Workers Party of Britain - North East England

Mark is a fantastic candidate

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🗳️ My postal vote is in! 📮

I’ve just marked my 'X' for myself for the North Tyneside Council elections. This election is about our community's future.

As your neighbor and candidate, I am committed to the people of Cullercoats and Whitley Bay South. If you’ve received your postal ballot today, I’d be honored to have your support.

Let’s keep North Tyneside moving forward together! ⚙️🚩

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Get yourself along to the Tommy Hepburn memorial lecture by the Follonsby Wardley Miners Lodge Association, featuring our Workers Party leader George Galloway, and a welcome speech from David Douglas from 7pm Saturday 13 September at the Irish Centre.

Tommy Hepburn memorial lecture building a new working class politics

Do you use the terms "hinny" and "marra", and if not, why not?!

Piece by Muhammed Ali Ghori - WPB North East member and activist:

Who’s to Blame for the UK’s Small Boat Migrant Crisis?

The surge in illegal migrant crossings from Calais to the UK has ignited fierce debate over responsibility. Is it the migrants themselves, the French government’s alleged lax governance, or the British government’s policy failures that have allowed this crisis to escalate?

The French Role: Governance and Enforcement

France has long been criticised for its inability or unwillingness to prevent migrants from launching dinghies from its northern coast. Despite a £500 million UK-funded deal to bolster French beach patrols, crossings have continued to rise. French mayors in Calais have expressed frustration, blaming the UK’s asylum system for creating a “pull factor” that incentivizes migrants to attempt the crossing. Surveillance equipment funded by Britain has reportedly failed to deter smugglers, and French police have been accused of inconsistent enforcement.

The British Government: Policy Gaps and Brexit Fallout

The UK’s departure from the EU and the Dublin Agreement has significantly weakened its ability to return migrants to safe EU countries. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent “one-in, one-out” deal with France aims to return migrants arriving illegally while accepting an equal number of asylum seekers through legal channels. However, critics argue the scheme is too limited returning only 50 migrants weekly while over 800 arrive each week. Legal loopholes and human rights claims further complicate deportations.

The Migrants: Desperation or Exploitation?

While some migrants flee persecution, others are motivated by economic opportunity. Reports suggest many are young men who discard identification documents, making background checks difficult. Smuggling gangs exploit this desperation, charging thousands for perilous crossings. Yet, blaming migrants alone ignores the systemic failures that enable these journeys.

Impacts on the UK: The Next Five Years

Negative Impacts:
- Fiscal Strain: The Centre for Policy Studies estimates that recent migration waves could cost UK taxpayers £234 billion over migrants’ lifetimes, due to access to NHS, housing, and benefits.
- Housing Pressure: Increased demand may outpace supply, exacerbating the housing crisis.
- Public Sentiment: Rising anti-immigration protests and social tensions could intensify if crossings continue unabated.

Positive Impacts:
- Labour Market Support: Migrants, especially in care and delivery sectors, fill critical labour shortages.
- Demographic Balance: Migrants tend to be of working age, helping offset the UK’s aging population and supporting pension systems.
- Cultural Diversity: Migration contributes to the UK’s multicultural identity and global connectivity.

Conclusion: Shared Responsibility

Blame cannot be pinned on one actor alone. The French government’s enforcement gaps, the UK’s post-Brexit policy vacuum, and the migrants’ own decisions all contribute to the crisis. A coordinated, humane, and enforceable migration strategy is essential. Without it, the UK risks both humanitarian failures and long-term socio-economic strain.

Homelessness in Newcastle Upon Tyne: A Legal and Strategic Critique | By Workers Party North East Activist Muhammed Ghori

Homelessness in Newcastle Upon Tyne is a consequence of systemic failures rooted in austerity, housing insecurity, and inadequate welfare support. Despite Newcastle City Council’s designation as a “Homelessness Prevention Trailblazer,” the city faces rising homelessness, with over 230 individuals affected. The council’s recent proposal to halve funding for homelessness prevention—from £3.3 million to £1.6 million—constitutes a material breach of its statutory duty under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. This reduction directly undermines the council’s legal obligation to prevent homelessness and provide adequate support to vulnerable residents.

The root causes include unaffordable housing, welfare sanctions, mental health challenges, and domestic abuse. While the council claims to offer emergency housing and support through its Housing Advice Centre, the proposed budget cuts will eliminate over 300 commissioned beds, placing lives at imminent risk. Former rough sleepers and charities such as Changing Lives have publicly warned that these cuts will result in preventable deaths.

Resolution requires a legally binding commitment to restore and expand funding for homelessness prevention. The council must reinstate full financial support for commissioned beds, invest in wraparound services, and enforce early intervention protocols. Furthermore, it must collaborate with third-sector organisations like Crisis Skylight Newcastle to deliver holistic, person-centred support. Failure to do so may constitute constructive negligence, exposing the council to judicial review and reputational liability.

Council leaders, including the Cabinet Member for Housing, have failed to provide transparent impact assessments or consult affected communities prior to implementing cuts. This omission violates principles of procedural fairness and public sector equality duty under the Equality Act 2010. The council’s complicity is evident in its prioritisation of fiscal austerity over human dignity, despite possessing discretionary powers to reallocate budgetary resources.

In conclusion, Newcastle City Council must be held legally and morally accountable for its role in perpetuating homelessness. Immediate remedial action is required to avert further harm and uphold the city’s statutory and ethical obligations. Anything less is a dereliction of duty.

Former health secretary backs £20 fee for GP appointments | Pulse Today

Former health secretary backs £20 fee for GP appointments The NHS should introduce a £20 fee for GPs appointments, a paper backed by former health secretary Sajid Javid has recommended.