Cllr Ellen Nicholson 🔸🇬🇧 🇪🇺 🌍

Liberal Democrats are leading with young voters.

People who are disappointed and frustrated with Labour are switching to back the Lib Dems.

Wonder if @newsagents.bsky.social @lewisgoodall.com realised that they were actually giving more airtime here to Farage & Reform than the Lib Dems who are “𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 pissed off” at media outlets for doing just that?

I find that so called @financialtimes.com political podcasts are similar - there’s a weird bias in journalism that causes them to grossly overplay some to the detriment of others.

Yet speaking to the public, often tells a bizarrely different story to Journalists.

Messy child's school desk with a spiral notebook in the centre that reads: Our five principles for Send reform

After years of neglect, the SEND system is broken and families have paid the price.

SEND children and their loved ones deserve clarity, better support and a plan that puts children first. 👇

I get that, politics is a tough gig and despite promises (literally all parties do this) the reality to deliver or make changes is much much harder than people envisage, it is a bit like walking a tightrope

Odd to point exclusively at one party 🤔

Tuition fees introduced under Labour in 1998

Who promised to NOT raise tuition fees in their #GE2001 manifesto...

Yet with a MAJORITY govt., LABOUR then TRIPLED fees in 2004.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...

And of course Rayner in 2019

Mozzarella is fine in salad, but it’s a bit tasteless compared to so many other offering, crumbly Caerphilly, strong Stilton,

I love cheese, particularly cheddar, actually pretty much any cheese, snack cheese, cheese based meals …

Pivot noted, however you’ll note that Lib Dem’s don’t support the situation in Palestine and have long called for a two party state solution.

University tuition fees: Why are they increasing and what does it mean for students? University tuition fees will rise for the first time since 2017

In a move that will dismay thousands of prospective students, Sir Keir Starmer‘s government has increased tuition fees for the first time in eight years

Excellent lens 😉

Jeremy Corbyn: More EU talks if MPs reject Brexit deal The UK would have to return to the EU negotiating table if MPs reject the Brexit deal, Jeremy Corbyn says.

Considering Corbyn was such a poor opposition leader at the time of Brexit and his views on the EU are ambivalent to put it politely, I think the article’s stance is fantasy politics.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...

Nurses union to reject pay deal as strike vote looms The Royal College of Nursing has been holding a consultative vote on their 3.6% pay rise.

I am unsurprised - the Govt were unwise to differentiate pay deals btw Nurses/AHPs and Medics - it hit a nerve.
@rcn.org.uk

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Nurses union to reject pay deal as strike vote looms The Royal College of Nursing has been holding a consultative vote on their 3.6% pay rise.

Oops

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I think that @joshbabarinde.bsky.social
would be a fantastic @libdems.org.uk Party President
Enthusiastic, dynamic but personable and caring in spades - I very much believe he is part of the future of our Party!

I look forward to supporting his campaign! 💛

I signed up this afternoon. 😀

An excellent result for England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
#Euro2025 🏆

I don’t have a crystal ball any more than you do - there will be multiple opportunities for change within the next few years - whether the Govt and nation take them remains to be seen, as do the external influences that the nation will need to react to.

All I can do in this, is be me.

Thing change daily, it’s naïve to believe they won’t - think back to a year ago, two years ago and how things have changed

How they change is the real question, and who the changes benefit and who they impact - because there are always trade offs.

It’s four years out from a GE

Certain politicians are making all kinds of wild, uncosted, promises to get headlines

The majority of the media are complicit & lap up the nonsense regurgitating without thought - depressingly @financialtimes.com podcast is one of them

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Best of luck to the England Women’s Football team today for the Euro 2025 final 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Lots of opportunities in Woking for #football 👇 #eurofinals

www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/t/women/

Out and about in #Addlestone with North West Surrey Lib Dem colleagues. Lots of conversations and activity going on here as we approach the triple by-election in mid August @assoclibdemcllrs.bsky.social #LibDems @willforster.bsky.social @runnymedelibdems.bsky.social @surreyheathlibdems.bsky.social

In future, as I look back on my time as a Cllr, this may be my most meaningful contribution to the wider Community.
From concept idea in 2023 to presenting CAT policy to Council in Feb 2024 & ongoing process @libdemlocalgov.bsky.social

Innovation driven by need
www.local.gov.uk/case-studies...

When one by-election ends, another begins #Addlestone

It’s an absolute scorcher of a day, but as ever a pleasure to speak to Addlestone residents #byelection

www.runnymede.gov.uk/elections-2/...

LIB DEM HOLD

Hoe Valley - Woking BC

🔶LD 1118, 62.8% -6.9
➡️RFM 379, 21.3% new
🔵Con 130, 7.3% -8.6
🟢Grn 83, 4.7% new
🔴Lab 69, 3.9% -8.2

Congratulations to Cllr Deborah Hughes and the team! 🔶

LIB DEM HOLD

Woking South - Surrey CC

🔶LD 1939, 63.8% +5.8
➡️RFM 584, 19.2% new
🔵Con 291, 9.6% -16.4
🟢Grn 134, 4.4% -2.6
🔴Lab 91 3.0%, -5.0

Congratulations to Cllr Louise Morales and the team! 🔶

A real achievement, so pleased that the system for Mayoral votes is changing.

Next step needs to be a changed system to vote for the County & General Elections

The first past the post system is no longer fit for purpose in our 21st Century democracy, only run by the UK and Belarus in Europe.

Double by-election in #Woking today - Hoe Valley (Borough) and Woking South (County) - Two fabulous @libdems.org.uk candidates to support
@assoclibdemcllrs.bsky.social

Don’t forget to vote 🗳️

MVM Northwest Surrey local group outside Woking's Lightbox Gallery - holding a huge 'Trust the People - Make Votes Matter' banner and getting honks from passing traffic in response to a 'Honk for Fair Votes' placard.

MVM Northwest Surrey local group with the statue of local suffragette Dame Ethel Smyth holding a 'Make Votes Matter' banner. Smiles and sunshine - campaigning for a brighter future with fair votes everywhere.

North West Surrey @makevotesmatter.bsky.social local group - out recently in support of the national Democracy Action Weekend calling for #PRNow !

We got honks in support & joined Dame Ethel Smyth; #Woking 's own suffragette.

Let's #WipeOutFPTP

More here:
makevotesmatter.org.uk/democracy-ac...

@survation.bsky.social - it’s not a credible poll if you leave out the leader of the 3rd largest party in Parliament 🙄

If you’re going to do polls do them properly!