Liberal Democrats leader, Sir Vince Cable, has told Sheffield Live! his party’s promise not to increase tuition fees during the campaign in the 2010 general election “was a bad mistake”. The former Business Secretary was in Sheffield to meet with Lib Dem activists to discuss party policies and to support the campaign to save from closure the NHS Walk-in Centre on Broad Lane and the Minor Injuries Unit at Hallamshire Hospital. Baillor Jalloh reports.
Green Party councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Magid Magid, due to take over in May the largely ceremonial role of Lord Mayor of Sheffield, spoke to Sheffield Live! on what he hopes to achieve. Magid chaired his first full Council meeting at the Town Hall this week, in which tree campaigners staged a sit-in protest against Amey’s tree felling programme. He has also been in the media spotlight as an undercover fugitive evading secret agents in the Channel 4 reality TV show Hunted. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
A new plaque to honour Sheffield women’s suffrage movement activists who campaigned for the right vote is to be installed at their former shop on Chapel Walk. Following a campaign to honour the women by Sheffield Young People’s Equality Group, and a successful crowd-funding appeal, approval has now been granted and the plaque will be installed on International Women’s Day on March 8. The plaque forms part of the celebrations to mark 100 years since the passing of the Representation of the Peoples Act 2018 which gave women over 30 and ‘of property’ the right to vote. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
The government is planning to introduce new laws that could benefit millions of workers including rights to holiday and sick pay from day one in a job and the right of zero hours and agency workers to a stable contract. Martin Mayer, secretary of Sheffield Trade Union Council, welcomed the announcement but told Sheffield Live! that more needs to be done. Baillor Jalloh reports.
Campaigners calling for a change in the voting system are fasting for twenty four hours to mark one hundred years since women won the right to vote. The Hungry4democracy campaign calling for a system of proportional representation has gathered cross party support. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to former green party leader Natalie Bennett.
Baillor Jalloh and Dr Nkululeko Sibanda are joined by George Ben Anthony and Maxine Bowler to discuss issues affecting the African Community.
Sheffield Councillor, Ben Curran, has confirmed his intention to stand as Labour candidate for election as mayor of Sheffield City Region. Curran is one of three candidates in the party to stand, including former Sheffield Central MP, Richard Caborn and Dan Jarvis, the MP for Barnsley Central. Elections for the mayor’s position are scheduled for May as part of a £900m devolution deal. Labour is the first party to announce their candidates. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Iranians in Sheffield staged a demonstration outside Sheffield Town Hall at the weekend demanding freedom and democracy for Iran. According to campaigner Siama Zaad, the group called “Wanted Freedom for Iran” were protesting against the Iranian government’s persecution of democracy protestors who, they claim, have been subject to torture and imprisonment. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Former Sheffield MP, Richard Caborn, has announced his bid for selection by the Labour Party as their candidate for the mayoral position for the Sheffield City Region. The former sports minister is the first to formally announce his intention to stand. Sheffield Councillor Ben Curran also announced his candidacy before the Thursday deadline. Richard Caborn spoke to Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh.
A new park and ride facility has been unveiled in Tinsley at IKEA Sheffield. The development was one of the conditions of planning approval for the furniture store and brings a total of eight park and ride facilities now available across the city. There is no cost to use the parking but commuters have to pay the price of the tram ride. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!