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Greens urge Labour leadership to support a People’s Vote

Green councillors call for the local Labour group to speak out for anti-Brexit, Brighton and Hove and support a People’s Vote.

Local Green councillors are calling on the Labour Council to speak out against a damaging Brexit deal for the city and back a People’s Vote.

Council reports have revealed that Brighton and Hove faces a local funding and jobs crisis if the UK crashes out of the European Union.

Ahead of a series of critical votes on the UK’s future deal with the European Union in Parliament, Greens have called on the Labour Council to publicly lobby the Labour Party leadership for better support and protection for Brighton and Hove in the face of Brexit disruption.

An analysis of the impact of various Brexit ‘scenarios’ requested by the Green Group of Councillors has revealed that key sectors in the city’s economy such as tourism, hospitality and healthcare would be hit hard by the confusion over the status of EU migrants, workforce visas and border regulations.

A ‘no-deal’ Brexit could also leave the city facing an EU funding ‘black hole’ of up to £1.7m.

Green councillors maintain that while they have been pushing for impact assessments, advocating for Brighton and Hove to remain a key EU partner, and supporting residents petitioning for a People’s Vote, the Labour Council has let residents down by failing to speak out against a catastrophic Brexit deal.

Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty
Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty

Convenor of the Green Group of Councillors, Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty, said: “Our city rejected Brexit. We call on Labour Councillors to join us to make clear that any deal from Theresa May will make life harder for residents who are already struggling the most. The Conservative government wasted two and a half years and their deal will almost certainly fall tonight.

“As a result a disastrous no-deal Brexit is a very real prospect but that’s why we’re calling on Labour Councillors to lobby the Labour Party leadership to get behind a People’s Vote.

“In the absence of a clear national position, Brighton and Hove’s local Labour-led Council has sadly let residents down over Brexit. It was Green Party Councillors who pushed for an assessment of the impact of leaving the European Union. That analysis makes for grim reading: grants to our EU funded council services uncertain, supply chains disrupted, staffing shortages in our local NHS and tourism industry. It has never been clearer: as a city we simply cannot afford Brexit.”

He added: “250 local projects could stand to lose EU funding after Brexit and it’s clear we can’t simply stand by and adopt the Labour Council’s ‘wait and see’ approach. Locally, Greens pushed our Council to become the first to formally back calls for a People’s Vote. We have advocated for our city to remain a key partner in EU funding discussions. Greens are clear that we must remain a city of sanctuary for migrants – and argue strongly for freedom of movement.

“Between a deal that will mean hardship for our city and no deal that will mean catastrophe, we demand an end to this Brexit chaos. The Conservative Government has failed to lead in the national interests and our city deserves to have a say on what our future should look like. A People’s Vote is the only way forward.”

Responding for the administration, a Labour group spokesperson said:  “The council passed a Notice of Motion in December 2017 that the Chief Executive would write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government expressing this Council’s and this city’s strong desire for a referendum on the final terms of a Brexit deal, including the option to maintain full EU membership. So the position of the Labour council is already in support of a referendum on the final terms, and Councillor Yates has also commented publicly on the significant risks for the city of Brexit. It is appalling that a failing Tory government has not only imposed the harshest of austerity measures on residents for the last 8 years, but is now causing Brexit chaos as well.”

Share a cup of tea with Samaritans on Brew Monday

Blue Monday, the third Monday of January; is supposedly the most difficult day of the year for many of us. The Samaritans are putting a whole different slant on the day renaming it Brew Monday.

ON Monday, January 21, Samaritans are encouraging people to take time out of their busy day to share a friendly cuppa and a chat so that everyone can banish those January Blues together.

Brighton, Hove and District Samaritans are encouraging people to spend time with friends, family, neighbours or work mates and lend a listening ear over a brew.

All over the UK and Ireland in communities and workplaces people will also be putting the kettle on and selling cakes and treats to raise funds for Samaritans’ life-saving work.

