Cllr David Ward 🌹 @DwTenterden Twitter profile

Pinned Tweet

Cllr David Ward 🌹

2 years

Proud to have moved successful motion on proportional representation at Labour’s Annual Conference 2022. Time for Labour to make all votes matter wherever they are cast.

5

19

98

Last Seen Profiles

@Airidebabe

@Lolnomi

@GenevieveChase

@matthias160

@nat_amora

@alisonwrightpr

@DonegalETB

@crocscoin

@GMHSBBALL

@APS_Research

@Mulusu

@IwantKill133

@AiHounds

@warriorwolf714

@toncu34_39

@thepctvibes

@muraco_lhs

@Tdouble0N

@haasoliviercha1

@HANNA10068355

@TrashDemonsNFT

@eduacastro

@ColaisteNaMi

@lilya_neko

@keviin_mayorgaa

@olalius

@Angella410020

@iris_noir2023

@SwapMom9

@AteeqRe88474828

@ChrisHogan_15

@ANeSmith97

@ttttqe75

@ScienceMagazine

@octorand

@Xetzly

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

4 years ago my late son Alex Ward was working his socks off to serve the public on Ashford Council. He succeeded with fine @UKLabour victory in Beaver Ward. Tragically he was lost to MND in July 2020. I’m standing this year in his memory & to follow his example of public service.

301

851

8K

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 months

Grim to see Nigel Farage with his photographer at Ranville 6th Airborne cemetery where my uncle is buried. Told him it was disgusting to weaponise D Day saying small boat crossings ‘invasion in reverse’, or as attack against alleged woke teaching. He didn’t stay for the service.

1K

4K

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Labour has won 11 of 13 mayoral elections across England. Tories now want to force future mayoral contests to be first past the post rather than supplementary vote system used now. They know FPTP favours the right. Time now for @UKLabour to support @Labour4PR #MakeVotesMatter !

57

838

2K

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

As Margaret Beckett stands down as chair of @UKLabour NEC worth celebrating her remarkable contribution to public life. 1st elected MP in 1974. 1st female Deputy Leader UKLabour. 1st female Foreign Secretary. Also Sec of State for Trade & Industry, Environment & Commons Leader.

42

190

1K

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Huge show of hands in favour of PR motion at #Lab21 . Card vote called but support for electoral reform now at the highest level I have ever seen in over 40 years @UKLabour membership. Congratulations @Labour4PR on a superb campaign!

27

251

1K

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

When John Smith tragically died in May 1994 @UKLabour was polling 21% ahead of Tories & by nearly 20% on which party ‘best to manage economy’. A month later we won landslide in EuroParl elections with 42.6% of vote. Proud of his legacy setting Labour on clear path to 97 victory.

32

105

968

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

On the anniversary of his sad death in 1994 a compilation of @UKLabour leader John Smith’s House of Commons demolitions of John Major’s Conservative Government. A masterclass in the combination of humour & political attack.

68

248

936

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

With my son Alex on the campaign trail in 2019. He won & was so proud to be elected to Ashford Council. Today is his 34th birthday but tragically he was lost to MND in July 2020. Much missed every day but always an inspiration to his family & friends.

44

54

785

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Having helped write the Leader’s speech for late John Smith, I know the huge effort required. That was a fine performance by @Keir_Starmer setting a clear objective for all @UKLabour members to keep our eyes focussed on: winning power at the next election.

16

97

759

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Good to see a leading @UKLabour politician who gets the need for electoral reform. Welcome support for proportional representation & Lords reform much needed for democratic renewal.

13

281

750

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Labour’s changing attitude to electoral reform powerfully demonstrated by @campbellclaret call to end first past the post: . Time for @UKLabour to make all votes matter equally no matter where they are cast.

10

262

527

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

In 2021 @UKLabour won 11 out of 13 mayoral elections all under proportional representation. Now the Tories have legislated for them to be held in future under First Past the Post. Making voting less fair is the Tory tactic of trickle down democracy in plain sight.

