By Crips Against Cuts. On Saturday 5th April, activists and their disabled allies in Portsmouth will be rallying outside the Guildhall to say ‘enough is enough’ and reject the government’s planned welfare cuts, as well as the proposed changes to assessment for disabled people to access work exemption benefits,...
Opinion Pieces
Opinion: Is Saving Grassroots Venues Enough? Why Ed Sheeran’s campaign for music education is so important
By Christopher Taylor. On 23rd March 2025, Ed Sheeran shared a letter in this Facebook post calling for the Labour Government to ‘repair decades of dismantling music’ through an increase of support for young musicians. His five-point proposal focuses on increasing music provision in schools through increased funding,...
Opinion: ‘public transport cuts will leave residents cut off from everyday life’
By Susan Dorsett, leaf for Knightwood/Valley Park Campaigners. Written in response to Hampshire County Council rejecting petition and letters hand delivered by disabled bus pass holders in March 2025. This is another devastating, frustrating blow to our disabled residents, not just within Knightwood/Valley Park, but throughout our beautiful, glorious...
Opinion: My mixed feelings around Trans Day of Visibility
By Mabel Wellman. Every year, 31st March is Trans Day Of Visibility. This is a day to celebrate the incredible people in our community and the achievements we have made to society. Whether that be in fighting for the rights of all people in the LGBT community, such...
Reader’s letter: Ever since I came out as trans, it’s been more dangerous to be transgender
By Devin Valentine. Every year since I came out as a transgender man in 2011, it’s become more and more dangerous to be transgender – not less. Let that sink in… And I’m not talking about for me, I’m fine – day to day nobody on the street would...
Reader’s letter: We condemn misleading and inflammatory coverage of local school’s Easter plans
By Adnan Chaudry, Southampton Stand Up To Racism. Southampton Stand Up To Racism strongly condemns the misleading and inflammatory coverage by sections of the media regarding Norwood Primary School’s decision on its Easter celebrations. We are also deeply concerned by the involvement of MPs who do not represent the...
Reader’s letter: why we held an emergency vigil for Gaza
By Southampton Palestine Solidarity Campaign. On Friday 21st March concerned people from many different backgrounds held an Emergency Vigil in Southampton outside the Civic Centre. This was to protest against Israel breaking the terms of the ceasefire and refusing to move to Stage 2 of the agreed ceasefire deal. Instead...
Reader’s letter: Trans Pride Southampton stands in solidarity with the USA queer community
By Trans Pride Southampton. Trans Pride Southampton stands in solidarity with the queer community in the USA. Who are facing growingly more blatant hostility towards particular trans people. We never thought we’d have to say this so quickly, but we must assert it is in no way fraudulent for...
Opinion: This International Women’s Day I’m feeling bitter and proud
By Elliott Eden. I’m a 16 year old AFAB (assigned female at birth) and this is how I’m feeling this International Women’s Day: bitter. Most days I feel too scared to leave the house, mostly not from any fear of physical danger but just from the usual...
Opinion: Mutual aid – a response to fascism
By Manthan Pathak. If you haven’t watched Ken Loach’s final film, The Old Oak, it tells the story of a village divided by the arrival of a family of Syrian immigrants who are greeted with tremendous hostility, but build friendships as they work with the community to save...