Life is tough – it can be tough all year round – and anyone can feel overwhelmed, but Samaritans knows how much encouraging someone to talk if they are struggling can help them find a way through.

Having a cuppa is a great excuse to take time to listen and, who knows, it might save a life. It’s little acts like this that can make a difference to someone who may be feeling lonely.

More than a hundred rail stations across England, Scotland and Wales are joining in and Brighton, Hove and District Samaritans volunteers will be handing out Brew Monday tea bags at Brighton Station from 6.30am to 7pm. The teabags will be branded with Samaritans free to call 116 123 number, and talking to commuters about listening and the services they provide.

Alison Pratt
Alison Pratt

Alison Pratt, volunteer and branch director said: “This is the biggest ‘Brew Monday’ event so far with over 30 volunteers from Brighton Hove and District Samaritans in attendance at the station throughout the day.

“We firmly believe that we all have a responsibility to look out for each other’s wellbeing. Showing you are ready to take time and listen can really help as a first step. We want people to talk to each other, and to us, before they feel overwhelmed. That way, together we will save lives.”


You can call Samaritans for free anytime from any phone on 116 123

To email Samaritans, click here:

To view the Samaritans website, click here:

Or call Brighton, Hove and District Samaritans on 01273 772277.

Samaritans respond to more than 5.4 million calls for help every year. To answer just one call costs them £4.26.

To make a donation, click here:

 

 

MUSIC REVIEW: Wanna hear 2019’s version of a heartbroken ballard?

In the run up to her fast approaching album’s release, we take a look at pop newbie Call me loop’s latest cheeky dance bop that celebrates breaking up, Silly Boy.

LIGHT, playful vocals bounce along a line of synthetic drum taps as Call me loop introduces us to 2019’s incarnation of a heart-broken ballard. Almost mirroring the vocal rhythms of Shawn MendesThere’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back, the chirpy voice of Loop takes over the main meat of encouraging track Silly Boy, forcing each of the simple drum patters into the very back of the room, as she exclaims (with what i imagine to be a smug smirk of enjoyment) “Used to joke about my age, but now who’s acting young?” in a sweet sort of victory. Bubbling like an excited child in a candystore, the gleeful singer’s cantabile style vocal intensifies in its new found glory as the lyrics continue “not gonna waste my breath, I’ll just let you do you,” allowing the track’s alluring verse to pull us in further to the song’s story.

For the third track from her soon to be released album Drama, the Surrey born Brixton local seemingly channels Lilly Allen‘s cheeky punk style, complete with a charmingly potent English twang, in order to craft a rather tongue in cheek play on the aftermath of a broken relationship. As the young artist explains herself, the minimalistic carefree track encapsulates the feeling of weightless freedom after breaking up with that ex (that’s not quite an ex but technically is- you get the point), and the bright burst of energy that can hit you afterwards.

And as the gentle prechorus quickly approaches, gearing us up for a subtle wave of empowering chorus, the artist switches up the instrumentation, adding in a few synth chords to instead embody a soft and sweet feel. “so go run a mile, cos you’re scared of my smile,” she playful quips, whilst more drum taps and drawn out synth notes join in on the lighthearted anthem.

Suddenly all of the tip-tapping electronic instruments drain out, leaving behind a residue of choppy drum thuds, and the cheeky chorus takes over. “silly, silly boy,” Loop’s tutting voice mocks. “silly, silly boy,” she teases as the drums almost clap along to her ridicule filled jabs.

With a subtle texture, and refined use of electronic drums and masterful vocals, Call me loop has crafted a pleasant piece of empowering pop that’s just perfect for a summer’s morning. Each sharp quip seems to fully absorb the overall vibe of Ariana Grande‘s Thank you next, poking fun at the break down of an almost would-be relationship with light humour and playfulness.

Overall, this seems to be great track for 2019’s heartbroken to bop along to.

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