Cllr. Helen Thornton
@labourhelen.bsky.social
Labour councillor for Uphill ward on North Somerset Council and Weston super Mare Town Council, Trade Unionist, art and music enthusiast, birder.
Brilliant documentary:
Poison Water: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002mshv via @bbciplayer
Poison Water: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002mshv via @bbciplayer
Poison Water
When tap water turns toxic in Cornwall, a public health disaster leads to accusations of a cover-up and the search for the truth. The story of Britain’s biggest mass poisoning.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Brilliant documentary:
Poison Water: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002mshv via @bbciplayer
Poison Water: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002mshv via @bbciplayer
I asked this question 2 months ago - since then costs have risen for taking flags down and repainting roundabouts and zebra crossings. BBC News - Removing flags 'cost council same as filling 200 potholes'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Removing flags 'cost council same as filling 200 potholes'
North Somerset Council says repainting road markings and taking down flags has cost it £6,000 to date.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I asked this question 2 months ago - since then costs have risen for taking flags down and repainting roundabouts and zebra crossings. BBC News - Removing flags 'cost council same as filling 200 potholes'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This is very sad for our town. These murals are part of our annual street art festival Weston Wallz which brings a lot of visitors to Weston. This vandalism really isn't patriotic at all. BBC News - Weston-super-Mare street art graffitied with red crosses
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Weston-super-Mare street art graffitied with red crosses
Police are investigating after a number of murals in a seaside town had crosses painted over them.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 9:54 PM
This is very sad for our town. These murals are part of our annual street art festival Weston Wallz which brings a lot of visitors to Weston. This vandalism really isn't patriotic at all. BBC News - Weston-super-Mare street art graffitied with red crosses
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Are you looking after a loved one in North Somerset? Whether you’re helping someone to do their shopping, or giving full time care, please take part in this consultation to help shape the future of support for carers where you live. All info at this link: www.banescarerscentre.org.uk/nscc
November 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Are you looking after a loved one in North Somerset? Whether you’re helping someone to do their shopping, or giving full time care, please take part in this consultation to help shape the future of support for carers where you live. All info at this link: www.banescarerscentre.org.uk/nscc
Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton
“Scrapping the cruel two-child benefit cap is a victory for thousands of working families. But the government must go further and faster if it wants to fix Britain." Christina McAnea, UNISON
UNISON budget response: unsn.uk/4ikScG1
UNISON budget response: unsn.uk/4ikScG1
November 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
“Scrapping the cruel two-child benefit cap is a victory for thousands of working families. But the government must go further and faster if it wants to fix Britain." Christina McAnea, UNISON
UNISON budget response: unsn.uk/4ikScG1
UNISON budget response: unsn.uk/4ikScG1
Caught the second half of a wonderful concert by Wakefield Youth Orchestra at Wakefield Cathedral last night.
November 25, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Caught the second half of a wonderful concert by Wakefield Youth Orchestra at Wakefield Cathedral last night.
PLEASE DO THIS! We have just a few days to STOP plans to load up the NHS with new private finance debts in the Autumn Budget. I've just emailed my MP to sign @catecclesstour's motion. Take 2 mins to email your MP too. weownit.org.uk/act-now/no-pfi
Just 5 days to STOP new NHS private finance debts - take action now
Your MP can help STOP plans for new private finance debts in our NHs in the Autumn Budget
weownit.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:17 PM
PLEASE DO THIS! We have just a few days to STOP plans to load up the NHS with new private finance debts in the Autumn Budget. I've just emailed my MP to sign @catecclesstour's motion. Take 2 mins to email your MP too. weownit.org.uk/act-now/no-pfi
PFI shackled public services with huge debt when it was used previously. What seems like an easy option has serious long term consequences.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Labour MPs urge Reeves to drop private finance plans for NHS buildings
Chancellor told PFI-style schemes familiar from New Labour era are ‘fiscal illusion’ offering no value for money
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:33 AM
PFI shackled public services with huge debt when it was used previously. What seems like an easy option has serious long term consequences.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton
Excellent letter from our friend and former MP @mgreenwood2024.bsky.social
"The government should be urgently seeking to put an end to the use of the private sector, not promoting it. If it fails to do so, who will train the surgeons of the future?"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
"The government should be urgently seeking to put an end to the use of the private sector, not promoting it. If it fails to do so, who will train the surgeons of the future?"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Labour is privatising the NHS in plain sight | Letter
Letter: Private appointments, tests and operations are a grave threat to the future of the health service, writes Margaret Greenwood
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Excellent letter from our friend and former MP @mgreenwood2024.bsky.social
"The government should be urgently seeking to put an end to the use of the private sector, not promoting it. If it fails to do so, who will train the surgeons of the future?"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
"The government should be urgently seeking to put an end to the use of the private sector, not promoting it. If it fails to do so, who will train the surgeons of the future?"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton
Chrissie's got a message for Wes Streeting. No more private finance in our NHS!
