That same-sex marriage became a reality is largely down to Lynne Featherstone. As Equalities Minister in the coalition government, Featherstone worked tirelessly with activists, lawyers, campaigners and civil servants to achieve a change in the law that would be of epochal importance to the gay community.
Hinckley Councillor Michael Mullaney abseiled off the side of St Mary's Church Tower in Hinckley recently in order to raise money for a local Homeless Group. Hinckley Homeless Group needs to raise £15,000 to keep Lawrence House a shelter for homeless young people between 16 and 25 open. This follows Leicestershire County Council cutting back on the funding to the group. Michael Mullaney said "Thank you to the Reverend John Whittaker and all who organised the abseil event. "Hinckley Homeless Group do a remarkable job helping to house homeless local young people. I did the abseil in order to help them with raising the money they need to stay open. "There is sadly still a need for homeless accommodation for young people in the Hinckley area. It is therefore vital Lawrence House stays open and I'm glad the abseil has helped them towards raising the money they need."
Social media is awash with similar responses to this weekend's tragedy:
I am appalled.
The War on Welfare (WoW) petition gathered over 104,000 signatures demanding a Cumulative Impact Assessment of austerity on sick and disabled people and their families. But the government has responded with a flat refusal to do so. This constitutes a(nother) massive 'F*ck you' to sick and disabled people (and their families) across Britain, from a government who refuse to find out the true cost of their cuts.
Plymouth's Herald newspaper today published this letter from Peter York, the President of the Plymouth Liberal Democrats: