In 2014, I came to the attention of the #DWP work assessments. By the time they were finished with me (when the Tribunal found in my favour), I was homeless and DWP had dragged their heels so much that they owed me £5,000 (for which I was paying eye-watering interest to my bank). They'd spent 18 months trying (successfully) to bully me, often sending me 2 or 3 of their brown envelopes a day, claiming I owed them £12,500 (I didn't), losing my paperwork, lying, etc etc - some of you will sadly have similar stories.

Tribunal told DWP to stop harrassing me.

Children in Victorian poverty in our schools: @Channel4News this evening.

My dad died when I was small. Subsequently, I had two episodes of homelessness as a child (early 1960s). I stole food to feed my Mum and me.

When I became a teacher in inner London, I still saw poverty... But it seemed *comparatively* unusual, resulting from particular circumstances (like my experiences).

What's become clear in the last 5 years is that it's no longer unusual, it's no longer temporary, it's no longer linked to illness or 'inadequacy'. Now it's a feature of life.

During 2016, I campaigned with all my heart to Remain.

Very early on, I realised the 'official' Remain group ("Stronger In") was incompetent and even obstructive.

In my wilder moments, I even began to wonder if there was foul play going on.

#EURef
#Remain
#StrongerIn
(Cont...) Later, I found out that the Chair of Stronger In was Stuart Rose, a man who had previously advocated for #Leave, who is on record as stating that #Brexit would lead to higher wages and who is now vigorously opposing a 2nd referendum... Not, in my submission, a committed Remainer.