7

263

437

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

28 years ago @UKLabour leader John Smith died. His legacy includes minimum wage, freedom of information, & devolution. He argued that social justice & economic efficiency go hand in hand. Policies & ideas inherited by Tony Blair & lasting achievements of 1997 Labour Government.

12

72

381

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Huge progress #Labour4PR campaign as UK’s largest trade union @unisontheunion votes to scrap First Past The Post. Joins UNITE, ASLEF, Musicians Union, FBU, CWU & more supporting electoral reform. With over 80% @UKLabour members in favour of PR time for policy change is now.

11

122

341

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

7 months

Brilliant explanation of the reality of Brexit by Kent farmer David Catt. Compare the arrogant condescension of Rees Mogg with the straight talking of a farmer who actually knows what he is talking about.

John O’Brennan

@JohnOBrennan2

7 months

This is the most glorious three minutes of TV I’ve watched in years. Watch @Jacob_Rees_Mogg get his faux aristocratic bottom handed to him on a farmer’s plate.

150

669

3K

7

119

330

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Who voted for trickledown Truss? Where is the mandate? Our democracy is broken by winner takes all voting system that allows the Tories to force feed policies that majority reject. @UKLabour must win big at next GE & then opt for fair votes to make first past the post history.

16

91

275

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

11 months

Let’s wipe out First Past The Post. Britain needs electoral reform to make all votes matter equally wherever they are cast.

3

71

270

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Much missed @UKLabour leader John Smith died today in 1994. @Emma_MacLennan & I were proud to work & be friends with him. For a wonderful reminder of the warmth of his character & values take a listen to his 1991 appearance on Desert Island Discs.

9

55

263

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Powerful critique by @annettedittert @NewStatesman of Britain’s democratic decay under our ‘winner takes all’ 1st past the post elections. Time for @UKLabour & @Keir_Starmer to restore trust in politics by giving democratic reform the priority it deserves.

13

111

239

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

30 years ago John Smith set out a radical agenda to build a citizen’s democracy. Like @Keir_Starmer today Smith wanted to end ‘sticking plaster politics’. But to achieve this @UKLabour must support fair votes & scrap first past the post!

12

92

232

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Great article in the Times by James Forsyth of the Spectator on why proportional representation is an existential threat to the Tories. Must read @Keir_Starmer & entire Labour leadership. And why @Labour4PR motion to 2022 Conference must be supported!

12

100

219

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

This graph @DavidHenigUK puts Aus/U.K. trade deal into perspective. 200 more deals like this needed to compensate for predicted loss of GDP caused by leaving the Single Market (not mandated in 2016) but there just aren’t enough countries. Hard Brexit remains an act of self harm!

7

126

213

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Forget idea that Rishi Sunak is a Thatcherite. He wants to repeat John Major’s election win in 1992. That’s why @Keir_Starmer must study the Tory tactics of the election Labour lost rather than the 1997 landslide. My latest @MileEndInst blog explains why.

21

54

212

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

For too long New Labour figures like @DMiliband have pushed a ‘one more heave’ myth about John Smith. 30 years since he became @UKLabour leader I argue they’re wrong @MileEndInst : His legacy was more radical & reforming than Blair’s ‘modernisers’ think 1/7

11

53

214

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Very pleased that last night @AshfordLabour All Members Meeting voted overwhelmingly for @UKLabour to support electoral reform & principle of proportional representation. And proud to be selected as our CLPs delegate to #LabourConference2022 in Liverpool. #Labour4PR #PassItOn

2

63

199

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

A brilliant clip of my old boss John Smith using humour to devastating effect against John Major. At the end even the Tories start laughing and Labour’s benches erupt...I remember working on that speech like it was yesterday. Happy memories of a great leader.

24

53

169

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Great result @AshfordLabour now with 11 Councillors, including winning back our late son Alex Ward’s seat in Beaver. I came second in Tenterden North but I’m delighted to have taken a seat on Tenterden Town Council with plenty of local issues to campaign on.

