(she/her) That councillor in Northumberland who was expelled from the Labour Party. Also a social worker, mother of guinea pigs and I like being outside
I can only take case work that comes from residents in Bywell Ward, through the correct channels.
These are
📞07890 046 700
📧 holly.waddell
@northumberland
.gov.uk
I don’t use social media for casework.
The Labour Party has welcomed another Tory MP into their ranks today.
2 years ago they expelled me for liking a photo on Facebook.
The moral compass in the party is a disgrace. How do members and voters continue to tolerate this?
Today marks six months since I was expelled from the Labour Party. Under their rules I have the right to appeal this decision, which I believe was wrong. I have requested an appeal multiple times. I am yet to receive acknowledgment of this request.
The local Labour Party are attempting to silence me.
I was offered a deal to not be challenged at the next election if I stop speaking the truth about their parliamentary candidate.
They laugh in the face of democracy.
@UKLabour
isn’t this against your rules?
17 months ago I submitted an appeal against my wrongful expulsion from
@UKLabour
, through the processes set out in their rule book. Today I was told that my appeal will not be heard.
I am relieved this horrible chapter is now closed. The party no longer represents my values.
I have been told by members that my tweets about The Labour Party are too negative.
If you think that, you’re not paying attention.
The party’s bullying meant I became mentally unwell and had to take a period of leave from work but members want me to stay silent.
I received this email last night from the chair of the local Labour party branch.
The language is threatening. He’s offering a deal he cannot keep. It breaks his own party rules and undermines democracy.
I will continue to hold people to account and do my job.
Last night Wes Streeting MP was speaking at Blaydon CLP.
I joined the SHA to quietly lobby him to stop the privatisation of the NHS. The event was poorly attended. The few people who did attend, agreed with our message of returning the NHS to public hands.
Within Hexham CLP there have been 4 expulsions already.
I have heard of 9 others who have received notice of investigation letters. This is most of the executive officers, the people who have done the work for years.
This has been a awful period in my life. I have been unable to sleep and I have had to take time off from my Social Work course due to the stress and impact on my mental health this expereince has had. I think I am fairly resilient, but nothing prepared me for the smears.
Quite a lot of same comments:
1. Why I was expelled is in my pinned tweet
2. Rejoining or leaving is a choice. I’ve had no choice in this matter and been treated unfairly in accordance to the rules. I want to clear my name and have choice
3. Solidarity is appreciated, thank you
This is an interesting read. Lobbying and consultancy work for MPs has been against the rules since 2023, yet it continues.
Our local candidate is named in this article. His quote is alarming.
@lukeakehurst
I am also mentioned in this factually inaccurate article. You will be aware of the facts from your position on the NEC.
You will also be aware of how many times I have emailed you chasing my appeal. I have not once received a response from you and I am no further forward.
Disgusted to see Northumberland portfolio holder for Healthy Lives talking about people in this way. He is not fit for the position.
He admits there is deprivation but refuses to see the effects of Poverty? Malnutrition exists, parents are skipping meals.
Joined the
@RMTunion
picket at Central Station early this morning. Great to see so many people showing solidarity. The strike was supported by so many groups from around the region and there is a clear sense of a movement led by working people, for us all.
Northumberland Council in Private Eye
It’s a disgraceful way to run council meetings. We cannot give reports the scrutiny and debate that we are elected to give.
@AyoCaesar
Honestly shocked the party took any action. They have allowed someone confirmed as an islamophobe to stand on a labour ticket in Newcastle but I must sit as an independent in Northumberland because I liked a photo of a friend holding a socialist appeal newspaper.
I have joined
@pplsassembly
It is great to see this movement growing.
I am angry with this government. I have experienced first hand the impact of austerity. I am ready to have a political home here ✊
Popped down to the RMT picket in Hexham today to show solidarity with striking workers.
Had really interesting conversations with the workers who told me how conditions are being made so difficult safety of passengers is at risk.
@laurenhowellss
I’ve left both. I think it’s a fair analogy.
I needed counselling after I was expelled. I didn’t sleep. I became physically and mentally unwell. I was left in limbo awaiting an appeal.
