Levi Wellman, chairwoman of People’s Pride Southampton As a transgender woman, Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV), celebrated on March 31, is a very important day for me. Throughout the year, news surrounding trans people is either negative, or we are only mentioned when achievements from trans people are solely...
Opinion Pieces
Letter: unpaid carers will be bitterly disappointed by Chancellor’s Spring Statement
by Carers Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, Kirsty McHugh. “Carers Trust research last month showed that unpaid carers are at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis. However, the Chancellor has again missed the opportunity to support unpaid carers, without whom our health and social care system would...
Opinion: almost 30 years on, marching against racism is still sadly necessary
by Manthan Pathak. On Saturday (March 19) I attended a march against racism in central London to commemorate UN Anti-Racist Day, along with a coach full of campaigners from Southampton Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) and around 10,000 others from across the country. The first anti-racism demonstration I attended...
Opinion: We need to stand together for the people of Ukraine
by Jonathan Mitchell. The way the British government has responded to the Ukrainian refugee crisis has been nothing short of a moral failure. After two weeks of intense and brutal fighting and indiscriminate violent from the Russian forces, as of 16 March only 6,100 refugees have been issued visas...
Opinion: Insecurity In the City
by Simon Oldham, founder of Southampton Social Aid Group and Saints Fans Supporting Foodbanks. During the last couple years with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen a massive increase in the need for support across this city and country. However, it would be untrue to say this level...
View from the Kingsland: Superstition and Momentum
by Nick Mabey. I don’t think of myself as particularly superstitious in any other aspect of my life. But when Southampton FC have an outstanding run of form (on average once every few years if you’re asking) something strange starts to happen. Put simply, and despite all evidence to...
Opinion: Southampton is a very deprived area – so why is it left out of Tory ‘Levelling Up’ plans?
by Jonathan Mitchell. We were promised levelling up for all, and yet we’re getting the opposite of that. The government has announced a “Levelling Up” white paper (LU paper), a 330 page strategy. While it’s hard to disagree with the premise of the LU paper’s policy proposals (integrating transport,...
View from the Kingsland: New owners, new hopes, old fears
by Nick Mabey. After four years of a form of nothingness with our previous owner, and many months of speculation, on 4th January the Saints were finally taken over by a new company, Sport Republic. If the previous regime was marked by inertia and silence, or perhaps more kindly...
Opinion: Access to leisure is a lifesaver – don’t close St Mary’s Leisure Centre
by Nick Chaffey. Southampton Council says its priority is our health and wellbeing, but it seems St Mary’s can do without. During the pandemic, poor health and poverty have been key causes of serious health complications and death. Access to leisure is a lifesaver. Council cabinet member John Hannides says...
Opinion: Providing a treasure map – why I’m backing Southampton’s bid to be City of Culture 2025
by Sally Churchward, founding editor of In Common I am proud to have been invited to be one of the ambassadors of Southampton’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2025. I firmly believe that the city deserves to be selected for the accolade – here’s why. I came...