […]
Manchester declares a climate emergency: what next?
By Manchester Labour for a Green New Deal: Manchester City Council declared a climate emergency on Wednesday. In following the lead of Parliament, which made history by being the first in the world to declare an emergency on the 1 May 2019, the council add their name to a growing list of public bodies that […]
In Miles Platting – whose knowledge matters?
Manchester is undergoing incredibly rapid change. Construction cranes dot the skyline of the city in increasing numbers and they appear to be steadily migrating out of the centre. Change is also occurring due to austerity driven cuts which are limiting the availability of local public services, and changes in shopping habits are having a devastating […]