Restore Britain Sunderland

Tonight, Reform Sunderland passed TWO landmark transparency motions. Labour spent decades running Sunderland like its own private fiefdom. Now their historic decisions, charity funding and community asset transfers face scrutiny. No more cosy arrangements. No more political favouritism. Labour's days of marking its own homework are OVER.

Labour’s message to Sunderland: put up or shut up. The ironically named Minister for Border Security & Asylum has rejected my reasonable request to end asylum dispersal. I am livid about this. Labour have betrayed Sunderland AGAIN. Full letter released in the interest of transparency.

My name is now officially down on Reform's parliamentary motion on releasing money from the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme. Good cause, I'm happy to support their efforts.

A suspended Reform councillor has been CONVICTED for saying on Facebook that Nigerians should be melted down and used to fill potholes. Foolish thing to say, obviously. But convicted? Honestly? He was taking the piss. Does our justice system not have more important things to be looking at? Or are offensive jokes really the biggest crisis we're facing? Because if so, I do not recommend going into any rougher pubs in Doncaster, or Great Yarmouth, or Sunderland, or ANYWHERE. Yes, some people speak like this. Shall we lock them all up? I detest it. How long before they turn these laws against the rest of us? Free speech must be defended, and the right to offend must be defended. That's exactly what Restore Britain will do.

The truth will out. For too long, major decisions affecting Sunderland have been made behind closed doors, with important documents, financial information and reports kept out of public view. That is about to be challenged. This Wednesday, we will be bringing forward a motion to Full Council demanding a review of previously confidential documents relating to major decisions made by past administrations. I want the files opened. I want the financial records examined. I want the advice, reports and evidence behind those decisions brought into the daylight. If there is no longer a lawful reason to keep something secret, then it should be published. Simple as that. And let me be absolutely clear. We will not simply release documents and walk away. Where the evidence raises serious questions, we will ask them. Where decisions warrant further scrutiny, we will pursue it. And where things have gone wrong, I will push for answers. This is not about political point-scoring. It is about finding out exactly how decisions were made, what advice was given and how public money was handled. The people of Sunderland have every right to know what has been done in their name and with their money. No more hiding behind historic confidentiality where it is no longer justified. No more unanswered questions. No more sweeping difficult decisions under the carpet. On Wednesday, we take the next step towards opening the books. The people of Sunderland deserve the truth. And I intend to make sure they get it.