Thread by @BHDemocracyNews

I'm at the Brighthelm Centre ready for @bhspeakout hustings, which is always one of the most interesting.

Live posts will start shortly #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout We have @rohanlowe opening the hustings for @bhspeakout which represents people with learning disabilities. The accessible hustings has a lot less jargon. There are 1.5 million people with learning disabilities in the UK. #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe Politics affects everyone says @rohanlowe as people are concerned about the cost of living, access to facilities, housing and education. The right to vote was fought for a long time ago, regardless of politics, make sure you cast your vote on 4 July, he says #LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe I've tagged the wrong Rohan, it's @rohandcl who introduced.

We're having an introduction to photo ID as you need Citizen Cards with PASS hologram, passport, bus passes, driving licence and biometric residence permits, #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl Candidates are coming in, we have Green @sianberry, Lib Dem Michael Wang, Independent @tanushkamarah and Conservative Sarah Webster #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Here are the candidates #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah .@sianberry wants to cut carbon emissions & reduce the harm being done to nature. Greens want to undo the damage done by the Conservatives, cut backs on services that help tackle inequalities. Labour is far ahead, they need to have Greens in Parliament with good ideas #LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Michael Wang for the Lib Dems standing in #Hove & #Portslade, he decided to stand because of the damage done over the last 10 years by the Conservatives, he had to do something rather than yelling at the radio. He is proud to be an immigration lawyer #LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah The first criticism of the Labour candidates for not coming to this hustings today #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Independent candidate @tanushkamarah is standing against the 2-party "horrorshow" that offers little home in the crisis we're living through. Inclusion is at the heart of everything she does Culture has to be for everyone to be interesting. NHS & schools are starved as are carers

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Conservative candidate for #Brighton Pavilion Sarah Webster says the city is full of rubbish, weeds & stricken with anti-social behaviour. She is concerned about the drug problems. Immediate justice helps young people who have taken a wrong turn onto the right path #LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah We're now having a 15-minute break

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah The candidates with @bhspeakout representatives #Ldreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah And we are back with the question and answer session at @bhspeakout
The first question from Michael, he is concerned about care contribution costs. The money stays the same as costs go up and people are in debt #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah .@sianberry is sorry this is happening, it is the government's choice to cut back. Greens are tackling the crisis in social care. Taxing the most wealthy will bring £20 billion to help with this. Society needs to level up & it is a priority #LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Michael Wang has heard this & the NHS & social care need change The Greens are not the only party to solve this. The Lib Dems have this in the manifesto #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah .@tanushkamarah people with benefits have to spend them with companies, this is a con. We are robbing people, the people who need that the most it's a disaster, there is the money by taxing corporations and the rich #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Conservative Sarah Webster says benefits have risen since covid but there is a need to review benefits and the assessment with an individual approach rather than one benefit fits all. She is sorry to hear people are struggling #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Cutting self advocacy is a problem, a young woman who is asking questions says without an advocate she won't be heard. The NHS has got worse. She has seen people on the floor, in corridors and people with learning disabilities are at risk. Are we moving to insurance? #LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Sarah Webster says advocacy funding needs to be looked at. The NHS should aways be free. It is difficult, hospitals are struggling. She went to hospital this week and found people working extremely hard. The NHS needs more funding, help and reorganisation #LDreporter #Brighton

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah People need to feel included says @tanushkamarah the pay gap needs to close, we need more supported housing, people living together to ease loneliness. We are all part of society, why should some people be looked after by charity The NHS is being sold off it must stop #LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Michael Wang says there is not enough money for charities which comes from councils but they are starved of funding. The Lib Dems are committed to the NHS being free at the point of use. Doctors are leaving. It is unacceptable. He does not believe the Conservatives have a plan

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Everyone need support to be an equal member of society says @sianberry We need to recover from austerity brought in by the Conservatives with the Lib Dems for 5 years. The NHS has creeping privatisation. Wes Streeting receives money from private healthcare & will bring in more

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Anna says 85% of care homes are privately owned. Her son's placement costs £300k a year. The home is owned by an American company. The profit is £900 profit. How do they get this out of the tax payer. English people have left within 12 months & Nigerian workers are earning less