✍️Sign our petition today
vist.ly/4f64x
✍️Sign our petition today
vist.ly/4f64x
November 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Chrissie's got a message for Wes Streeting. No more private finance in our NHS!
✍️Sign our petition today
vist.ly/4f64x
✍️Sign our petition today
vist.ly/4f64x
Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton
Tony O'Sullivan has a stark message for Wes Streeting.
Bringing back private finance into the NHS is a betrayal of your principles.
Agree? Sign our petition:
vist.ly/4f69b
Bringing back private finance into the NHS is a betrayal of your principles.
Agree? Sign our petition:
vist.ly/4f69b
November 19, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Tony O'Sullivan has a stark message for Wes Streeting.
Bringing back private finance into the NHS is a betrayal of your principles.
Agree? Sign our petition:
vist.ly/4f69b
Bringing back private finance into the NHS is a betrayal of your principles.
Agree? Sign our petition:
vist.ly/4f69b
Housing benefit no longer covers the true cost of private rent – and it’s forcing people into poverty, ill health and homelessness. That’s plain wrong.
I’ve asked the Chancellor to fix it with the Autumn Budget. Will you join me?
campaigns.crisis.org.uk/page/176409/...
I’ve asked the Chancellor to fix it with the Autumn Budget. Will you join me?
campaigns.crisis.org.uk/page/176409/...
Email the Chancellor: restore housing benefit to match the cost of rent | Crisis UK
Rachel Reeves must use the Autumn budget to unfreeze housing benefit. Take action now.
campaigns.crisis.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Housing benefit no longer covers the true cost of private rent – and it’s forcing people into poverty, ill health and homelessness. That’s plain wrong.
I’ve asked the Chancellor to fix it with the Autumn Budget. Will you join me?
campaigns.crisis.org.uk/page/176409/...
I’ve asked the Chancellor to fix it with the Autumn Budget. Will you join me?
campaigns.crisis.org.uk/page/176409/...
Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton
🕐In just over a week Rachel Reeves will be revealing the Autumn budget.
We’re making sure the government knows that its proposals for private finance are not welcome in our NHS.
✍️Write to your MP - give them all the facts about NHS private finance by reading our briefing.
We’re making sure the government knows that its proposals for private finance are not welcome in our NHS.
✍️Write to your MP - give them all the facts about NHS private finance by reading our briefing.
🕐In just over a week Rachel Reeves will be revealing the Autumn budget.
We’re making sure the government knows that its proposals for private finance are not welcome in our NHS.
✍️Write to your MP - give them all the facts about NHS private finance by reading our briefing.
This government is considering introducing more private finance into our NHS, with a decision to be made at the Autumn Budget.
weownit.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 1:52 PM
🕐In just over a week Rachel Reeves will be revealing the Autumn budget.
We’re making sure the government knows that its proposals for private finance are not welcome in our NHS.
✍️Write to your MP - give them all the facts about NHS private finance by reading our briefing.
We’re making sure the government knows that its proposals for private finance are not welcome in our NHS.
✍️Write to your MP - give them all the facts about NHS private finance by reading our briefing.
Pay them fairly - the cost is only one quarter of the Chief Exec's annual salary! @unisonsw.bsky.social
www.unison.org.uk/news/2025/11...
www.unison.org.uk/news/2025/11...
