James Gradel

policy + campaigns @yimbyalliance

[Kane Emerson @KaneEmerson]

Extraordinary from @HomeBuildersFed:

Up to £98,000 has been added to the cost of building a high-rise flat since 2020.

A huge share of that is driven by policy choices.

[Josh Simons @joshsimonsmp]

Yep. It’s almost funny.

@RobKenyonReform never came to 1 meeting on Ashton Library. Me, cllrs and residents worked backsides off to save it.

In politics, berating ppl on socials doesn’t get stuff done.

He’s local, angry, but no plan to actually DO anything. Like @reformparty_uk

[James Gradel @James_Gradel]

@martha_dacombe @BritishProgress 🎉

[JP Spencer @JP_Spencer_]

After 2021, risk premiums started to come down in two places: Greater Manchester and West Midlands. Devolved institutions seem to have been giving investors more confidence on economic plans. Could this support the idea of Manchesterism put forward by Andy Burnham?

4/5

[Kane Emerson @KaneEmerson]

Aylesham. Social housing. Flatshares. £2,000 rents.

In Britain, we have rationed every form of home.

The market rations by rent; council waiting lists ration by desperation. Everyone can point to someone else and ask: why them, not me?

My thoughts in the New Statesman 👇

[Andy Burnham @AndyBurnhamGM]

@SimonMagus I live here lad.

[David Lawrence @dc_lawrence]

> invited to speak about Judicial Review on Radio 4
> argues it's undemocratic to let Parliament approve clean energy projects
> compares the Government's proposals to rape (??!!)

extremely odd behaviour from George Monbiot.

[Julia Willemyns @jujulemons]

Somewhat taken aback to hear @GeorgeMonbiot liken the Government's Judicial Review reforms to **rape** on Radio 4. Offensive and intellectually lazy.

As my co-founder @dc_lawrence explains, the reforms actually strengthen democracy. It enables the state to deliver the infrastructure it has promised, including the energy projects we so badly need.

[James Gradel @James_Gradel]

@jujulemons @GeorgeMonbiot @dc_lawrence wow

[Centre for British Progress @BritishProgress]

🚨 We are hiring! 🚨

Could you be our next head of operations? 👀

We are looking for an exceptionally high-agency, adaptable and organised individual, who is excited about our mission to create UK growth & progress, to run operations for our growing team.

Full time, £70-90k, London.

Full details & how to apply here: https://t.co/pUJCCBNCHD

[John Myers @johnrmyers]

Come and work with an incredible team!

[JP Spencer @JP_Spencer_]

🚨Exciting policy news 🚨

The Chancellor has announced that the government will consult on devolving 'Transport and Works Act Order' decisions to mayors. This would give them the power to get on with building transport networks, speeding up delivery like other countries.

1/2

[John Myers @johnrmyers]

HMG spends vast amounts defending judicial reviews which then fail. That raises bills and makes infrastructure unaffordable. This should mean we can spend those sums on improving the proposals to benefit the environment, and to deliver for working people: https://t.co/KJnfGciWYE

[Casemiro @Casemiro]

There are places we pass through in life… and there are places that become part of who we are.
Manchester will forever be my home.

To the city, the club, and every supporter, my sincerest thank you. These past four years have been unforgettable, filled with moments my family and I will carry with us for the rest of our lives. There simply aren’t enough words to describe the happiness and warmth we’ve felt here.

Thank you for every cheer, every memory, and for making us feel at home from the very first day.

Forever a Red Devil ❤️

[Kane Emerson @KaneEmerson]

When we keep something artificially in shortage, we are creating unnecessary conflict.

We need new homes for everyone, especially young workers and those who have waited years on waiting lists.

[James Gradel @James_Gradel]

@martha_dacombe 🎯

[Josh Simons @joshsimonsmp]

Always good to see Bee Network buses in the background.

I heard someone brought them under public control, capped fares at £2, and got free travel for pensioners anytime.

Oh yes. @AndyBurnhamGM.

[Andy Burnham @AndyBurnhamGM]

I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election.

I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics.

Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic.

Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics. We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures.

However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again. This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people.

Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place.

I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been. He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that.

Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times. We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again.

ENDS

[Arooj Shah @shah_arooj]

It’s been a huge honour and privilege to serve you. I’m proud of what we have achieved for Oldham and the people of Oldham. I will continue to be a fierce champion for Oldham and Oldham Labour will continue to serve you all ❤️

[Kane Emerson @KaneEmerson]

I won election as a councillor in Islington.

I campaigned unapologetically on the importance of good local government and the value of a well-run council.

I had difficult conversations on the doorstep. But delivery can speak for itself: well-kept streets and parks, good and outstanding schools, cleaner neighbourhoods, and pride in our area.

I didn’t win on international issues - that’s not for councils. Local government matters. Bins matter. Roads matter. Schools matter. The quality of the place you live matters.

This tweet will be a one off. I don’t envisage this to be a councillor twitter (most normal people don’t use this site) but I do welcome any big ideas / policy thoughts.