11

167

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Delighted & proud to have moved successful @AshfordLabour composite motion in favour of proportional representation. Long time supporter of PR & great to contribute to historic #LabourConference2022 vote. Thanks to @Labour4PR team for their brilliant campaign. #MakeVotesMatter

11

48

165

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Awkward truth is that nothing will ‘make Brexit work’ because the hard Brexit we’ve got is unworkable. Best that can be done is to mitigate its worst effects. Ultimately only new relationship to Single Market will halt interminable squabbles & economic stagnation of Brexternity.

13

58

164

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Wonderful evening celebrating the 90th birthday of @AlfDubs in the House of Lords. Alf’s is a truly inspirational public servant. A kindertransport child that has contributed so much as MP for Battersea, @UKLabour peer, Northern Ireland Minister & champion of refugee children.

4

28

130

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

The Guardian is right to say that @UKLabour should back PR. But wrong to say that the party does not back reform. At #LabConference22 a historic motion was passed with unprecedented support. Some argue that PR is a distraction but most Lab members want it.

9

33

126

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

7 months

@fleetstreetfox #WealdofKentLabour has already asked Ms Lam 5 questions about her roles working for disgraced Johnson & Braverman. No reply yet! Her letter says nothing about this. As Tory rural support crumbles not surprising she’s being very coy about her hard right Tory past.

1

23

123

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 months

Touching that one of last Commons speeches by Dame Margaret Beckett was about late @UKLabour leader John Smith. Dep. Leader from 1992, acting Leader after his death during landslide victory in 1994 Euro elections, & cabinet minister in Blair government. First elected MP in 1974!

2

16

117

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Great to meet Shadow Chancellor @RachelReevesMP & Shadow Chief Secretary @patmcfaddenmp to share experience of working with late John Smith former Leader & Shadow Chancellor. Very impressed by @UKLabour Treasury team so full of capability & competence. We need them in No 11 ASAP!

2

10

113

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Great to see @AndyBurnhamGM supporting the campaign for #ProportionalRepresentation . Time for @UKLabour to support the democratic principle of fair votes for all.

Make Votes Matter

@MakeVotesMatter

3 years

Recently @AndyBurnhamGM appeared on Ways To Change The World and discussed his support for #ProportionalRepresentation 🙏

9

111

261

2

57

111

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 months

I accompanied Margaret Beckett 30 years ago on this trip to the 50th anniversary, was with her in Bayeux cemetery & remember well the veterans reaction. Given my family links with D Day it was a very moving occasion & my last working for Leader of the Opposition. @lewis_goodall

Lewis Goodall

@lewis_goodall

3 months

Have been thinking all day about this interview I did with Margaret Beckett (nearly 10yrs ago) when she talked about going to the D-Day 50th anniversary as Leader of the Opposition. Have never forgotten it, because the memory quite suddenly and unexpectedly, reduced her to tears.

133

2K

9K

2

21

101

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Great to meet with my old friend @patmcfaddenmp this morning. Nearly 30 years ago he joined me working in the office of late @UKLabour leader John Smith. Today he is serving as a fine Shadow Chief Secretary with @RachelReevesMP & @Keir_Starmer preparing for return to government.

2

10

99

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Powerful commentary post local elections by @Neal_Compass on the progressive case to scrap first past the post and adopt proportional representation.

There is a way to oust the Tories, and stop them ever rising again. Why won’t we do it? | Neal...

Compare the rightwing and progressive local election votes, and see why PR is more vital than ever, says Neal Lawson, director of the cross-party campaign organisation Compass

www.theguardian.com

4

47

84

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

4 years

@paulmasonnews Sadly not something Jeremy Corbyn ever understood resulting in an abject failure of leadership during the 2016 referendum...significantly responsible for all the Brexit disaster that has followed.

