Category Archives: Andrew Fisher

‘In office but not in power’: tune in for the Croydon Insider

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A Budget that subsidises profiteers and bungs £1bn to wealthy

ANDREW FISHER looks at what Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Statement means for the long-suffering people of Croydon. Plus: how to call-out a Tory MP’s lies, live on BBC television There is an old saying in the House of Commons. It’s … Continue reading

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Inside track on Council Tax – listen to our latest podcast here

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Charity, Community associations, Council Tax, Croydon FM, Croydon Insider, Inside Croydon, Ken Towl, Schools, Under The Flyover | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

37-34: Mayor’s 15% Council Tax hike rejected in budget vote

ANDREW FISHER sat through the three-and-a-half hours of last night’s budget non-setting meeting, so that you didn’t have to Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat councillors voted together last night to reject the budget proposal from the borough’s Conservative Mayor, Jason … Continue reading

Posted in Adele Benson, Andrew Fisher, Andrew Stranack, Community associations, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Jane West, Jason Cummings, Mayor Jason Perry, New Addington, New Addington North, Rowenna Davis, Tamar Nwafor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

The solution to Perry’s finance problem: Fund Croydon Fairly

When a neighbouring London borough, with a smaller population and less deprivation than Croydon, gets £60m more central government funding than Croydon, something is very wrong. ANDREW FISHER on what the borough’s Mayor should really be doing instead of heaping … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Mayor Jason Perry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Tory ministers must act on public safety over firefighters’ pay

Now the Fire Brigades Union are planning their first national strike action in 20 years, it puts Croydon Tory MP Chris Philp at the centre of the dispute. By ANDREW FISHER The worst cost-of-living crisis in decades is bringing an … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Boris Johnson, Chris Philp MP, Croydon Central, Croydon South, Fiona Twycross, London Fire Brigade, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Sarah Jones MP | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Out now! Croydon Insider podcast – exclusive for subscribers

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Croydon is in a right Pickles and it is easy to work out why

Thurrock, Warrington, Nottingham, Slough, Liverpool, Sandwell… Croydon is far from alone among basket-case boroughs. ANDREW FISHER traces the common cause back to Whitehall Pay more, get less. That seems to have been the message from many councils across the country … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Croydon Council, Jason Cummings, Mayor Jason Perry, Report in the Public Interest, Tim Pollard, Tony McArdle, Tony Newman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work is not too much to ask

More than 1m work days were lost to industrial action in December 2022, and February 2023 looks like it could be worse, and every one of the strikers has a strong case for better pay, says ANDREW FISHER (right) in … Continue reading

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No room at the inn? Home Office policies created migrant crisis

As we approach Christmas, ANDREW FISHER suggests that it’s worth recalling something of its true meaning Shortly after the birth of Jesus, an angel appeared to Joseph and urged him to seek refuge: “Get up! Take the Child and His … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Business, Charity, Chris Philp MP, Community associations, Croydon South, Housing, London-wide issues, Mayor Jason Perry, Mike Bonello, Purley Way | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Croydon surgeries where half GP consultations are by phone

Don’t get old. Don’t get ill. That was the warning about life under a Conservative government 40 years ago, and it holds true today, as ANDREW FISHER, pictured left, discovered when checking out waiting times just to get an appointment … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Croydon CCG, Croydon NHS Trust, Health, London Ambulance Service | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Tory blame game over bankruptcy points finger at Westminster

There was something archly cynical, and deliberately misleading, about how Croydon’s Conservatives turned Tuesday’s announcement of the borough’s bankruptcy into an exercise in political point-scoring. None of which will help the borough’s residents, writes ANDREW FISHER Croydon’s Conservative councillors were … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Chris Philp MP, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Croydon South, Jason Cummings, Mayor Jason Perry, Section 114 notice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Higher energy bills, higher tax bills and worse public services

After the financial shockwaves caused by the omnishambles of the Tory Mini Budget, yesterday’s announcements by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt offer little hope of prosperity for the people of Croydon, writes ANDREW FISHER Buckle up. It’s going to be rough. Living … Continue reading

Posted in "Hammersfield", Andrew Fisher, Business, Chris Philp MP, Croydon Central, Croydon South, Sarah Jones MP, Whitgift Centre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The £30m in the balance for Croydon in Chancellor’s Budget

