Latest news with #MikeReader
BBC News
25-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Northampton MP criticises council sale of Guildhall extension
An MP has joined criticism of the council for "selling a town's heritage to the highest bidder" as the modern extension of Northampton's historic Guildhall went on the 1992-built office space is being sold by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) - led by Reform UK - while the original Victorian building is retained by the Mark Arnull said it wanted to "better utilise council buildings while also reducing ongoing costs to the public purse".Mike Reader, who represents Northampton South for Labour, said: "Reform UK need to rethink this plan and do what's right for Northampton – protect our town and it's culture." Community leaders have spoken out against the sale since the plan was first announced last year by the then Conservative administration, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The authority said at the time that not maintaining the extension would save £350,000 per Oliver Coss, Rector of All Saints' Church, near the Guildhall, said it was "regrettable this arresting piece of modern architecture is going to fall out of public use". Northampton Town Council is seeking legal advice after it was asked to move out of the original Guildhall as part of the "office optimisation plan".Speaking of the sale, town councillor Les Marriott said the extension was "architecturally impressive", provided a quiet space in the town centre and had hosted many community events. "We are concerned that any sale and subsequent change of use will result in the building and courtyard being lost to the general public indefinitely," he town council welcomed further discussions with WNC to ensure "this much loved civic building continues to serve the public good for future generations", he said the council was looking for proposals which made good use of the sale listing suggests a range of options for the building, including a boutique hotel, events venue, restaurant, residential, or continued office use. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
East Hunsbury Primary named 'Kindest in the UK'
A school crowned the kindest in the UK by a national charity has been invited to Hunsbury Primary in Northampton, which has 450 pupils, has been given the Kind School Award for its efforts in promoting kindness by the charity 52 achievement was raised in the House of Commons by Labour Northampton South MP, Mike response, Leader of House Lucy Powell invited the school's kindness ambassadors to meet her and other MPs to "share a bit more kindness across the house". The school's designated kindness ambassadors are pupils who focus on supporting the wellbeing of their are also regular wellbeing sessions at the primary told the Commons about the award and asked Powell and other MPs to join him in "commending the school, Kelly Roberts the mental health lead, but particularly all the students who put themselves forward to be kindness ambassadors".He added that MPs in the Commons "online and in the press could be a bit more like East Hunsbury Primary and always act with kindness".Powell congratulated the school and then extended her invitation to the school to come to Westminster. Ms Roberts told BBC Radio Northampton's Annabel Amos it was "exciting" to be invited to parliament and the school would take up the offer."Give me a date, we'll get them on the minibus and we'll come down and we'll show the MPs how to be a little bit more kind to each other, I think the world needs it," she said."We're so proud of all of young people but it's very much a team effort."It's our entire school community, our parents, our local community, the staff [and] the children, everybody makes it such a wonderful place."On its website, the school said the judges had revealed that reading their award submission was "a genuine joy"."You could sense a school where kindness isn't an act but a rhythm, pulsing through every relationship," the judge said. "Children, staff, families, and the local community - all bound by a quiet, powerful commitment to care. East Hunsbury isn't just teaching kindness. They're living it." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
New Northants MPs reflect on 'amazing' and 'challenging' year
Just over a year ago Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government swept to power, winning a huge parliamentary well as the political map of the country changing, Northamptonshire underwent a significant shift, with six of the seven constituencies getting brand new them were Sarah Bool in South Northamptonshire, who held the seat for the Conservatives, and Mike Reader, Labour MP for Northampton South, who won his seat from the has the past 12 months been like for them and what is life like in the role? 'The British public are really watching' Bool has previously stood in Vauxhall in the 2019 election before succeeding Dame Andrea Leadsom in South back on the last 12 months, she says: "The very first time I actually sat in the chamber was a real pinch me moment."You touch the green leather and think of everything and everyone who has spoken there. "For me, that was quite a magical moment, after years and years of being interested and wanting to get into politics, to finally be there was absolutely incredible."Bool is the Private Parliamentary Secretary (PPS) for the shadow Home Office and shadow Attorney General, as well as being on a select committee and the vice chair of another parliamentary says being in opposition brings plenty of challenges, including time management, and there is "all the national legislation and all the constituency things that are the most important" to consider. However, she says she gets interesting experiences as part of her job, such as when she did "a loop-the-loop in an aeroplane" as part of an armed forces parliamentary scheme. Bool got to ask her first Prime Minister's Question (PMQ) last month about the need for early the experience, she says: "[It was] Nerve-wracking, it's the one moment where you know the British public are really watching and the chamber is full."Bool says it was "quite intimidating, but what was lovely is you can get the support from your colleagues, so you hear the 'here, here's' as you're standing there". 'The other side of parliament' Reader joined the Labour Party in 2015 and was selected for the party's future candidate programme in 2022, before being elected to on his first day in Westminster, he says: "Going into parliament that day was the first time I'd ever been into the chamber, so it was a real experience that will live with me forever."He says he works six days a week and thinks it's more than just a job, adding: "It's more of a calling because you are always on call, people scrutinise everything you do, and the rewards are amazing, but also the stress and the experiences are quite challenging sometimes." Reader's office is in Richmond House, and the building previously housed the Department for Health. He shares the space with another MP. In his half of the room, he's got a desk area for his staff, and plenty of trinkets that he has collected over the past 12 months from his travels."The commando comic I got when I visited the commandos in Plymouth," he explains, going through his shelf. "Some little logistics trucks because one in five people in Northampton South work in the logistics sector, and then little trinkets I've collected when I've been to different events and other things, including my boarding passes from when I went to the Falklands."In the corner of the room is a pop-up banner from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Wrestling, which Reader the summer recess, his office offers two tours every Tuesday and Wednesday for community groups in Northampton."I thought it was a nice way to use this privilege of having full access to a UNESCO World Heritage site, a beautiful building, to demystify it for people and show them the other side of parliament that they would maybe never see." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Northamptonshire council says it backs Pride despite flag stance
A council that will no longer fly an LGBTQ+ rainbow flag from any of its buildings has insisted it remained "committed to supporting community-led events and activities" including newly-elected Reform UK administration on West Northamptonshire Council made changes to its flag protocol after coming to power last protocol dictates that only the union jack, St George's flag and council flag will be flown outside its Arnull, council leader, said the new protocol "prioritises the flying of flags on council buildings that foremostly reflect our local and national identity as a place that represents everyone living in West Northamptonshire". It comes after Mike Reader, the Labour MP for Northampton South, had shared an open letter to Arnull and the Reform UK administration at the council calling for "clarity and reassurance" for LGBTQ+ people following the policy the new flag protocol, the council said additional flags would be flown on specified dates for royal or national include plans for an Armed Forces Day flag for a week from 23 June, but no flag would be flown to reflect this month's international Pride month, as has been the case in previous years. The Reform-controlled local authority said it "continued to give its backing to a busy and varied local community events calendar for the year ahead".It said it would provide resource and support to community organisers for events including Pride, Windrush, Diwali and said: "We acknowledge the role that local community forums play in promoting an inclusive environment for everyone who lives and works in West Northants and continue to support this work." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
MP critical of Northamptonshire Reform councillor's posts about King
The Labour MP for Northampton South has criticised a newly elected Reform UK councillor who he said "repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country" on a social media Dabbs, who won his council seat as his party took control of West Northamptonshire Council at this month's local elections, made comments on the King and monarchy in his feed which also has several reposts from Britain Reader MP said someone who "calls His Majesty a 'bullsh*t king' should not have the privilege of representing our community".Dabbs confirmed the account was his, but neither he nor his party has commented further. Reader said: "Mr Dabbs has repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country. "The residents of Northamptonshire deserve better."According to his account Mr Dabbs, who represents the Deanshanger and Paulsbury ward, joined X in December 2024 and he last commented on it in First campaigns on an anti-immigration message and has called for a halt to all further immigration except in specific group has developed a strong online following, attracting attention when one of its anti-Islamic videos was retweeted by US President Donald Simon Weaver, reader in media and communications at Brunel University in west London, said: "Britain First are a British far-right, neo-fascist party that was formed in 2011 by a former British National Party (BNP) member. "They propagate an anti-Muslin, Islamophobic ideology and make wide use of online communication."The BBC has approached Ivan Dabbs and Reform UK but neither wanted to year, party leader Nigel Farage told the BBC it would be vetting Reform UK hopefuls standing in May's local elections after controversial comments were made by a candidate for Bexhill and Battle during the 2024 general month Ron Firman, a Reform UK candidate for West Northamptonshire Council, was reminded of the code of conduct for the parish council he was on after offensive sexist and racist tweets on his old social media account was elected to the Hunsbury council's constitution includes a members' code of conduct which states it is intended to promote high standards of behaviour among councillors including an obligation to "treat others with respect". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