26

2

79

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

After 12 years of Tory chaos & 4 Prime Ministers who can plausibly claim that first past the post delivers stable governments with majority support? Time for #LabConference22 to scrap FPTP & support @Labour4PR campaign to reform our unfair broken voting system. #MakeVotesMatter

4

37

80

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

4 months

@AndyBurnhamGM @TracyBrabin @Rob7Burrow Thanks so much for agreeing to be humiliated Andy & Tracey! @Emma_MacLennan & I lost our much loved son Alex to MND nearly 4 years ago. He was a Lab Cllr & dedicated to public service. MND is such a cruel disease & your support is much appreciated. #United2EndMND

3

7

82

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

In his blog Brexit & Beyond @chrisgreybrexit regularly excels. His latest is among his very best & a ‘must read’ for anyone interested in understanding why the false promises of Brexit Britain are increasingly discredited. …

0

33

82

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

In @NewStatesman @AndrewMarr9 highlights the historic opportunity that voting reform now offers @UKLabour . In @LabourList with Abbie Jones & I show why now is the time for @Keir_Starmer to be bold & make PR a manifesto commitment.

7

45

81

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

John Smith - who was elected Leader of @UKLabour on this day 30 years ago - was masterful in using humour against John Major’s government. Here are some examples:

5

21

80

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Recent revealing taxi driver remark to me about Brexit. “Feel sick about it…voted Leave as a protest vote never thinking it would happen. My daughter didn’t speak to me for three weeks. Regret it so much…we were lied too”. ⁦ @williamkeegan ⁩ spot on!

It is hard to admit being wrong. But Brexit voters are doing so in droves

Having been grossly misled in the referendum, Britons’ anger is mounting as the reality of our plight becomes clear

www.theguardian.com

4

34

81

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Pleased to have submitted on behalf of Tenterden Branch this contribution on electoral reform to @UKLabour National Policy Forum consultation. The NPF should support scrapping FPTP post in favour of a proportional voting system as overwhelmingly agreed at 2022 Annual Conference.

3

31

75

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

A strong message from @UKLabour most senior holder of government office @MarkDrakeford in favour of Labour’s 2022 Conference motion in support of proportional representation. And why Labour’s National Policy Forum this year must prioritise electoral reform.

LCER

@Labour4PR

1 year

"To those who continue to fear a change in the electoral system, I say simply: look at what we have done here in Wales. 25 years of winning and working within a proportional system." @PrifWeinidog calls for PR for UK general elections at #WelshLab23 , today in Llandudno 🌹✊

26

205

411

3

34

72

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

So proud to be @UKLabour Tenterden North candidate in May 4th Council elections. Inspired by my much missed son Cllr Alex Ward’s dedication to public service lost to MND in 2020. Tenterden needs new leadership that cares & can get things done. #ToriesHaveTakenTenterdenForGranted !

12

19

78

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Interesting piece by @Dannythefink in the Times. He recognises Tory bias of current FPTP system. His argument predicated on hung Parliament but electoral reform should be part of @UKLabour election winning strategy offering bold package of democratic renewal, votes at 16, & PR.

3

30

74

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Thanks @LabourList for publishing response by @osbornecaro & me to @GordonBrown Commission. Great that @UKLabour leading on constitutional reform. Now we need to put electoral reform at heart of Labour’s plan for renewal & modernisation of our democracy.

2

36

72

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

@andrewrawnsley Yes, ‘good chaps’ approach to democratic governance has been tested to destruction. But reform agenda must include end to first past the post which concentrates power in a few swing seats & reduces accountability to the many living in ‘safe’ seats.

2

8

71

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Inspired choice by John Smith to make her his running mate in 1992 @UKLabour leadership election! She had worked with John in the Treasury team as Shadow Chief Secretary & impressed as tough minded & hard working. Exactly the same qualities today.

1

9

71

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Rather than belittle his legacy, New Labour should finally acknowledge their huge good fortune to have inherited @uklabour leadership after combined efforts of both Neil Kinnock & John Smith. Labour’s victory in 1997 was built on the shoulders of great modernising leaders. 7/7

2

7

67

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

John Smith’s characteristic wit was used to good effect as John Major was forced “to threaten his own party with electoral suicide” after losing @UKLabour vote on the social chapter. Major survived but only by demonstrating the near ungovernable state of the Conservative Party.