Labour Party members continue to attack, lie about and bully me to this day.
Yesterday I attended the budget setting meeting of Northumberland County Council.
I am worried about growing inequalities, hidden poverty and a wealth gap in our area. Therefore I could not support this budget and made sure I stood up for ordinary people who will be left behind
The strike is not just about pay and pensions of the workers, but for our safety on our services. A win for rail workers will be a win for us all.
If you are inconvenienced by industrial action, be angry at the bad bosses. They are where the blame lies, never the workers.
@LisaMMcGee
Dana Scully, The X Files. Strong female lead in a man’s world. She used logic and science to argue her case. She showed emotion and compassion. Complex character who we got to see develop over a long run of episodes and films
Hexham CLP is out of touch. People are struggling to pay their bills. We are in a cost of living crisis.
People cannot afford donations of £222.
The CLP are so focused on money they’ve forgotten policy.
Wow, who knew a photo with a 73 year old allotment enthusiast would cause such a stir!
Hello to all the new people following me, I will do some follow backs soon 👋 🥰
The Labour Party is its membership and tonight I’m proud of
@LabourHexhamCLP
membership for standing up for democracy and against bullies. Well done comrades ✊🚩
No space for free speech in Hexham Constituency Labour Party.
This week I have posted 2 comments on posts which were about national Labour Party policy. I was critical, but sharing my own personal experience and opinion.
What an astonishing campaign. I’m in awe of everyone who gave their time, energy, resources and votes.
When recent GE polling in the North East shows Labour with 60+% of the vote, most commentators thought Labour would walk this. The fact that we got 126,652 votes here, nearly
It is sad we have reached a point where the Labour Party is longer a place people feel welcome or able to stay.
I have known and worked with many of these members for several years. They are good, honest people.
Solidarity
Saturday 15th June, Bebington, Birkenhead Action Day with
@JamieDriscollNE
, former Metro Mayor for North of Tyne Combined Authority
We will be delivering messages for Real Hope, Real Change and to talk to voters. It would be great to have you with us.
Please sign up here to
Free school meals were a lifeline for me and my family growing up.
Eligibility criteria is a pointless barrier excluding many in need.
Rolling FSM out universally would remove the stigma and no child would be left hungry.
It’s basic, and common sense.
🚨 BREAKING: Labour has ruled out introducing free school meals for all children.
Labour's party conference passed a motion in 2022 committing the party to introduce free school meals, but the leadership has now firmly ruled it out, saying: "We have no plans to implement it."
These people were not kind but we met them with calm. They are people who have been failed by the government and believe the narrative that immigrants are to blame, not political choice. We will continue to challenge this.
“You’ve got to be in it to change it” is a delusional argument.
You have to bite your tongue and watch your back not to be expelled. They don’t run fair selections. They ignore conference mandated policy.
How are you going to change it?
Political Day today (all my days are political tbf)
Attended the
@pplsassembly
cost of living crisis protest this morning. Afterwards I went to see Red Ellen at Northern Stage which was brilliant. The fight for socialism is not a new one, but one I’m proud to continue
Yesterday evening, I spoke at a fundraising event in Alston for refugees.
It was a privilege to discuss my experiences in Calais. This has only given me a small insight into the lives of refugees and it was wonderful to hear others thoughts and experiences too.
I would like to make a subject access request under GDPR. I have a right to make this on social media. Please direct message me the information. Under the law, you have 1 month to comply.
@UKLabour
The remaining candidates on the Labour long list should be appalled by the lack of fair democratic processes.
They all have the power to stop the process, if they consider it unfair.
High calibre candidates would be happy to debate and defend their manifestos.
OK everyone, gather round, here's a lovely little story for you all.
Chris Ward - Keir Starmer's former chief of staff - was a longtime close friend.
He stayed at my parent's flat in Edinburgh. We got drunk together, made repetitive Alan Partridge-based gags.
We argued about
When I was awaiting appeal I emailed the NEC frequently for an update.
@lukeakehurst
never responded, while some others did.
