Andy Large's political miscellanea

Dear Editor, I note with a heavy heart the recent victory of the Green Party in the Gorton and Denton by-election. Gorton and Denton lies less than 23 miles from the centre of Congleton, and I sincerely hope that our close neighbours will receive effective and balanced parliamentary representation under their new Member of Parliament. It is deeply troubling to observe how closely certain Green Party policies appear to align with the most extreme collectivist ideologies of the past. Their explicit commitment to the "effective abolition of private landlordism"—a position formally adopted by the party—stands out as particularly alarming. That such rhetoric, which targets a specific group of property owners with the intent of eradicating their role in society, can be voiced by a mainstream political party, without widespread condemnation or scrutiny from the media is profoundly disappointing. One cannot help but feel that similar language directed at other groups would rightly pr...

Dear Editor, The shocking Council Tax increases proposed by Cheshire East Council are a bitter pill that residents of Congleton area are being forced to swallow. We are continually told that these aggressive tax hikes are necessary to protect the vulnerable. But a closer look at the council's finances reveals a far more infuriating truth: taxpayers are being forced to bail out the systemic incompetence and staggering wastefulness of successive national and local governments. At the national level, we have endured a decade of chaotic policymaking. Westminster has slashed core funding while ignoring the demographic crisis in social care. Furthermore, the sudden cancellation of HS2 left Cheshire East with £11 million in preparatory costs—largely funded by borrowing—that must now be written off at our expense. However, local politicians cannot hide behind Westminster's failures. Successive administrations at Cheshire East have demonstrated a shocking lack of respect for public mone...

Dear Editor, Oh joy – our ever-vigilant MP Sarah Russell is at it again, bravely championing the DadShift crusade for longer, "properly paid" paternity leave. Because clearly what Britain's economy needs right now is yet another generous dollop of extra costs slapped onto businesses, just as families are clinging on through yet another round of price rises. In her own words: "Dads and partners should be able to take longer, properly paid leave when a child is born." How progressive! How compassionate! And how delightfully oblivious to the tiny detail that someone has to pay for it. Spoiler: it won't be coming out of thin air or the magic money tree. Employers will foot a hefty chunk of the bill – higher payroll costs, cover for absent staff, training temps – all of which will, surprise surprise, get quietly passed on in higher prices for everything from your weekly shop to your morning coffee. Meanwhile, that "properly paid" bit? Currently statutor...

Dear Editor, I was heartened to read the recent public letter from Connor Naismith MP, representative for Crewe and Nantwich, robustly calling for an end to the use of hotels in Crewe as accommodation for asylum seekers. His words resonate strongly with many in our local communities, highlighting the unsustainable strain on local services and infrastructure caused by housing these individuals in inappropriate facilities. It's particularly concerning, however, that so many fighting-age men of unknown origins are being housed in hotels in towns and villages right across England. Placing large numbers of young men whose backgrounds, nationalities, and intentions have not been fully verified or transparently explained into ordinary residential areas raises serious questions about safety, community cohesion, and the adequacy of any vetting process. This is not a sustainable or responsible approach anywhere in the country. I can't help but point out the incredible hypocrisy in this s...