13

14

70

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

@spellar Far better to have Farage lead a rump of UKIP MPs who would have been exposed for the charlatans they are, than have the Tory party turned into a UKIP tribute act government under FPTP with all the chaos that has followed since. @Labour4PR @DenisMacShane

1

66

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

@campbellclaret @ThatAlexWoman Your frustration Alastair was understandable. How an ex MEP can so totally misrepresent the UK’s role in EU legislation through Council & the European Parliament as well as House of Commons scrutiny is beyond me. The Brexit lies just keep on coming.

2

6

62

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

4 out of 5 @UKLabour members support proportional representation. On @MakeVotesMatter Summer Day of Action good time to make noise for great @Labour4PR 2021 Conference motion campaign to shift policy unequivocally in favour of PR & electoral reform. …

1

36

65

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Good to see electoral reform recognised as a key issue in powerful @RoryStewartUK article in today’s @FT arguing for systemic change to UK public life. FPTP ‘winner takes all’ politics has been key enabler of Johnson, Brexit, & Tory Governments elected by a minority of voters.

4

22

61

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

11 months

Last year proud to have moved historic @AshfordLabour motion in favour of proportional representation & pleased that @labpolicyforum now agrees that our voting system is flawed. FPTP should be scrapped. Make every vote count no matter where it is cast!

4

25

58

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

At last year’s @UKLabour Conference @AshfordLabour moved historic motion in favour of electoral reform. Our CLP has now made @labpolicyforum submission calling for a manifesto commitment to replace First Past the Post with a proportional system in which all votes count equally.

2

30

58

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Congratulations @Labour4PR team @sandyofipswich @joesousek @ParkerCiccone @SamuelKind1 well deserved winners @TheDemNet Democracy Campaign of the Year Award. 2 years in a row have mobilised largest ever @UKLabour CLP support for PR with historic vote in favour #LabConference22 .

5

20

56

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Card vote blocks electoral reform motion. Disappointing but not a surprise. Affiliated unions must be focus of @Labour4PR campaign. With such overwhelming CLP support trade unions have duty to study the case for PR & especially the evidence of systematic right wing bias of FPTP

9

18

58

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

7 months

Great day campaigning @dover_labour in Deal with their excellent candidate @MikeTappTweets together with @EmilyThornberry . Very good reception on the doorstep in this key general election target seat.

3

11

55

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Superb article by @DEHEdgerton on mythologised understanding of @UKLabour working class support. “Labour needs to understands it’s own history, celebrate its successes & love itself, it’s members & voters” Wise words beyond either New Labour & Corbyn eras.

4

28

58

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

With campaigning for May 4th Local Elections in full swing, many happy memories of my late son Cllr Alex Ward (2nd from right) pounding the doorsteps of Beaver ward for @AshfordLabour . His efforts were rewarded with a fine @UKLabour win taking seat back from UKIP. #United2EndMND

4

6

55

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Great opening speech by @RachelReevesMP @thefabians @FEPS_Europe New Year conference. Inspiring vision of how @UKLabour will improve living standards with plan for growth & investment in a pro worker & pro business clean power green prosperity plan by 2030.

4

18

53

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Smith also called for reform of global economic governance in new Bretton Woods. He warned about derivatives risk to financial stability anticipating 2008 financial crisis. Instead New Labour fell for ‘light touch’ regulation that failed to avoid risk of banking collapse. 5/7

1

4

53

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Great speeches @ParkerCiccone @labourlewis at #SortTheSystem lobby of Parliament today. Congratulations @MakeVotesMatter @klinaj for leading this superb cross party effort to achieve proportional representation. Time for all votes to matter equally wherever they are cast!

1

33

50

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Excellent article @oli_ward_1 on the importance of late John Smith’s radical agenda of constitutional reform set out in his March 1993 Charter 88 lecture. Surely time for @Keir_Starmer to set out similarly bold vision of Britain’s democratic governance? .

3

23

44

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Our democracy is broken & its wrecking our economy. Truss chosen as PM by just 80,000 Tories. Now her & Kwarteng’s fantasy fiscal policies are failing. Moving #Lab22 PR motion I warned about trickledown democracy. Here it is in action. Votes of a few wrecking the economy for all.

5

17

45

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

So proud & privileged to see @FIRE_AID_UK @NFCC_FireChiefs 22 vehicle convoy to Ukraine leave this morning! Wonderful volunteer donation effort by UK Fire Services. Great work by @Happyhoyclaire @Emma_MacLennan @EASSTransport . #FireAid4Ukraine

1

17

49

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

5 months

Great morning campaigning for our @woklabour local election candidates Rory Silkin & Julie Skinner in Staplehurst. Very positive doorstep response from voters fed up with the Tory chaos and division. Time for change in Maidstone Borough Council & Westminster. #VoteLabour2024 !

1

8

44

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Finally goodbye & good riddance to the disastrous Bullingdon Club MPs Cameron, Osborne, & Johnson. Authors of austerity, Brexit, & the chaos of 13 years of Conservative incompetence. Wrecked the country & now gone without paying the bill.

4

11

48

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Looking forward to hearing @AndyBurnhamGM speak on levelling up democracy @Labour4PR on Thursday. Register here:

10

11

45

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Collapse of Tory support in ‘Blue Wall’ rural seats gives new opportunities ⁦ @UKLabour ⁩ provided it reaches out to ‘politically homeless’ rural voters. Ending first past the post is needed to give rural communities the power to #MakeVotesMatter .

Tory support collapse leaving rural voters ‘politically homeless’

Labour is benefiting from drop-off but must ‘up its game’, says countryside organisation

www.theguardian.com

8

15

47

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Just heading home from #LabourConference2022 . A great week for @UKLabour . Proud to have been able to represent @AshfordLabour . My son, tragically lost to motor neurone disease in 2020, was our CLP delegate in 2017. He would be delighted to see Labour ready to govern again soon.

2

5

47

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Electoral Reform on agenda at #Lab21 today. Brilliant campaign by @Labour4PR gives @Keir_Starmer @UKLabour opportunity to scrap unfair FPTP, lead UK democratic renewal & halt slide into Tory elective dictatorship. Any undecided delegates please read:

4

14

47

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Weakly argued case @andrew_harrop @IndyVoices against @UKLabour commitment to PR should embolden advocates for voting reform. Harrop accepts PR is fairer & FPTP risks “another 100 years of Tory rule” but only offers uninspiring & minimalist way forward.

3

21

45

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Next month’s @labpolicyforum must back new @UKLabour consensus that First Past the Post should scrapped. Time to make all votes matter equally wherever they are cast. Read why in new @LabourList article by @aBeeJones1 & myself here:

2

26

45

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Great article in @Chartist48 by stalwart @Labour4PR campaigner Mary Southcott on #LabourConference2022 decision to scrap first past the post. Proud to have played a part in this historic vote for electoral reform.

3

26

45

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Neil Kinnock’s finest moment when he bravely exposed the Militant Tendency & rescued the Labour Party from oblivion. Presented here in the late Hugh Hudson’s brilliant election broadcast.

Tides of History

@labour_history

2 years

RIP Hugh Hudson. Hudson made the iconic 1987 election broadcast Kinnock: The Movie. 🍿

9

65

270

4

12

46

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Pleased to attend my first meeting of Tenterden Town Council this evening. Congratulations to the new Mayor @sueferguson & looking forward to a productive four year term serving the community of this beautiful town in the heart of the Weald of Kent.

4

5

45

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

@BethRigby Probably disastrous for Truss as the hack would have revealed that her main focus as Foreign Secretary was arranging photo opps for her future leadership bid.

2

11

45

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

5 months

@labour_history That the UK minimum wage exists at all is in large part due to the leadership of John Smith & Rodney Bickerstaffe and more than a decade of campaigning at the Low Pay Unit by @Emma_MacLennan & others that led to @UKLabour 1998 Act.

0

8

45

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

@AnnelieseDodds Time for @UKLabour to set out bold agenda of good governance & democratic reform. I argued this here, please read: & what is Gordon Brown’s Commission doing? Why is electoral reform not dealt with in @labpolicyforum ?

