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Hillsborough Law marks a huge achievement for accountability but political will is crucial for it to work

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  • Post last modified:15 July 2026
Hillsborough Law marks a huge achievement for accountability but political will is crucial for it to work

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday 14 July, and is now moving through the next stages of the legislative process. Also referred to as the Hillsborough Law, it will drastically improve the ability of ordinary people to get justice and accountability from those in power. In short, its purpose is to ensure the government is accountable for its actions and the very real human impact those actions can have, drawing its nickname from the Hillsborough disaster. Despite multiple attempts in the courts, none of the police officers or the former chief…

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Senior DWP figure made ableist joke outside Access to Work inquiry

Senior DWP figure made ableist joke outside Access to Work inquiry

A senior civil servant in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) made an ableist joke whilst waiting to give evidence on the department’s failings. Disability News Service reports that Neil Couling, director general of DWP services and fraud, made the joke surrounded by other senior figures in a corridor in Portcullis House. They were all waiting to give evidence to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the National Audit Office’s (NAO) joint inquiry into Access to Work. Couling shows exactly who the DWP are The DWP came under fire because it’s quietly cutting Access to Work whilst forcing more disabled…

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Greens messaging on Manchester’s mayoral vote needs some work

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  • Post last modified:20 June 2026
Greens messaging on Manchester’s mayoral vote needs some work

The Green Party is likely to be the most credible left-wing option in Manchester’s mayoral election on 30 July. But to win, the Greens need to make sure their messaging is as strong as possible. Are Greens ‘the only party that can beat Reform’? It would be great, for example, if the Greens could avoid using the phrase ‘we’re the only party’. Because ahead of the mayoral election, they immediately came out with that message. And that was despite Labour having just won in Makerfield (which is in Greater Manchester). Across Greater Manchester – Bolton to Salford, Trafford to Stockport, Greens…

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Family

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  • Post last modified:8 June 2026
Family

Having traced the Charles Alford family tree back to our very own Charles I, the line continues to this day, no thanks to my late father who tried to buck the trend by refusing to name me Charles. In 2026 with limited time remaining, I changed my name by deed poll (legally) to continue the tradition. It is now up to my son, Jack to atone for my mistake in not insisting he be named accordingly; not that there was much choice in the matter in 1985.   The original Alfords of 1758 showing Charles I (1758 - 1839) & his…

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Rat Patrol & More

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  • Post last modified:8 July 2026
Rat Patrol & More

ALF THE GIGS According to records kept by manager Pip Hulme (R.I.P), Rat Patrol played their first gig on Tuesday 23rd November 1982 at The Mitre (soon to become the ill fated Mama Stone's) in Mary Arches Street, Exeter, Devon. Rat Patrol owe a debt of gratitude to both Pip and also to Mike, Don and Jonny, aka Rockin' Mike & The Thunderbirds for letting the Rats support them on their first two outings. We should also mention the inimitable John Bain (aka: Attila The Stockbroker) who gave the band a cracking write up in Sounds magazine and went on to…

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