His constituents will expect a response I’m sure.
After the first post I received a message from their social media officer, asking me to stop having a go at them. Today, after the second comment they have blocked me.
I was elected in 2021 as a Labour councillor with Hexham CLP. So much has changed since then.
I was not impolite. I asked a question about graphics containing a slogan about getting Britain’s future back with a Union Jack. Clear nationalist imagery.
I got blocked.
There is no space for debate in Starmers Labour Party.
A robust argument should stand up to scrutiny.
🚨 BREAKING: Labour has pledged to set up a new fast-track unit to swiftly deport asylum seekers within weeks.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Labour will set up a new returns-and-enforcement unit to speed up the system and make sure rules are respected."
I’m visiting towns right across the region to meet people and find out what they need in their areas. On Saturday, I’m in Shildon, and on Sunday, I’m in Wylam. Come along and say hi, if you’re in the area.
Come on Vicky, you are better than this.
This is deliberately misleading and you know it. That is the van of a supporter, who of his own accord chose to put that on his own van which you well know.
Today was the budget meeting.
I voted AGAINST all areas of the budget proposal.
❌ A rise in council tax
❌ £3m cut to adult social care
❌ Another increase to council rents
❌ A £50million ‘loan’ to advance Northumberland
In Durham for the Miners Gala. An energising reminder of how many of us they are and the proud history of the working class. We are a strong movement. ✊
Just had a man tell me how hard my dad works and that I won’t yet know about hard work. This was while I was at work!
I currently work 35 hours a week (unpaid) on a social work placement. I also work part time at a golf club and I am a county councillor.
I’d say I work hard!
We can’t be surprised at this. The Labour Party only shows contempt for it’s members.
They block socialists from standing.
They ignore conference mandates.
They expelled members, denying natural justice.
Members don’t matter in this Labour Party. Donors do.
@lumberjilly
@greg_herriett
No, they have a majority of 1 anyway. Labour went from 21 to 20 councillors.
But the council is on a knife edge. If greens and non-aligned didn’t prop them up, the tories could lose crucial votes.
@Mab_Taliesin
@UKLabour
Tell me what you know about me to have come to this conclusion? I don’t know you but you seem to think you know me. I can assure you, you are wrong.
My former CLP are accusing me of anonymously running
@MomentumHexham
. I run no anonymous pages. Every page I have access to is listed on my council declaration.
I am also not a member of momentum.
This is not the first rumour the CLP have started about me.
Last night I went to see Self Esteem at the Sage.
I couldn’t convince anyone to go with me so I went alone. I still enjoyed it and it meant I didn’t miss out on what was a great night. If you want to do something, do it, don’t wait for other people to be happy.
Great visit to Wylam First School yesterday afternoon. I met with head teacher the PTA to discuss their plans for new play equipment in the yard.
I have spent many happy hours playing here so I am very happy to contribute towards the new play equipment from my MLIS.
Last year, West Northumberland Food Bank Provided food and essentials to 570 households, over 1250 people. This is only one of the food banks in the County.
This is a complete denial of reality from Councillor Jeff Watson.
The silence is deafening.
Speak up. Don’t be surprised when you are next and there’s no one left to speak up for you.
Self-preservation will only get you so far.
If I was any kind of
@UKLabour
representative in the North East, I would be doing what I could to get the decision on
@MayorJD
reversed. Because it reflects so badly on the party as a whole & will undoubtedly lead to people up here withholding their votes. Sad state of affairs.
Delighted to have been nominated by
@NTynesideLab
group. I’m proud to work alongside fab
@UKLabour
Councillors in North Tyneside, it means a lot to have their support and the support of the incredible
@Norma4Mayor
.
Together we can make the North East the home of real opportunity
Thank you so much to every single person who came along to the Support & Sustainability Fair in Wylam today. Big thank you to everyone who had a stall also. It felt like we had some great conversations.
Doing things like this in our community really is the best part of my job.
Newcastle is just brilliant. It’s 7°C which means it’s spring ☀️ just seen a bloke in his shorts and Hawaiian shirt walking along the quayside. His partner had her big coat on