How Keir Starmer can save the UK from elective dictatorship

The Labour leader should learn from his predecessors and the triumph of fairness in New Zealand politics to push for proportional representation

www.opendemocracy.net

5

17

40

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Interesting article on @Keir_Starmer strategy by @ProfTimBale . Argues that less may be more. Not surprisingly I enjoyed the comparison with my old boss John Smith

4

6

40

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Why @Keir_Starmer should support PR. Lessons from Labour’s past failure to secure electoral reform & New Zealand’s remarkable success. Recalls discussions with John Smith & Robin Cook. Thanks for publishing @openDemocracy !

1

20

40

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

4 months

A powerful demonstration of late @UKLabour leader John Smith’s command of the House of Commons. Here demolishing John Major’s failing Tory government after the collapse of its economic policy on ‘Black Wednesday’ in September 1992.

Tides of History

@labour_history

4 months

“This is a Government whose economic policy is in tatters, whose credibility is blown, whose incompetence has been exposed”. Today we kick off our reflections of John Smith - to mark the 30th anniversary of his death - with his response to Black Wednesday in Sept 1992

17

119

436

3

8

41

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Great video @Labour4PR of @UKLabour historic vote in favour of proportional representation. Time to make First Past the Post history…

LCER

@Labour4PR

2 years

"Very simply put it just means that everybody's vote counts. It means that Parliament reflects - accurately - the votes of the people." @UKLabour conference voted for: 📃 Proportional Representation in the next manifesto ⏱️ Reform in the 1st term of the next Labour government

12

130

235

1

12

36

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

@michaelwhite Not really…it’s reasonable to expect the Royal Household to avoid such offensive and crass behaviour.

1

0

37

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

4 months

Insightful article @AndrewMarr9 on what @Keir_Starmer can learn from late @UKLabour leader John Smith. Timely reflections on lessons of his leadership. Looking forward to discussing his legacy tomorrow @MileEndInst with @YvetteCooperMP & others.

1

15

38

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Great morning out campaigning with my fellow @AshfordLabour local election candidates. Sunny skies and friendly reception as we challenge ‘local conservatives’ that have taken Tenterden for granted for too long. #VoteLabourMay4th .

2

11

35

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Pleased to be serving as Policy Officer @AshfordLabour . Last similar role for me was Head of Policy for the late @UKLabour Leader John Smith (1992-94). A bit younger then but just as committed now to a radical policy agenda of social justice, environmental, & democratic reform.

4

3

36

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

1 year

Great to meet up with @Labour4PR @ParkerCiccone @joesousek @JohnDoolan1 at #SortTheSystem lobby today. The ace team that lead successful campaign to back proportional representation at last year’s @UKLabour conference.

0

13

36

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 months

Wonderful speech @YvetteCooperMP @MileEndInst about late @UKLabour leader John Smith. Recalled memories of our work together for Treasury team pre-1992. And Smith’s powerful legacy, devolution, minimum wage, freedom of information & lessons his leadership has for Labour today.

0

7

37

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

Not a paper I usually buy but today’s Sunday Express strongly supports campaign for £50m govt funding to find cure for Motor Neurone Disease, that took my son Alex last July. A great cause fighting a cruel disease.

1

12

37

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

3 years

@sheilawatson100 @UKLabour @RachelReevesMP @AnnelieseDodds @HarrietHarman @YvetteCooperMP @Keir_Starmer @LabourWomensNet @LadyBasildon @GordonBrown @campbellclaret Yes, stepped in as Acting Leader of the Opposition after John Smith’s tragic death & also in that role led @UKLabour to landslide victory in 1994 European elections! 1st UK wide win since Oct 74, paving way for victory in GE 1997. Often forgotten that winning happened earlier!

3

4

37

Cllr David Ward 🌹

@DwTenterden

2 years

Some of the Blair Government’s lasting achievements are in large part due to Smith: minimum wage, freedom of information, devolution in Scotland & Wales etc. Cut tragically short Smith’s leadership achieved much more than appears in New Labour’s tiresome ‘year zero’ narrative 6/7

2

3

36