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Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 11h

Saw this in Bristol last night - brilliant.

Townsend Theatre Productions @townsendprod.bsky.social · 7d

Check out this amazing review for #Wearethelions #Grunwick

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Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton

Shelter @sheltercharity.bsky.social · 3d

BREAKING: The Renters’ Rights Bill has gained Royal Assent🚨

Renters are finally on the path to saying goodbye to unfair Section 21 evictions and welcoming our new rights.❤️

We’re waiting for the Govt to announce when the changes will be implemented.

#RentersRightsAct

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Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton

Citizens Advice @citizensadvice.bsky.social · 3d

📢 Last night, the Renters Rights Act finally became law.

We’ve been campaigning for this for years. Read more about the bill and what it means for you ⤵️
https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/the-renters-rights-act-is-here-but-the-work-is-just-beginning-1308fb226853

Image shows an illustration of a yellow house. Text reads, 'The Renters' Rights Act is here. What does it mean for you?'

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Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 5d

Some nice new street art in Glastonbury - well new to me anyway.

Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton

Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 6d

Reform UK Councils
Council Tax increases

Durham: 4.9%
Worcestershire: 5-10%
Warwickshire: ~5%
Leicestershire: 3%
Kent: 5%
Lincolnshire: 2%+
Staffordshire: ~5%
West Northamptonshire: 5%
Derbyshire: 4.9%
North Northamptonshire: amount TBD
Nottinghamshire: amount TBD
Lancashire: amount TBD

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Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton

Mainstream @mainstreamlabour.bsky.social · 7d

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🌹A statement from Mainstream's Interim Council on Labour's tragic loss in Caerphilly.

We will be wiped out in Wales next May without a major reset.

Labour’s historic defeat in Caerphilly is a tragedy, but not a surprise. So long as UK Labour governs without a clear vision and story to tell people who we are, detached from its moral purpose and democratic socialist foundations, losses like this will only become the norm

A majority of voters in Caerphilly turned to Plaid Cymru and a significant number to Reform because they want change. The only way to resist this is by offering a popular, principled and practical left politics that can transform the country by raising living standards, redistributing power and wealth, and securing a stake for everyone in a national community that guarantees the essentials of a good life for all.

That requires rejecting the hyper-factional culture determined to concentrate power at the top of the party. Instead, Labour must draw upon the wisdom, talent, and energy of its whole movement to build an offer that can inspire the public.

Time is short. We promised the British people a decade of national renewal. Their patience is wearing thin, and their faith in Labour is slipping away. To win it back, we must reconnect Labour with its mainstream.

The result is clear - Labour will be wiped out in Wales next May without a major reset.

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Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 9d

Helios by @lukejerram.bsky.social at @bristolcathedral.bsky.social today.

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Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 9d

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Real living wage to rise by almost 7% in boost for low-paid UK workers

Hourly rate to increase in April by 95p to £14.80 in London and by 85p to £13.45 for the rest of the country

www.theguardian.com

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Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 10d

Not surprising...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

Welfare cuts have fuelled rise of far right and populism, top UN expert says

Exclusive: Poverty rapporteur says governments must rethink welfare state as essential to fabric of society

www.theguardian.com

Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 11d

Wonderful Diwali celebration this evening in Weston super Mare.

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Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 11d

Happy Diwali.

Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 13d

Just been out delivering leaflets for @hopenothate.org.uk in Uphill Village, Weston super mare.

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Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 15d

Reform UK are spreading misinformation in Weston super Mare.
www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/2554264...

Dan Aldridge: Reform UK are spreading damaging lies about Weston

Dan Aldridge MP addresses false claims about asylum seekers in Weston, urging social media users to fact-check and protect the town’s reputation.

www.thewestonmercury.co.uk

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Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 16d

14 years of Tory austerity...
BBC News - North Somerset Council warns tax could rise to cover costs - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

North Somerset Council warns tax could rise to cover costs

Council leader Mike Bell says the authority's spending could go £25m over budget next year.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton

UNISON @unison.org.uk · 16d

UNISON signs joint union letter calling for an end to the escalation of anti-migrant rhetoric.

“Our health and social care sector is built on the hard work and rich diversity of its workforce."

Read our joint statement
www.unison.org.uk/content/uplo...

Logos of unions: BMA, RCN, BDA, CSP, Unite, UNISON, HCSA, SoR

Joint statement on anti-migrant rhetoric – Keeping our communities safe from racism
Our health and social care sector is built on the hard work and rich diversity of its workforce. Many of our colleagues, especially those from international backgrounds or perceived as ethnically distinct from the majority population, are facing a sustained campaign of anti-migrant rhetoric. The escalating use of hostile language allows some political parties to exploit fear and promote division and emboldens those in society who seek to intimidate. This rhetoric also comes at a time when the rights of those who live and work in the UK to continue to make the UK their home are being openly questioned, including tens of thousands of people working within the health and social care sector. People are unsettled and frightened, with some directly experiencing hate and violence at work and within their communities.
In the face of this blatant scapegoating of migrant communities, we stand united in our commitment to uphold the values of dignity, respect and equality for all individuals. As leading trade unions and professional associations within the UK, representing workers within the health and social care sector, we reject any form of discrimination and oppose all forms of racism and xenophobia.
Together we will continue to advocate for policies that promote inclusion, protect human rights, and foster a culture of empathy and understanding. We call on the media, and politicians to stop spreading misinformation for political gain and engage in evidence-based discourse around immigration.
The health and social care sector in the UK has always been reliant on the commitment and expertise of its international workforce. Figures from NHS England and Skills for Care show that in England, 776,000 workers – around a quarter of the total workforce of just over 3 million – are non-British nationals.
We affirm our solidarity with …

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Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 17d

Sign up for your free place at the next Bus User Forum | @northsomersetc.bsky.social - n-somerset.gov.uk/news/sign-yo... - give your views on bus services in North Somerset.

Sign up for your free place at the next Bus User Forum

North Somerset Council is inviting residents, businesses and community groups to take part in the next Bus User Forum, an opportunity to hear updates and share views on the future of local bus service...

n-somerset.gov.uk

Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 17d

Cable Street Mural, Shadwell, London, commemorates the Battle of Cable Street in 1936, where British fascism was defeated. "They shall not pass".

Cllr. Helen Thornton @labourhelen.bsky.social · 17d

Unions Stand Up To The Far-Right @tuc.org.uk
youtu.be/_QbJqhQO9kA?...

Unions Stand Up To The Far-Right

YouTube video by Trades Union Congress (TUC)

youtu.be

Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton

Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 19d

Nigel Farage, coming to a city near you.

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Reposted by Cllr. Helen Thornton

UNISON @unison.org.uk · 21d

Councils face £4.1bn funding shortfall next year, UNISON reveals

'Local authorities are being forced to make cuts that often hit the most vulnerable hardest' UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea