News

Countdown to elections on May 6… have you got your postal vote yet?

Elections will be held on Thursday May 6 for both the borough and county council, after last year’s borough elections were postponed. So in Hastings & St Leonards you will have two votes. How can I vote? Because of Covid restrictions, we are encouraging supporters to vote early by post. Although there will be polling booths open on the day. You can download a form from Hastings Borough Council. If you’re in Rother, email: [email protected] The deadline Read more…

By Rick Dillon, ago

After Sarah Everard, it’s happening here: attacks on women spark anger and demands for change

by Ann Kramer “We shouldn’t have to be jaywalking alone into our future. We shouldn’t have to hope we get home safe. We should be certain that we will.” That’s how Megan, a local woman and women’s rights activist in her early 20s, finished her powerful testimony at an online vigil for Sarah Everard, whose murdered body was found in woodland in Kent on 10 March, and Blessing Olusegun, who was found dead on Bexhill Read more…

By Rick Dillon, ago

And we’re off! But what a strange election campaign it’s turning out to be

Labour candidates, with their bright red rosettes, have been seen on the streets in recent weeks – Covid guidelines permitting – to begin what everyone acknowledges to be one of the strangest election campaigns in modern times. Social distancing has precluded mass canvasses, concern about spreading infection has limited person-to-person contact. Many conversations instead have taken place by phone. Door-to-door canvassing has only recently begun in some areas. The first election address is being delivered, not Read more…

By Rick Dillon, ago

It’s been a tough year for the town, but kindness and cooperation are seeing us through

Hastings Council leader Kim Forward reflects on a very difficult year for the town – and what we all need to do now Last week (23 March) we marked a year since we went into the first lockdown and it has been a very difficult year, with many sad times. My thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones. I would like to thank everyone, whether as part of an organisation or not, who Read more…

By Rick Dillon, ago

It’s a clean sweep for Labour’s council-run street cleaners

The word on the streets is: things are looking a lot better in Hastings under Labour. Since the council took control of the borough’s street cleaning operation in 2019, the town has continued to see a significant improvement in levels of litter, graffiti, detritus, and flyposting. Out of the 300 borough roads inspected in the latest independent performance review, 99% passed at an acceptable standard. This is a significant 6.4% improvement when compared with the Read more…

By Rick Dillon, ago

Racism is everywhere, but it can be challenged, say speakers in party Zoom call

Imagine your son comes home to tell you that you a woman stopped him from playing on the swings with the other children. And another time, browsing in a newsagents, he is all but accused of trying to shoplift. You would be outraged, yes?  Or you are walking down the street when an altercation breaks out. Someone is being targeted with a stream of racial abuse. What would you do? Back to your boy: he Read more…

By Rick Dillon, ago

Steve Thorpe: ‘It all starts with listening to peoples’ concerns’

Steve Thorpe is your candidate for Maze Hill Steve has always championed people’s rights, during his working life as an active trade unionist, negotiating better conditions for his members. And as chair of his local residents’ association, he encouraged the residents towards improving the environment on the estate where they live. He is now retired, but still helps out as a member of Optivo’s sheltered housing team. Steve believes listening is the key to being Read more…

By Rick Dillon, ago

Godfrey Daniel: ‘I don’t always promise to succeed but I promise to try’

Godfrey Daniel is your candidate for the county division of Braybrooke & Castle Godfrey has first elected for this seat in 1997 and has been re-elected ever since. A former JP and borough councillor, he has a wealth of experience and is particularly pleased that he managed to secure over £9 million to refurbish Hastings Library. He has also been instrumental in the county declaring a climate emergency. Godfrey lives in the area he represents and Read more…

By Rick Dillon, ago

Liam Crowter: ‘I hope to be the voice of young people’

Liam Crowter is your candidate for Ashdown ward and the county division of Brede & Marsham Liam believes that a post-Covid future should embrace the needs of poorly-paid essential workers who made so many sacrifices on our behalf. At 27, Liam, born and raised in Hastings, is one of the youngest chairs of Hastings & Rye Labour party. He says: “I hope also to be the voice of young people who too often are not Read more…

By Rick Dillon, ago

Brian Bostock: ‘I will strive for support services so badly needed post-Covid’

Brian Bostock is your candidate for Conquest ward Brian’s experience in the NHS make him uniquely qualified to take on the challenges of representing this ward. A registered nurse, he fought for a better deal for members as vice-chair of the Royal College of Nursing, and has been a Labour parliamentary candidate. He says: “Covid hit residents in this area hard, from work pressures to illness and isolation. If elected I will strive for the Read more…

By Rick Dillon, ago

Sabina Arthur: ‘I want to address inequality in Braybrooke’

Sabina Arthur is your candidate for Braybrooke ward Sabina is a community organiser and activist, currently co-leading on domestic abuse awareness projects with Hastings charity, Women’s Voice. She also campaigns on animal rights, anti-austerity, ethnic minority inclusion and community engagement. She says: “I want to address inequality in Braybrooke. I know that there is a large wealth gap here and that many people live with pressures of zero-hours contracts and insecure housing. As a councillor, I would Read more…

By Rick Dillon, ago