Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
shirleyfordgreen.bsky.social
Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
@shirleyfordgreen.bsky.social
Green Party councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon ward, S. Tyneside
Group Spokesperson for Voluntary Sector, Partnerships & Equalities
Mum, gardener, singer, tai chi | She/Her

Published & promoted by Shirley Ford (Green Party) c/o 214 Mowbray Rd, NE33 3BE
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
South Tyneside’s Labour majority council suffered a second defeat of their proposed Local Plan after the Green Group of 9 councillors voted against it, along with others.

The plan was roundly defeated with 23 votes in favour and 27 votes against.

More detail to follow soon…
February 27, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
This landmark decision underscores South Tyneside Green Party’s unwavering commitment to tackling child poverty and holding decision-makers accountable for prioritising austerity over the well-being of children and families.
January 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
"This vote sends a strong message that South Tyneside will not stand by while families are forced into deeper poverty. It’s a step towards fairness and dignity for every child, no matter their circumstances."
January 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
Councillor Nicky Gynn, representing West Park ward, also spoke movingly about her own personal experiences as a lone parent and expressed pride in the motion's success:
January 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
“…Thank you to those Labour members who showed true courage and moral leadership in putting the needs of vulnerable children first, rather than towing the party line. As I said in the chamber this evening, to all those still supporting this policy - do better. Just do better!"
January 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
"The two-child cap is a cruel and unnecessary policy that targets the most vulnerable in South Tyneside and throughout the country. Tonight’s vote proves that compassion and reason can prevail…
January 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
David Francis, Green Group leader and councillor for Beacon and Bents ward, hailed the outcome as a triumph for justice and evidence-based policymaking:
January 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
Research from institutions such as the Universities of York and Newcastle shows that scrapping the policy would be one of the most effective measures to alleviate child poverty.
January 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
Introduced by the Conservative government in 2017, the policy restricts child tax credit and universal credit to the first two children in most households. Criticised as a major driver of child poverty, the cap has been condemned by experts, universities, and charities alike.
January 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
During the meeting, Labour leader Tracey Dixon was audibly heard putting pressure on Labour members to vote against the motion. Despite her intervention, several Labour councillors defied party lines, demonstrating a growing unease within their ranks over the policy.
January 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
Despite initial resistance and attempts by Labour councillors to water down the motion, a surprising number broke ranks, voting in favour or abstaining—a move that defied their national party's staunch position on maintaining the cap.
January 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
In a significant victory for child poverty reduction, South Tyneside Green Party's motion to call on the Labour government to abolish the two-child benefit cap was passed at the full council meeting on Thursday, January 23rd.
January 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
❗️Historic Win: South Tyneside Greens Force Council to Back Scrapping of Two-Child Benefit Cap!

⬇️ Read more in comments
January 24, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
Moon dressed up as Uranus
November 17, 2024 at 2:42 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
This is good but it nowhere near matches the idiotic subsidy given to private motorists by the fuel duty freeze.

What's a billion pounds when we need to provide a service people can use to get to work and to their leisure activities every day?
www.gov.uk/government/n...
£1 billion government funding boost for bus services across England to help end postcode lottery
Funding will keep fares down, protect local routes and deliver more reliable services.
www.gov.uk
November 17, 2024 at 8:31 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
It’s a Green takeover of #FollowBackFriday as the world comes together for #COP29 and the planet cries out for help

We must work together towards a compassionate sustainable future for people and planet

It’s time for a #GreenNewDeal
Happy #FollowGreenFriday 💚🌍
November 15, 2024 at 8:38 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
Look I’m just a girl with a PhD and some data who testifies to legislative committees full of men who tell me CO2 is plant food and the climate’s always changing and now you want me to stand up for pasteurized milk, Darwin, and the germ theory of disease? Sure. But you’re gonna need more biologists.
November 15, 2024 at 12:33 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
I could really use a vacation on a beach somewhere… Just a little break. 2-4 years. That’s all.
November 15, 2024 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
We have to stop treating planet as a dumping ground.

"Generative AI applications alone could add 1.2 million to 5 million metric tons of this hazardous trash by 2030."

#PlanetaryBoundaries #PublicHealth
www.scientificamerican.com/article/gene...
Generative AI Could Generate Millions More Tons of E-Waste by 2030
Generative AI could saddle the planet with heaps more hazardous waste
www.scientificamerican.com
November 16, 2024 at 9:04 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
I see Trump is preparing America for the next pandemic.
At least the falling life expectancy graphs will correlate nicely with Republican Presidencies and then people will learn what to do about it. Won't they? 🤔
November 15, 2024 at 9:04 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
IPP sentences were a Labour government's mistake, my fellow @thegreenparty.bsky.social peer Jenny Jones says.

Resentencing is the only way to address this unique injustice.

We cannot claim to have a #Justice system while we have a cruel injustice like this.
Watch here www.parliamentlive.tv/Lords
Parliamentlive.tv - Lords
www.parliamentlive.tv
November 15, 2024 at 11:04 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
Anyone else get pre-Christmas anxiety?

Growing up in a low income house with significant money worries and then as a young single mam, taking on the perceived judgement around ‘number of gifts = love for your child’
That stuff has stayed with me and still triggers me when November hits…
November 15, 2024 at 11:22 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
Morning everyone 💙
Lovely here isn't it?

Cos I'm a michief maker, I'm continuing to jab the right wingers and the bots over on X but not bothering to read the replies 😉.....it's too easy to wind them up. Even a shot of a waterfall got them going the other day!!!! 😂

Happy here 💙💙
November 16, 2024 at 8:24 AM
Reposted by Cllr Shirley Ford - Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon
Green Libraries Conference - Looking forward to it!

www.cilip.org.uk/page/greenli...
November 15, 2024 at 3:27 PM