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah What are the candidate's parties going to do about supporting American private companies, sorry the woman is Tina #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah This is capitalism, more important than workers rights and the vulnerable people being looked after says @tanushkamarah We have the money if it is fed back into this country. Why is it not free and why is it private. It is sneeky and must stop #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah It used to be an honourable profession that paid says Michael Wang. Migrant workers are not properly paid. There is a lack of funding. Without funding the issue will not be resolved. #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah It's a public service it should not come with masses of private profit says @sianberry Money going out in profits means people have poor wages and conditions. She has been writing to care home companies to find out if they pay the real living wage #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Sarah Webster says care homes should be safe spaces and profits are not right. The National Living Wage has doubled. She is concerned about people not paid the National Living Wage as people should be paid fairly for the work they do and the care they give. #LDreporter #Brighton

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Charlotte How will the candidates support people with autism and learning difficulties access affordable care #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Sarah Webster says there are a lot of programmes out there but they're not always getting the information. Any benefits she wants to know about are available through CAB #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah People with differences should not be "othered" says @tanushkamarah We need to understand the mental health epidemic is because people are bothered. She workers with counsellors in the room. We need a world that is less brutal #LDreporer #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Michael Wang says people with ASC &LD experience mental health issues. Mental health needs to be considered in the same way as physical health. Regular mental health check ups and counsellors in schools. Funded by taxes on Facebook and media companies #LDreporter #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah .@sianberry politicians say mental health needs to be taken seriously but people wait months or years for counselling and therapy. Harm occurs with every delay. Greens are committed to finding new mental health services and support is needed in schools #LDreporter #Brighton

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Robert says first past the post needs to change. In 2011 people did not understand the referendum. Why don't we change to proportional representation where people have a say and we need a written constitution #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah This is a wonderful point says Michael Wang We need to change the way politics is done The Lib Dems have fought for PR for decades. The Greens are expected to get 7% of the vote but will get at most 4 MPS. We need to look at citizens assembly and other processes #LDreporter #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Conservatives back FPP says Sarah Webster. There are more parties coming forward with valid points. Some people don't feel represented. PMQs is just the 2 main parties having a chat. Robert feels politicians need to work together, which Sarah agrees with #LDreporter #Brighton

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah .@tanushkamarah says without PR we don't have democracy. The House of Lords is ridiculous. We need a house of the people represented who we are. The Brexit referendum appealed to a racist vote and Labour and Tories are thumping on refugees and backing wars abroad #LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah FPP is not fair and means in very constituency you have to guess who will win, this is not right says @sianberry in #Brighton Pavilion it's a choice of Green or Labour, it is different either side, but it's not fair. She has promised to run an honest clean campaign, #LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah How will you ensure people with learning disabilities have opportunities for careers and jobs says Rohan #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Greens will support people in employment and are committed to lifelong learning if you've missed out says @sianberry She would like to see accessible employment. It isn't there people are left to fend for themselves #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Michael Wang the Equality Act 2010 sets out that employers must make reasonable adjustments and not discriminate. Employers don't take this seriously enough. It is a matter of enforcement and giving people with LD more choice and better funding for SEND in school #LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Conservatives took on the Robert Buckland review Neuro inclusivity is a passion for Sarah Webster The disability action plan & universal support People with disabilities in work placements with a support worker. It is terrible 3 in 10 people with ASC are unemployed & want to work

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah How will candidates support people with housing for those with learning disabilities? #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah We need more affordable and social housing. Fewer restrictions on building on brownfield sites says Sarah Webster #LDreporter #Brighton #HOve

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Housing has been bought by people abroad and the price goes up but they are empty and people are on the streets says @tanushkamarah Supported housing is a priority. We need controls on landlords and rents #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Michael Wang says housing is a human right but rent control is not the answer. Capping rents at lower than mortgage rates will mean good landlords will sell. Lib Dems want to build 150K social houses in the next parliament this is the solution #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Housing is a human right, so is accessible housing says @sianberry She has worked on housing issues for years. It needs funding from the government and funding for the support services to go with it. We need to buy homes off the market #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Public toilets have come up and @sianberry says too many public toilets have been removed.

