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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · 22h

We are all being failed by governments who prioritise the interests of the wealthiest people above the basic needs of the vast majority of the population

Those who seek to divide the working class on the basis of ethnicity are doing the dirty work of the rich and powerful

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · 22h

The ward that I represent is overwhelmingly working class and is also ethnically diverse.

The vast majority of people in the area have a shared interest in the need for the state to tax wealth to provide housing and improve services, regardless of their ethnicity

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · 22h

When @sutrscotland.bsky.social supporters attempted to remove flags earlier this week, they were approached by someone who threatened to slit their throats and stab them for interfering with what he described as “my flags”

This occurred next to graffiti which said "Deport Muslims"

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · 22h

I've signed this @sutrscotland.bsky.social petition calling on the Council to remove flags from lamp posts on Calder Road

Constituents have reached out to express concern that flags are inspired by ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ which seeks to intimidate migrants

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Sign the Petition

Take Down The Flags - No Place For Racism in Edinburgh

www.change.org

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Reposted by Ross McKenzie

David Wearing @davidwearing.bsky.social · 15d

It's alarming how many people need to hear this: racism is not the natural and inevitable response to the presence of (the wrong number of) racialised Others. It is a learned response, and as such it is contestable and replaceable.

This is anti-racism 101. Entry level stuff.

Paul Brand @paulbrand.bsky.social · 15d

This is first time I’ve heard the govt making the Labour argument for controlling immigration.

Mahmood argues that controlling our borders is good for race relations, because uncontrolled immigration is feeding far right rhetoric and tensions.

Expect to hear a lot more of that.

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Aug 22

Mark Beaumont launches Edinburgh’s first bike scheme Just Eat Cycles

Ultra-endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont and Council leader Cllr Adam McVey officially launched the Just Eat Cycles scheme with a ribbon cutting ceremony outside the City Chambers.

www.serco.com

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Aug 22

I think the point still stands tbf, but I'm too embarrassed to post again 😳

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Aug 22

Well it's going to have to be deleted then!

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Aug 1

Over the past decade, Gorgie-Dalry has seen nothing but Purpose Built Student Accommodation coming through planning. Now they want to build Purpose Built AirBnB.

I have objected and I am asking the committee to protect this land for housing.

Edinburgh planning officer recommends plans for 28 short-term let apartments to be granted

Independent councillor Ross McKenzie believes the entire site should be turned into housing which could be offered to locals at affordable levels.

www.edinburghlive.co.uk

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jul 30

"Politics should be about empowerment. Instead, people are shut out of the decisions that affect their daily lives. For too long, top-down political parties have patronised their members and disempowered the communities they claim to represent."

Jeremy Corbyn @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social · Jul 29

For too long, people have been denied a real political choice.

Not anymore.

My piece for the Guardian on the extraordinary response to www.yourparty.uk

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

This Labour government has failed. People want real transformative politics – we will give it to them | Jeremy Corbyn

More than 500,000 people have signed up to our new party to help build a genuine alternative to poverty, inequality and war, says former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn

www.theguardian.com

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jul 27

5 year plan for stepping stone cllr:

3 years (very part-time) cllr inc. 1 year as Transport Convener.

1 year in selection and election campaign mode.

1 year as dual MSP/cllr

Public ££££££ on top of high paid banking job.

Public served?

Edinburgh transport convener bids to stand for Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh council's Labour transport convener Stephen Jenkinson is bidding to stand for election to the Scottish Parliament.

www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jul 25

No backsliding! Just a sharp active travel officer getting the non-TRO pavement elements delivered as part of programmed road-resurfacing.

Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jul 25

The good news here is that the resurfacing of the Caledonians and Orwells will include significant improvements to pavements. Too often, the council resurfaces roads without doing anything for pedestrians and wheelchair users.

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jul 25

No backsliding! Just a sharp active travel officer getting the non-TRO pavement elements delivered as part of programmed road-resurfacing.

Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jul 25

The good news here is that the resurfacing of the Caledonians and Orwells will include significant improvements to pavements. Too often, the council resurfaces roads without doing anything for pedestrians and wheelchair users.

