1. Evidence from Wirral Council's published accounts shows:

2. There is no budgetary justification for cuts to front line services nor compulsory redundancies.

3. Cuts to well-used local services are a political choice not a necessity.

As a result of questions from myself and members of the public, Merseyside Pension Committee decided to consider a full report at its next meeting (Feb 2022) regarding investments in companies trading in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

I am delighted to say that the Labour Party expelled me a couple of days ago [19 November]. I’m still euphoric about it. I’ve been having non-stop parties, great conversations and being reunited with so many good comrades who are no longer members of the Party. All kinds of options are open to us, going forwards.

I'm delighted that the Labour Party have expelled me.

They say its because I spoke at a meeting (more than three years ago) and signed a petition (early 2020) - organised by Labour Against the Witchhunt. The Labour Party banned Labour Against the Witchhunt only 4 months ago.

The Labour Party sent me yet another bullying letter on 24 August - the fourth disciplinary action against me by head office in two and a half years.

The Labour Party wrote that I may not remain a member because, more than a year ago, I gave a great speech, spoke at a meeting and signed a letter arranged by Labour Against the Witchhunt, an organisation they banned in July 2021. My legal response was submitted today, Rosh Hashonah.

Its three years ago today since I was first honoured to be elected as Labour Councillor for Bromborough.

I’ve reported back from my first and second year. In the last year, I have:

1. Tackled hundreds of diverse problems raised by hundreds of local ward residents and organisations.

2. Supported ward residents to speak directly to Council committees on issues including mis-selling of leasehold, road safety, park lighting, pension investments and local business recovery.

BY ITS REFUSAL TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE JEWISH CHRONICLE, IPSO HAS PROVED IT IS A SHAM

Statement by victims of libel by the Jewish Chronicle and members of the public whose complaints against the paper were upheld by IPSO.

In August we wrote to Lord Faulks, the chair of IPSO, pointing to the collapse of journalistic standards at the Jewish Chronicle and urging him to initiate a formal Standards Investigation into what had gone wrong. The Editors’ Code of Conduct had been breached 33 times in three years and the paper admitted libel on four occasions in the same period.

"Thank you to all the organisers for this protest for Peace for Palestine today. We are cross-community, we are cross-party and we are all campaigning for justice together.

As well as being elected as Labour Councillor for Bromborough, I also am Jewish.

My Jewish great grandparents fled European fascism for safety in England. Some of my family perished in the Holocaust. Some of my Jewish family live in Israel and Palestine. Some of my friends also - brave teenagers like Antalya who refuse to serve in the Israeli army of occupation.

Wirral Council remembers one year ago, the first reported covid death on the Wirral on 23 March 2020. We mourn over 950 covid related deaths on the Wirral.

There have been over 900 excess deaths, more than average for last 5 years. We share the ongoing grief of bereaved families and friends on the Wirral and beyond.

We're here in memory of all the women who've been raped or murdered. All our sisters. We won't let it be forgotten.

Diane Sindall was murdered here in Birkenhead in 1986. I came here when I was 15 to protest.

We also remember Annette McGavigan who was killed when she was 14, in Derry~Londonderry in 1971.

Jill Dando, 1999

Shafilea Ahmed, 2003

…

Wirral Council should not be in this situation today. [Budget meeting 1.3.21]

This cruel Conservative government promised local authorities will be fully funded to do "whatever it takes" to deal with Covid. But Wirral Council has little choice but take a £10.9 million [£9m confirmed later] loan from the government just so that it can provide vital support for our residents, in our year of need.

Cllr Jo Bird takes action on homelessness.

“In addition, Wirral Council Housing Committee notes that the most common cause of homelessness is being evicted at the end of a private rented tenancy contract.

I’m speaking in a personal capacity. I am a Jewish woman. My Jewish great grandparents fled fascism in Europe and my grandad’s cousins perished in the Holocaust.

I have experienced warmth and welcome at almost all levels of the Labour party. 46,150 members voted for me in NEC by-elections, earlier this year. Thank you very much!

As a Jew, I worry about racism against Jewish people. I also worry about privileging the racism faced by Jewish communities in this country, as more worthy of resources than other forms of discrimination such as against Black people, Palestinians, Muslims and refugees. Abuses of power are measured in detentions, deportations and deaths.

I am proud to stand together with Cllr Matt White to represent local councillors on the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee. Like many in the party, the values of justice and socialism are close to my heart. My own family history and our Labour movement’s collective struggles drive me to ensure that these values are put into practice, rather than just being empty words.

Speech at Labour Representation Committee conference.

Inspired by all of us, I was elected as a Labour councillor on the Wirral two years ago. I am standing for election to Labour’s National Executive Committee. For two seats for local government representatives, alongside my brilliant comrade Councillor Matt White from Haringey. Only Labour councillors can vote for us.

I’m standing for the NEC again.

Only Labour Councillors can vote for me and excellent comrade Matt White

Thank you very much Alan and everybody here for a fantastic demonstration. Alan’s right, I am standing for the NEC [National Executive Committee] again. This time for the Local Government section and every Labour Councillor can vote for me and my excellent comrade Matt White. Unfortunately, I won’t get the chance to have the votes from Labour members across the country. Last time I won 46,000 votes, so thank you very much.

I was elected as Labour councillor for Bromborough two years ago today.

In my first year, I gained hardship payments for disaster victims in my ward and became secretary of Wirral Labour Group under new leadership. I experienced brief administrative suspension from the Labour Party, which helped me better represent my constituents, fellow Labour party members and councillors.

Elections are being held for two local councillor representatives to serve on Labour’s governing body.

Backed by the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour Councillors, I (Jo Bird) am standing for election with my brilliant comrade, Councillor Matt White.

Jo Bird's contribution to “Labour Leaks - Lessons for the Left” meeting organised by Don’t Leave, Organise!

Thank you very much. Excellent speakers and thanks very much to Don’t Leave, Organise for organising this event. Its really crucial that we sustain ourselves through the struggles that we’re actively engaged in.