Michael Wang the situation here in #Brighton & #Hove is worse than London. The council cannot afford to pay for toilets #LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah There's cuts to public services cuts to arts in schools, mental health suffers without music says @tanushkamarah Children are denied what they need to thrive #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Women need a safety wee says Sarah Webster. Lack of loos stops tourists coming to #Brighton. It costs more money. It's a right for everyone to go out safely and find a toilet. LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah There are no dentists left in the NHS, you have to pay a lot of money. A root canal and crown costs £1,300.
@tanushkamarah says mouths are close to our brain. We're going back to when British teeth were bad. We've all lost our dentists. People are travelling abroad #LDreporter

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Michael Wang says the UK has dental deserts, where it is impossible to access an NHS dentist and private care is more important. Dental pain impacts on daily life. The Lib Dems NHS rescue package dedicates £750 million to dental care #LDreproter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah If you're worried about NHS look at dentists because the Conservatives want people to pay for private treatment says @sianberry We will put £3 billion into dentistry, we need to pay dentists properly. Bad dental health causes problems for the future #LDreporter #Brighton

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Sarah Webster says it's a real problem. She has an NHS dentist but they are like gold dust. It needs to be more appealing for dentists to take on NHS patients. There are serious consequences for bad dental hygiene #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Michael says We have a fear of health assessments. It's very frightening to prove you can't work. Can you take the fear out? #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah There are people there to help you get advice and have compassion. People are coming because they have a need. They should not have to prove that need says Sarah Webster #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah People are viewed as an economic burden when they have disabilities. This is really shocking says @tanushkamarah It persecutes the most vulnerable and it is being investigated #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah A culture of disbelief in the benefits system is appalling says Michael Wang. The Lib Dems fought every day with the Conservatives to stop the excesses. George Osborne cut £50bln from the benefits budget once he could. Disabilites will not suddenly go away #LDreporter #Brighton

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah The system of contracted out tick box bureaucracy is systemic discrimination designed for people to fall through the cracks says @sianberry We can't have big contracts going out to people who make profits and designed to reduce the bill #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Debbie from #Brighton Greenpeace says people are concerned about climate change. People with disabilities pay more and climate crisis affects them more. What will you do to get to grips with the climate and nature #LDreporter #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah .@sianberry is looking at the discriminatory impacts of climate change. She has two bills ready to go if elected and hopes she will have Green colleagues with her #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Climate change is a threat says Michael Wang and the Lib Dems want net zero by 2045. Climate change is connected to housing, we need to refit leaking housing stock. It will reduce utility bills. It is real people affected #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah We have sewage in our seas and private companies have made £72 billion on privatising water. It is easy to imagine an end of the planet than changing our systems says @tanushkamarah We need to tax fossil fuels and have clean energy for homes #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Sewage was happening for years, in 2010 7% of spills were monitored now it's 100% says Sarah Webster. Southern Water had a £90 million fine for spillage. We will ban wetwipes with plastic. #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah A man with ADHD and dyspraxia volunteers because he can't find a full-time job. What will the candidates do about it. There are people who desperately want to work.
Conservatives say they support us but we need a government to trust. If the Conservatives cared why party at No 10

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Sarah Webster says ableism is real & the workplace needs to be held to account. She cannot account for Partygate but apologise on behalf of Conservatives. Benefits are increasing. #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah People are irreplaceable and precious. The workforce needs to be about creating communities not profits. Communities mean less ill health and poverty. We would be richer in health and heart says @tanushkamarah #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah We need to look at ADHD and Dyspraxia as a superpower because it brings new outlook. There are Conservative scandals daily. People need a local champion and that's what Lib Dem MPs will be says Michael Wang. The 2-child benefit cap is indefensible #LDreporter #Hove

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah Greens have lots of volunteers says @sianberry people with ADHD and struggle to hold jobs work well on the teams. There are untapped resources in the wealth of the very wealthy. 10s of thousands affected by wealth tax.

@bhspeakout @rohanlowe @rohandcl @sianberry @tanushkamarah We are coming to the end now with thanks to @bhspeakout for organising the event #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove

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