Politics

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Former tree campaigner calls for better accountability from Sheffield Council

An extraordinary Sheffield Council meeting last week to discuss the findings of the Lowcock Tree Inquiry into the Street Trees Dispute turned heated as questions were raised by former tree campaigners. Calvin Payne who was arrested in 2016 for protesting against the cutting down of thousands of trees across the city told Sheffied Live! he accepts the council’s apology over the felling of street trees and the treatment of campaigners but feels more accountability is needed. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Richard Caborn delighted to be honoured Freedom of the City

Former UK sports minister and Sheffield Central MP Richard Caborn spoke of his delight at being honoured “Freedom of the City,” for dedicating his life to Sheffield and its people. Caborn was awarded the honour for his contribution to the advancement of sport in Sheffield, nationally and internationally, and for other services to the city. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield residents responds to voter photo ID law

Polling stations across Sheffield opened on Thursday for the local elections with the requirement, for the first time, that voters show photo identification before being allowed to vote. Elections are taking place for Council seats in many parts of England with Sheffield having 29 of the 84 council seats up for grabs. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to some of those voting to get their views on the introduction of the voter identification at polling stations.

Teachers’ strikes continue over pay dispute

Pupils and parents faced another day of disruption this week as teachers in England went on strike again over their ongoing pay dispute with government. Members of the National Education Union (NEU) in England were out of their classrooms on Tuesday for the fifth day of national strike action this year. On previous strike days, dozens of schools in South Yorkshire were either fully or partially closed. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Toby Malinson, joint branch secretary for the NEU Sheffield branch.

Sheffield MPs welcome Keir Starmer election as Labour’s new leader

Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, is among local MPs welcoming news of the election of Sir Keir Starmer as new leader of the Labour Party. The 57-year old defeated Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy in a ballot of party members, trade unionists and registered supporters and will succeed Jeremy Corbyn as opposition leader. The lawyer, who became an MP in 2015, won on the first round of voting, with more than 50% of ballots cast. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

City region mayor back Lisa Nandy for Labour leadership

Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis has said he is backing Lisa Nandy in the Labour leadership election. The Barnsley MP told Sheffield Live! he believes Nandy understands the challenges facing the North of England and that she is a capable leader. She is one of four candidates who are still in contention. alongside Rebecca Long-Bailey, Emily Thornberry and Sir Keir Starmer. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Labour MPs reflect on election defeat

Sheffield MPs Louis Haigh and Clive Bett have said they are very disappointed with the election results. Both MPs were re-elected on Thursday with a big majority while nationally Labour suffered its worst election defeat for decades. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has promised to repay the trust put in him by Labour supporters who voted Conservative for the first time. MIckey Conn reports for Sheffield Live!

Voter registration deadline approaches for General Election

Over 1 million people have registered to vote in the last week alone as the 26 November deadline approaches. To vote in a UK general election you must be 18 or over on the day of the election, be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen and resident at an address in the UK (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years), and not be legally excluded from voting. You can only vote once, but if you are a student, you can register at both your university and home address.

Polling station

For information on registering to vote visit:
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote