Victory over DWP after three years...I had a seat news this morning.
Back in 2002 a client of mine was involved in a mini bus crash leaviing
him virtually the only survivor. He had undiagnosed Post Traumatic
Stress and was and still is In crippling pain. He contacted me back in
2017 to help with his appeal and both myself and his friend Will
represented him at the appeal as the DWP had rejected his claim.
Unfortunately the tribunal decides that PTSD was not similar to agoraphobia
and refused the appeal. His friend Will persevered with the case and
took it to a higher court that overturned the decision. The claim began
again but unfortunately was rejected by the DWP and at an further lower
court rejected. Once more Will and my client appealed to a higher one
and won.. Last week a lower court upheld the appeal and the DWP had to
pay out three years back benefit and granted my client the benefits for
life. Many people would have given up in that length of time and the
lesson is to be persistent.
I remember this case rearly well as on the way to it the bus i was on
crashed into a car near Pontardawe . I was shaken by it and probably had
a some yes I.a from it. However I attended the initial appeal in this
condition. The irony was that it took till December of last year 2019
to settle my claim. Persistence is the key and though my injuries were
infinitely less than my clients we both won. There is an odd
synchronicity and an echo in these stories. As we face the horrors of
this Tory government there will be many cases like that of my clients ..
many will give up but the lesson is keep fighting...
Ivan Monckton for the Welsh Labour Executive I am pleased to Support Ivan Monckton
as the Left candidate for Mid and West Wales on the Welsh Labour
Executive . I have known Ivan for a couple of years now he is
delightfully blunt, yet politically astute and has a kind, heart of
gold. His political analysis is spot on and he dies not tolerate any
bull shit. Ivan is a member of my own Union Unite. It's essential that
Welsh Labour continues it's radical democratic reforms and that we widen
the party to reflect the diversity we truly need. I suspect that the
right of the party wish to slow down the process using the cover of the
leadership campaign as a smoke sscrern. Vote for Ivan Monckton .
MID AND WEST WALES LABOUR PARTY COLLEAGUES
As many of you will be aware, I am a candidate in the elections for
Welsh Labour’s Executive Committee (WEC), standing for one of the two
seats for Mid and West Wales. Having been a Labour Party member
continuously for nearly 40 years, I have held various positions at
Branch and Constituency level, and am currently chairman of Brecon and
Radnorshire CLP.
I moved to Wales at the age of 21 in 1974 to
work as a Forestry Commission woodsman, having previously worked in a
children’s residential home in Stafford, and then on a Shropshire farm.
For the last 30 odd years, I have worked as a countryside contractor,
maintaining and opening up footpaths and bridleways, and latterly, back
in the woods during winter months coppicing hazel.
I have been a
trade union member since my first working week, first with NALGO, but
then transferring to TGWU when I moved to Wales. I became a shop steward
and Branch Secretary in the early days and have been active at all
levels ever since, serving for 34 years as the Agricultural Delegate on
the Executive Council of TGWU/ Unite, and presently sitting on the Welsh
Regional Committee and chairing the Regional Political Committee.
However, as a lifelong Socialist, activism has always been about more
than just sitting on committees. I believe in supporting workers and
communities in struggle, whether in Wales, the U.K. as a whole, or
internationally in Colombia, Palestine etc. Whether it’s a bullying
boss, a Cabinet Minister or a Foreign Ambassador, I have confronted them
all about injustices.
To be completely straight with you, I am
of the Left and currently chair of Welsh Labour Grassroots. I campaigned
to get Jeremy Corbyn elected leader, speaking alongside him at huge
rallies in Cardiff and Merthyr. I also campaigned to win the debate on
OMOV (One Member One Vote) elections for Welsh Labour leadership, and
then again to get Mark Drakeford elected.
So, why do I want to be
part of WEC? I believe that the Welsh Labour establishment is too ready
to take a middle-of-the-road-approach to it’s affairs, often against
the better interests of us members, and sometimes of the leadership
itself! We need a more radical approach, and for that we need radical
WEC members. How is it possible that the Welsh Democracy Review is going
to be allowed to stumble on for another age before conclusions are put
to a future conference?
I am plain speaking and occasionally
blunt, nevertheless, I am always keen to work as part of a team and
attempt to see others’ point of view. I am a capable public speaker,
have been dealing with TV and radio interviews for many years and
believe, absolutely, in reporting back to anyone I am in a position to
represent. I am always happy to be contacted by phone, mail or email,
and will accept as many requests to report back in person as is
physically possible.
Last Years General Election result was
devastating for Wales and the whole of the U.K. we are going to need a
Welsh Labour Party that fights as never before to look after those who
are going to suffer under a Conservative Government in Westminster. We
also have the Welsh Assembly elections coming up next year, and we need
to start working on a strong Socialist manifesto that will show the
Nation we believe in equality, fairness and a decent life for all,
wether you are a Managing Director, a farmworker or one of the homeless,
and whatever your gender, sexuality, ethnicity or age.
If you
want someone, as your representative, in a smart suit, tie and cuff
links, telling you how difficult everything is, pass me by. If you want
someone who will be YOUR voice, please vote for me.
I also urge you all to vote additionally for my colleague CHRISTINE HARDACRE, another thoroughly committed Socialist.