The poorest and most vulnerable in the borough are not the only ones who need their benefits uprated by Jeremy Hunt – businesses and the local economy are depending on it, too, writes ANDREW FISHER The Conservative Party’s claims to … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Business, Council Tax, Croydon CAB, Croydon Council, Mayor Jason Perry, Pubs, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Downfall of Truss leaves Tory Philp facing uncertain future

With the parliamentary Conservative Party in meltdown after a month of chaos under Liz Truss, ANDREW FISHER looks at what’s next for MP Chris Philp and his potentially ‘marginal’ seat of Croydon South The Conservative Party is disintegrating before our … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Chris Philp MP, Croydon South, Mario Creatura | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

#TheLabourFiles: It’s long past time to clean-up the Party

Former Labour staffer ANDREW FISHER reflects on what Al Jazeera’s series The Labour Files revealed about his former employers and the party of which he has been a member for 26 years “Poly-ticks”, according to Rowan Atkinson’s Edmund Blackadder, is … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Clive Fraser, Crime, Croydon Central, Croydon North, David Evans, David White, Sarah Jones MP, Steve Reed MP | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

‘Rabbit hutch’ flats and the Chief Secretary: Philp’s conflicts

Ahead of tomorrow’s ‘mini-Budget’, ANDREW FISHER delves into the murky pool of business interests retained by the millionaire Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Croydon South MP Chris Philp Removing the cap on rich bankers’ bonuses, cutting Stamp Duty, slashing Corporation … Continue reading

Posted in Addiscombe West, Andrew Fisher, Business, Chris Philp MP, Croydon South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

New PM gives Philp opportunity to do right thing for Croydon

ANDREW FISHER takes a look at what Liz Truss’s Premiership could mean for Croydon, its MPs and constituencies, its council and its people So, we now have our fourth Prime Minister in just six years, as Liz Truss begins the … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Business, Chris Philp MP, Croydon Central, Croydon Council, Croydon North, Croydon South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Racism, bullying and factionalism: Labour needs to do better

Former Corbyn adviser ANDREW FISHER, pictured left, gives his assessment of the Forde Report, and how it reflects what has been happening in the party in Croydon The Forde Report – the investigation into the culture of the Labour Party … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Andrew Pelling, Croydon Central, David White, Gavin Barwell, Jamie Audsley, Robert Canning, Stuart King, Waddon | 8 Comments

England’s Tories remain enthusiastic only about ground rent

As ANDREW FISHER explains, the cost of living crisis begins with too many people being unable to afford somewhere decent to live, as private rents increase by 15.8% this year “Been spending most our lives living in a landlords’ paradise”. … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Boris Johnson, Business, Croydon Council, Housing, Landlord licensing, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tories’ Not-So-Famous Five offer little real hope for nation

ANDREW FISHER on the search for a new Prime Minister, and what it could all mean for Croydon The ancient Roman poet Juvenal observed that people needed “bread and circuses”. In Britain today, more people than ever are queuing for … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Chris Philp MP, Croydon Central, Croydon South, Gavin Barwell | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

‘No one wants strikes. But I’m happy to stand on the picket line’

‘Travel misery’ won’t be over in south London any time soon. After a week of disruption on rail and the Tube, with airline strikes still to come, ANDREW FISHER, pictured left, appraises next week’s industrial action on Croydon’s Trams After … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, East Croydon, TfL, Tramlink, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

After decades of wage stagnation, workers have one option

Croydon’s bin lorry crews are about to start three weeks of industrial action, as train, Tube and now tram drivers are also going on strike. It is often the only course of action that workers can take, writes ANDREW FISHER … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Business, Croydon Council, Refuse collection, TfL, Tramlink, Transport, Veolia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Five years ago, Labour showed how strong policies can inspire

There is much still to learn from the  2017 election manifesto, For The Many Not The Few, says its lead author, ANDREW FISHER Five years ago this week, we were in the middle of the 2017 General Election campaign – … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, History | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Voters’ stark choice: scandal-hit Labour or scandal-hit Tories

In his latest column for Inside Croydon, ANDREW FISHER, looks ahead to the most intriguing contest in London’s local elections this year Labour mayoral candidate Val Shawcross has made no attempt to hide her frustration, at times bordering on contempt, … Continue reading

Posted in 2022 council elections, 2022 Croydon Mayor election, Andrew Fisher, Andrew Pelling, Jason Perry, Val Shawcross | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments