The Croydon Citizen » Michael Swadling

Understanding the other: the Coulsdon and Purley Debating Society

Michael Swadling — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 11:00:53 +0000

Croydon is full of opposing ideas, and we often hear that we are more politically polarised than ever before. I’m not sure that that’s true – however, with 100+-channel TV, the internet, and social media, it is fair to say that we are more polarised in the views that we listen to and the groups that we speak to.

Google searches, Facebook and Twitter timelines feed you ... Read More »

Taxing conversations in Croydon

Michael Swadling — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 11:00:28 +0000

On Saturday 18th August the TaxPayers’ Alliance will hold an Action Day in Croydon to promote its campaign for lower taxes and against government waste. This follows a public meeting in Purley, promoting the same campaign.

Focus on value for money in public finances is something we desperately need in Croydon. Council tax has gone up over 5% this year and 4.9% the previous year. At a time when ... Read More »

The price of taking pride

Michael Swadling — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 11:00:53 +0000

On Saturday 14th July Croydon PrideFest took place with a march to, and a main stage in, Wandle Park. This was the third annual Croydon Pride and a great day out. I’ve attended all three and each year it has grown bigger. It was held a week after London Pride, and it was impressive to see so many people out. I won’t pretend to be an art or festival ... Read More »

Being priced out of the Croydon job market

Michael Swadling — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:00:58 +0000

Many of us are used to buying and selling goods on eBbay and similar sites. You will have bid, suggested or offered a price, you will have agreed the price. As the buyer, would you have wanted the council to come in and tell you that price is wrong and you have to pay more? As the seller would you want the council to have increased the price ... Read More »

Two years on and Brexit is still going strong

Michael Swadling — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 16:00:33 +0000

On 24th May Croydon’s Leave campaign team held a public meeting in Clyde Hall, Croydon, to discuss Britain’s opportunities outside the EU. The meeting had guest speakers Chris Philp, MP for Croydon South, and London Assembly member, David Kurten. Each spoke followed by a Q&A, with much follow-up discussion afterwards.

Chris supported the Remain campaign in the referendum, but as a democrat was happy to speak about ... Read More »

Potholes and pointless art

Michael Swadling — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 11:00:40 +0000

On Thursday 3rd May, we have local elections in Croydon. No matter what the outcome of these elections, due in part to ward changes, the council will look quite different. So what has four years of the current Labour administration brought us?

Central Croydon has become an in-vogue place. Boxpark, Croydon Pride and Croydon Cycle Fest are among the things that have attracted publicity to the town. ... Read More »

Can Surrey Street survive the help of the council?

Michael Swadling — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:00:09 +0000

Ronald Reagan famously said that “the nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help’”. Maybe you can, but I don’t recall a situation when I’ve thought “if only the council could get involved, things would be so much better”. I also can’t think of a government service that has impressed me more than a service that I’ve received ... Read More »

Liberalising Croydon’s night-time economy

Michael Swadling — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 12:00:28 +0000

Croydon Council has written – but not yet published – a Review of Licensing & Policing of Croydon’s Night-Time Economy. The review was written by a cross-party committee, chaired by Councillor Callton Young OBE.

The report covers the approach to policing venues wishing to play “bashment, grime and similar genres of music” with particular notice of events at the Dice Bar & Club. It highlights significant problems ... Read More »

As elections loom, what kind of Croydon do you want?

Michael Swadling — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 08:00:26 +0000

After the snap election this year, you could be forgiven for being pretty fed up with politics and elections. In 2018, for the fourth straight year, Croydon will be returning to the polls – this time, for the local elections.

Whilst we’ve probably all had enough of voting for a while, these local elections really do matter. Croydon is in the middle of great change and who ... Read More »

The campaign for Brexit: one year on

Michael Swadling — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 11:00:50 +0000

A year ago the referendum was held on our membership of the EU. In addition to the national campaigns, we had locally run campaigns here in Croydon. I ran the Vote Leave campaign for the borough and – having just been through another vote – it’s a good time to look back at that campaign. This isn’t about the politics of EU membership; but the process of how ... Read More »