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Edinburgh business could be forced to move as streets set to close for five months

The shop has run in Dalry since 1956, but businessowner Alan Wallace says that he's thought of leaving Dalry over the project the roadworks are a part of

www.edinburghlive.co.uk

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jul 25

I'm disappointed that the journalist who wrote this story has not been clear on the above and I'm annoyed that he took a quote form me without letting me know that he'd be fronting the story with concerns from Wallace's. I'll be in touch with Mr Wallace to reassure him about access and parking.

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jul 25

There will be disruption during the works, but there will be no changes to access or parking as a result of them.

The wider 'Dalry Living Well Locally' project may well include changes to access and parking, but details are some way from being finalised and work is ~2 years away.

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jul 25

The good news here is that the resurfacing of the Caledonians and Orwells will include significant improvements to pavements. Too often, the council resurfaces roads without doing anything for pedestrians and wheelchair users.

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Edinburgh business could be forced to move as streets set to close for five months

The shop has run in Dalry since 1956, but businessowner Alan Wallace says that he's thought of leaving Dalry over the project the roadworks are a part of

www.edinburghlive.co.uk

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jul 2

Incredible effort from the new Gardening Club at Gate 55. They’ve just been going for a few weeks and have already had a massive impact.

Gate 55 (Sighthill Library and Community Centre) has been run down by the Council over many years now, but I felt real hope for its future seeing this tonight.

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jul 1

Saughton Mains residents will assemble at the Busy Bee at 2pm Thursday July 10th to demand that this mess gets cleaned up.

The leaseholders, Mitchells & Butlers, made over £300m in profit last year - it would be spare change for them to sort this space out and give something back to the community.

Residents demand action over old pub left to deteriorate for a decade

Residents angry about a former Edinburgh pub left to deteriorate for the past decade are to hold a protest at the site.

www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jun 30

Hopefully

Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jun 30

Phone box at White Park also removed!

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jun 30

I'm delighted to see the phone boxes finally removed from outside Dalry Road Co-op 🎉

Now we a need a mural, some benches and some planters to make this a space that people can enjoy spending time in.🌼🌸

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jun 27

UDI for SWS09C & SWC09D

Ballot Box Scotland @ballotbox.scot · Jun 27

Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart (Edinburgh) by-election results by polling district, strongest area by party:

Lab, SNP, RUK: Slateford
LD: Easter Craiglockhart
Grn, Other Inds (x4): Fountainbridge
Con, Ind Wilkinson: Craiglockhart

Chart showing first preferences by polling district. In percentage terms, best district for each party was Labour 29.7, Lib Dem 39.8, Green 38.5, SNP 23.4, Conservative 27.7, Reform UK 13.0, Independent Wilkinson 3.5, Other Independents 3.3

Map of the ward with polling districts coloured by lead party at the by-election. Labour led in Slateford. Lib Dems led in Kingsknow and Craiglockhart. Greens led in North Merchiston and Fountainbridge.

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jun 25

For many residents, Edinburgh's economic growth simply exacerbates poverty by driving up rents. A Labour Council Leader should not be celebrating growth in itself - they should be asking how the working class can increase share of Edinburgh's wealth.

Whose growth is it anyway?

As mayors and councils prepare their local growth plans, the RORE programme looks at how a less extractive model would benefit us all

neweconomics.org

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jun 25

Edinburgh's Labour Council Leader had written a gushing article about GDP growth that doesn't mention inequality, poverty or wages.

Even the Blairites weren't this detached from the Party's roots.

Edinburgh GDP surpasses London for first time

Edinburgh has long been Scotland’s economic powerhouse and we’re now ahead of London for the first time.

www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com

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Ross McKenzie @rosssmckenzie.bsky.social · Jun 24

multiple = at least 3 that I am aware of

She may be a great landlord/may be able to rep tenants against her own interests - I guess it's possible.

But the evidence we have is that they haven't delivered on tenants' rights and now they've selected a landlord. Steer clear.

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