Raymond Procter

Laugh a minute, luv my ale,cant do with liar MP's LUFC, luv Barca luv Catalunya. Save the NHS

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

@itvcalendar No wind in Leeds today 🤫

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

Well done 🎉

[Jake Williamson @CllrJWilliamson]

I resigned the Labour whip during @MyWakefield meeting.

Whilst speaking in a debate on austerity and welfare cuts, it became clear that the Labour Group are unwilling to genuinely represent the needs and interests of our district.

Instead of supporting my motion in demanding an end to austerity, the reversal of all welfare cuts and the proper financing of local government, among other things. Labour Councillors overwhelmingly responded by watering it down, defending or excusing the government's actions and deflecting back onto the Tories and Lib Dems.

Yes, criticism of the Tories and Lib Dems is warranted for their involvement in austerity over the last 14 years but, it is a Labour government that is doing it now. If we are not prepared to oppose this government with the same veracity as we did the Tories, then we are nothing more than hypocrites.

Putting the current welfare cuts into perspective, they are the fifth largest tranche of cuts since 2010 and the largest since 2015. Essentially meaning that this so-called Labour Government are cutting benefits at higher levels than 9 of the 14 years the Tories were in office.

Aditionally, the current disability cuts go further than the Tories were prepared to go to in 2018, as they are 3x larger than the cuts that Ian Duncan Smith resigned over.

Whilst there have been other issues within the Labour Group and the wider Party that have influenced my decision, this debate was the final straw. The Labour Group are unwilling to call the government's cuts for what they really are - a continuation of Tory austerity.

I was already suspended from the party for voting against the Labour Group's austerity budget which, reduced Council services by £29m, cut 250 jobs and raised Council tax by the maximum.

I cannot continue to legitimise a Labour Cabinet which lied about the scale of the job cuts, and tried to decieve residents when u-turning on cuts to libraries and the garden waste services.

I cannot remain a member of a political group that conducts itself in this manner, and is willing to stand by whilst the government betrays its own values and the working-class communities it is supposed to represent.

Equally, I cannot continue to legitimise a Labour government that has reneged on its manifesto commitments and is attacking the poorest and most vulnerable in our society. This is not the Labour Party I joined, and it is not the Labour Party people voted for.

Our district deserves better than Councillors who are putting their own positions and allowances over the needs of our residents. We deserve politicians, at all levels of government, who are honest and will genuinely represent our interests.

This decision is not me leaving the Labour Party - it is the Labour Party that has left us. They do not represent working-class communities anymore and I could not look my residents in the eye if I were to continue legitimising the disgraceful choices of this Party.

Just to be clear, whilst I have resigned the Labour whip, I will continue to represent Hemsworth, Kinsley, Fitzwilliam, South Hiendley & Felkirk. It will just be from the opposition benches, as an Independent Councillor.

Solidarity,

Jake

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

@ThreeUK Utter shitshow

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

@ThreeUK It isn’t a small percentage it’s a UK wide wipeout are we all going to get refunds on our bills????? #shitshow

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

Stop giving other countries our money, it’s ours not the governments

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

@Thehullboy1 Well done 👍🏻

[Dave Clark @DaveClarkTV]

Back for the final night of @springsteen European tour at @wembleystadium My 18 year old son George was brought up the right way #Lufc and #BruceSpringsteen

[Greg Mulholland @GregMulholland1]

I’m not a Labour supporter but this is utterly shameful & fraudulent. The so-called ‘Tax Check UK’ is the @Conservatives press office OFFICIAL @X account.

The once respectable #ConservativeParty is now a dishonest disgrace. Sack all behind this. Goebbels would proud. Disgusting.

[The Blackpool Tower @TheBplTower]

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of rugby league legend Rob Burrow CBE.

Last night, the Blackpool Tower lit up in blue and yellow, the colours of his former club, @leedsrhinos.

Our thoughts are with Rob’s family, friends, all at Leeds Rhinos and the MND community.

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

@andreajenkyns Nadine will be jealous 🤣

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

@RishiSunak Contracts for the family are working £££££££££££🐀

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

@RishiSunak 🤣🤣🤣

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

@_Rosamary_ All good have, thank you

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

Leeds city council, spends ££££££ on putting cycle lanes on Regent St only to dig the whole lot up just over a year later, Council LeaderLewis couldn’t run a bath, more craters in Leeds than on the moon #votethislotout

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

Match of the day, men’s football, 2 women presenters, the games gone, fucking shitshow

[Emily’s Football Tips @EmilyTaylorTips]

MAN CITY VS MAN UNITED BET BUILDERS AND FOULS BETS😍

I landed a 65/1 longshot yesterday, let's smash it again today!😜

Everybody who ❤️ and retweets this tweet will get my upcoming tips!👀

You must turn my notifications on and drop me a follow to receive my tips🔔

[Football Away Days @AwayDays_]

Leeds fans with ‘I predict a riot’ after beating Leicester tonight👏

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

@AldiUK any reason for you to stop selling toilet rolls wrapped in paper to go back to plastic wrapped #environment

[Raymond Procter @rayprocter]

@JamesCleverly Thick as 💩storms???