It was a huge priviledge to serve as the Mayor of Reading from 2021 to 2023. We are a generous, big hearted town, a town of bridges not walls and it has been a true honour. I stepped down at the council AGM on 24th May. As part of the …
For the second year running Reading women marched together to ‘Reclaim the Night’ For the second year running we’ve held a ‘Reclaim the Night’ march in Reading on the first Friday in December. This is an open and inclusive march for all women who want to be safe to walk …
I’m asking the current Tory MP, Alok Sharma MP, to support the abolition of non-dom tax status. Non-dom status is an outdated loophole which allows a few wealthy people who were born abroad or who’s fathers were born abroad to avoid paying up to a £1 billion in UK tax …
Organisations that help people get the advice they need in tough times have never been more needed. At the Reading Advice Network AGM on 9th November I was asked to give the closing remarks. Here is a summary of my speech: “I remember meeting Richard to discuss the formation of …
I was immensely proud of our community last Saturday as we celebrated, protested and committed to continue to stand together for LGBT rights. I’m so proud of Reading because Reading is a place that celebrates its diversity. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, whatever your identity, Reading welcomes you. But …
I was very proud to be the first Mayor (that we know of!) to “beat the bounds” of Reading since 1912. I did this to raise funds for three amazing local charities – Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, Parenting Special Children and the Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality …
The empathy and generosity of people in Reading has once again shone through during the Ukrainian war, which is absolutely no surprise to me. I know the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre was quite taken aback by the sheer scale of physical donations, so much so that it had to temporarily …
Rachel writes: “It is incrediably disappointing that despite pre-election promises that the Government has turned its back on a true community bid submitted on behalf of the community by our council. As we look to build back better following the pandemic the obvious thing would be for the government to …
I have written to Alok Sharma asking him to think again on his government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill. I am aware that as a slavishly loyal member of the Conservative government he is unlikely to agree with me, but I do think it is worth ensuring he is …
National bereavement charity Sue Ryder, which runs Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading, has called on the Government to introduce a minimum of two weeks statutory paid bereavement leave for all UK employees grieving the loss of a close relative or partner. Over the last few years through …
I was furious last night that ALok Sharma and the majority of his Conservative colleagues voted against ensuring all our children are fed over half term. It should not have been about politics, but basic humanity. But it does show why politics matters. I would have voted to ensure every …
Councillor Sophia James was the first black woman elected to public office in Reading. She is a wonderful advocate for social justice, a campaigner and friend. She is also a consistent campaigner and always ready to lead the charge to stand up against prejudice and racism. Some of that passion …
Many Reading people in need of a Covid test are complaining that that they have only been offered slots at sites many miles away, such as the Isle of Wight or Inverness, or cannot get a test at all.
As Reading’s Labour Councillors we are united in grief that this tragedy could happen in the diverse, vibrant, welcoming town that we call home: We are shocked and saddened by the tragic stabbings in Forbury Gardens on Saturday evening which have resulted in the deaths of three people and serious …
I believe that the best voices to listen to in the current situation following the murder of George Floyd are from the community affected. As a member of Reading Labour Party and a Reading Labour Councillor however I am signing up to this statement in solidarity: Black and Asian members …
While I’m looking forward to supporting the Mayor this is at a hugely difficult time for us all.I am sure that we are all incredibly proud of the way that people from across our town have come together as we go through this crisis – from NHS staff and care …
Following the events of this weekend I have written to Mr Sharma both as a resident in Reading West and as a Whitley councillor: Dear Mr Sharma, Like many other residents in Reading West I have followed this bank holiday weekend’s events with increasing anger. During the COVID-19 crisis, people …
As we move into our fourth week of lock down I am increasingly concerned about the lack of planning by the government. At every stage of this crisis it has felt like the government has not got a plan and it is costing lives. It’s possible they are just being …
Today I sent out my monthly ‘Love Reading West’ community newsletter. You can subscribe hereHere’s some of what I said: “I am sure like me you feel somewhat helpless. It is hard to know what is going to happen next and my usual monthly rhythm of sharing the events and activities …
Today is a day that for me feels very sad. I won’t pretend I was always a passionate European, in fact until a few years ago I didn’t give our membership of the EU that much thought but as the song goes “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s …
New data from School Cuts campaign run by the National Education Union shows the stark reality that our schools in England are continuing to face, 91% of schools have suffered a drop in their funding since 2015. Locally, we have seen 73 out of 76 schools in West Berkshire have …
With the current crisis in Kashmir Rachel has been working with John Howarth MEP and neighbouring Labour MP Matt Rodda to support those in Reading West who are concerned and affected. It was therefore an honour to welcome guests including His Excellency Sardar Masood Khan, President of Azad Jammu Kashmir …
I am pleased to support USDAW’s campaign to save our high streets. They are calling for a level playing field for high street and online retail as well as fair pay, job security and investment in skills and training for the workforce Our local high streets and shopping centres are …
A huge number of community groups and businesses large and small took part in the Macmillan coffee morning. I was delighted to attend one close to home in Tilelhurst organised by a local small business run by two sisters. It was a lovely event attended by their staff, clients and …
Boris Johnson’s suspension of Parliament to try to push through a chaotic and disastrous no deal Brexit is not only deeply irresponsible it is anti-democratic. MPs should be allowed to represent the people who elected them and hold the government to account. It is outrageous that this even needs saying. …
Reading West Conservative MP supports Boris Johnson’s threat for the UK to leave the EU with No Deal on 31 October. It is appalling that our local Conservative MP is willing to allow the UK to leave with No Deal, knowing full well that it will risk damaging local businesses …
I was very disappointed and concerned to discover that our current Conservative MP has stated that he is willing to support leaving the European Union without an agreement in October. A so called ‘No Deal’ Brexit is in my view incredibly dangerous, for our country as a whole and for …
Help save maintained nursery schools like Norcot Nursery: sign here
The future of maintained nursery schools in England after March 2020 is under threat as adequate funding has not been confirmed after then when supplementary funding ends.
Nursery schools like Blagdon Nursery, Norcot Nursery, Caversham Nursery and Newbridge Nursery are under threat.
I am therefore joining people across the country in petitioning the Government to take action to ensure maintained nursery schools are financially sustainable.
Nursery schools are vital for many children’s start in life and this uncertainty is putting their future in doubt I am asking you to join the thousands of people who have already signed this petition which you can find at: http://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/237044
A number of people have been asking Labour Councillors locally for our views on the current situation on Brexit. Below is the, text of a letter sent to the Reading Chronicle today. I have signed it , both as a councillor who believes that the residents I represent deserve a final say and as the person who hopes to become our next MP who is in despair at the current dangerous nonsense from the government. My belief is that , unless there …
It was bitter-sweet to see the ‘Outstanding’ Oftsted report that Reading Council’s Norcot Nusery again received this week. Maintained nursery schools like Norcot, Blagrave and Blagdon Road (which many Whitley children attend) provide an amazing and unique environment for children to receive their early years education. Many parents have been …
Rachel was a guest speaker at the ‘SME4Labour’ panel discussion at the 2018 Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. This session, entitled ‘How Labour Councils can support SMEs’ brought together councillors from across the country to share ideas and best practice on what local government can do to support SMEs.
When local trades people approached me about the impact that van tool theft is increasingly having on them I knew that there would not be one answer but that a series of measures are needed to tackle this rising problem. It’s a disgusting crime that robs families of their livelihoods. …