Phlebotomists mark longest-running strike of NHS workers in history with Gloucester rally, says UNISON - UNISON National
Settling dispute could be done for fraction of chief executive's salary
www.unison.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Pay them fairly - the cost is only one quarter of the Chief Exec's annual salary! @unisonsw.bsky.social
www.unison.org.uk/news/2025/11...
www.unison.org.uk/news/2025/11...
I’m standing against Farage’s politics. Join the Never Nigel movement and help show that Reform UK isn’t the answer: hopenothate.org.uk/are-you-a-never-nigel/ @hopenothate.org.uk
Take the Pledge: “I’ll never vote for Nigel Farage”
Join thousands across Britain taking the Never Nigel Pledge. Say no to hate and division and help stop Reform UK from tearing apart our communities. Let's show there is strength in standing together f...
hopenothate.org.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I’m standing against Farage’s politics. Join the Never Nigel movement and help show that Reform UK isn’t the answer: hopenothate.org.uk/are-you-a-never-nigel/ @hopenothate.org.uk
Have been for my flu jab this morning. Please get yours if you are eligible.
November 17, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Have been for my flu jab this morning. Please get yours if you are eligible.
Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton
The problem of PFI explained in 60 seconds 👇
November 15, 2025 at 11:54 AM
The problem of PFI explained in 60 seconds 👇
Very worrying...
BBC News - Firm run by NHS doctors makes millions charging to cut wait lists - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Firm run by NHS doctors makes millions charging to cut wait lists - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Firm run by NHS doctors makes millions charging to cut wait lists
A union has raised concerns private firms are
www.bbc.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Very worrying...
BBC News - Firm run by NHS doctors makes millions charging to cut wait lists - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Firm run by NHS doctors makes millions charging to cut wait lists - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton
The NHS is struggling under the weight of long-term PFI debts
Yet this government are considering bringing in more private finance at the Autumn budget ⁉️
Patients must come before profit. Add your name to the petition 👇
vist.ly/4epjz
Yet this government are considering bringing in more private finance at the Autumn budget ⁉️
Patients must come before profit. Add your name to the petition 👇
vist.ly/4epjz
November 16, 2025 at 8:26 AM
The NHS is struggling under the weight of long-term PFI debts
Yet this government are considering bringing in more private finance at the Autumn budget ⁉️
Patients must come before profit. Add your name to the petition 👇
vist.ly/4epjz
Yet this government are considering bringing in more private finance at the Autumn budget ⁉️
Patients must come before profit. Add your name to the petition 👇
vist.ly/4epjz
Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton
Private finance means that you - as a taxpayer - pay many times over for the same thing.
Say no to new NHS private finance. Make sure your name is on the petition 👇
vist.ly/4eai4
Say no to new NHS private finance. Make sure your name is on the petition 👇
vist.ly/4eai4
November 13, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Private finance means that you - as a taxpayer - pay many times over for the same thing.
Say no to new NHS private finance. Make sure your name is on the petition 👇
vist.ly/4eai4
Say no to new NHS private finance. Make sure your name is on the petition 👇
vist.ly/4eai4
Please get your flu jab if you are eligible.
Flu spreads more easily in autumn when we spend time together indoors. If you are eligible the flu vaccine can help protect you from getting seriously ill. Find out more about the free NHS flu vaccine at grabajab.net or watch this film www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8tz... #winterstrong
November 13, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Please get your flu jab if you are eligible.
Who votes Reform - analysis here.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The real Reform voters have been revealed – it’s a slapdash coalition Farage will struggle to hold together | Aditya Chakrabortty
This is no single bloc marching under one ideology, or even a mass of ‘red-wall’ voters. What unites them is a desire for something different, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Who votes Reform - analysis here.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Remembrance Day on the hill at Uphill. Thanks to the Village Society for organising and to students from Westhaven School, Uphill Village Academy and Broadoak Academy.
November 11, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Remembrance Day on the hill at Uphill. Thanks to the Village Society for organising and to students from Westhaven School, Uphill Village Academy and Broadoak Academy.