Our local meeting at Kirklees Council a few days ago has become viral.
Many people have seen the clips showing disagreement, frustration and confusion. What many have not seen is the full meeting, which remains available to watch online.
Cllr Sarah Wood, leader of Reform in Kirklees, nominated herself to become Leader of the Council. During the meeting she stated that she did not understand the constitution, yet simultaneously accused others of acting unconstitutionally for following the AGM process and established procedures. To me, those two positions are difficult to reconcile.
Cllr Wood also stated on camera, “We will make sure the residents know.”
That language concerns me. When elected representatives publicly label councillors, officers or cross party colleagues as acting unconstitutionally without evidence, it risks creating a false narrative. Words matter. They carry weight. They influence public perception.
I know all too well the real world consequences misinformation can have when it spreads locally. We have seen how narratives can take hold, how trust can be damaged and how individuals can become targets because of things that simply are not true.
That is why I stood up. That is why I challenged what was being said. That is why I was passionate in my response.
My only apology is to our newly elected Mayor. She conducted herself professionally throughout an extremely difficult meeting and ensured all sides had an opportunity to speak. She showed patience, fairness and leadership, and for that she deserves recognition.
Our communities benefit when councillors, regardless of political affiliation, communicate, cooperate and work together in the interests of residents.
Defamatory language, misinformation and a refusal to engage constructively do not help our communities. They do not solve problems, improve services or support residents facing real challenges in their daily lives.
On Thursday, the Council’s responsibility is clear. The focus must be on electing a Leader who can provide stability, competence and direction. Residents expect serious leadership, not political theatre. They expect councillors to focus on the issues that matter: local services, public finances, community safety and the future of Kirklees.
The people of Kirklees did not elect us to create division. They elected us to deliver results. That must remain the priority.
@GoDaddy Last week I got an email, "renewal won't be possible because card is out of date". Logged in. Checked details, got confirmation its all ok. Today, you say you don't have a valid payment method on file. Are you a serious Internet company or run by a bunch of school boys
@vicgoddard@educationgovuk When has any Gov't fully funded a pay award? @hmtreasury is drunk on 'efficiency savings'. Civil servants don't live in same world as rest of us. Subsidised canteens, non-contributory pension, employee perks few others enjoy, etc.
All set up for the @SENDShowUK today in Manchester! Colin (@SENBooks ) is joining us as a volunteer today, and we have all the books from our website available! Come and say hello today or tomorrow 😀 (13th and 14th March)
#Dyscalculiamatters#dyscalculia
It was quite a day in court yesterday. Grateful to Channel 4 News for covering the case.
It’s all there:
Avoidable deaths.
90,000 emails deleted.
An entire NHS email account erased.
A key board meeting note denied to exist.
Thanks to all our supporters. It was a great turn out as always.
@BBCSurrey If a County Council is preparing for some "725 live tribunals" isn't it time to change the SEND offer in the County? Preparing for 2 tribunal hearings every day for a year is a total waste of SEND admin and a clear illustration that the services offered aren't meeting needs.
@realdoll03 More EHCPs are being required. Costs of SEND have risen. Many independent schools have been bought up. Schools are now charging higher fees. Sensory rooms and other specialist equipment have increased. Councils are in deficit on their SEND budgets but still not meeting needs.
@warwickmansell disgraceful conduct to use the income for disadvantaged pupils to advance the learning of the top 10%. I am concerned the misuse of EHCP and SEND funds will gather pace if the current Gov't Inclusion proposals put more strain on school budgets.
@AdamHighcliffe They do seem to be repeating alot if the errors of @LordBlunkett era where Inclusion was seen as the right solution and a lot of good specialist provision was lost. The shifting of the balance in funding, the huge high needs deficits are all playing their part in reshaping #SEND
@MeasuredEd Add to that SEND Assessment which the Gov't appears to believe schools will have the capacity to deliver in the name of Inclusion. It feels like the current Gov't hasn't learnt from @LordBlunkett and his Inclusion policy which had to be unravelled some years later.
We are offering a fully-funded @mgsesrcdtp PhD studentship related to dyscalculia screening and support @LboroDME in collaboration with the Cheshire and Wirral Maths Hub: https://t.co/Bg0ecMwIXV @DyscalculiaNet1@SLDnetwork
To celebrate the start of 2026, I have a copy of Primary Reading Simplified to give away.
For your chance to win, just **retweet this tweet**.
I will pick the winner at random on Saturday January 10th. Good luck!