Why I'm Voting Labour

There are a lot of people out there who think bloggers shouldn't talk politics. They think we shouldn't share our views because it might alienate us from brands or our audience, but one thing I've never been scared to do is speak up for what I think is right. And today, that means I'm talking about why I'm voting Labour in the general election on 8th June. 

For me, voting Labour is the only choice. Over the last few years I've watched in horror as the Conservative party has worked to privatise the NHS, a beloved institution that serves every one in the UK. As someone with a chronic pain condition, the NHS is tremendously important to me. Every 3 months I have a very costly treatment that allows me to live a normal life. It means I'm not in A&E in agonising pain needing painkillers on a drip, it means I can work, and it means I am not in pain 24/7. My greatest fear in life is that this will be taken away from me and I will go back to the pain I was in two years ago. As the NHS is privatised and savings are forced, my unusual, expensive and somewhat controversial treatment is one that isn't understood, and I am terrified that it will be a treatment that is withdrawn. (For reference, I have Botox for chronic migraines and it has been life changing!). No one should ever not be able to get the treatment they so desperately need, or have to pay for it, or beg an insurance company to cover it. The NHS is an incredible thing, and I don't want to lose it. I look at the US health care system and my heart breaks, and I do not want to see us head in that direction.

Over the last few years we've also seen those who are most at risk have the most taken from them. From the bedroom tax, to cuts to Disability Living Allowance, the henious rape clause and more. For me, a vote for Labour isn't just what is best for me, it's what is best for those that need us most. DWP figures show that around 90 people a month are dying after being found fit for work (Guardian 2016), people have starved to death after their benefits have been cut (Guardian 2014), and there have even been reports of people suffering from mental health problems asked why they haven't tried to kill themselves in PIP meetings (Metro 2017). We should be helping and protecting those that need us most, not isolating them and taking everything from them. A vote for the tory party feels like a vote against the disabled, a vote against caring for those that need us, and a vote against children.

If the neglect and abuse of humans doesn't phase you, maybe the fact that Theresa May wants to overturn the fox hunting ban will. She is in favour of repealing the ban and allowing the barbaric practice to come back with a bang (BBC 2017). The ban has never been properly enforced so illegal hunts have occurred throughout the country with little policing, and repealing the ban would legitimise a hideously cruel 'sport' and abuse of innocent animals.

I want to see a party in power that cares about everyone, not just those who line their pockets. I want to see a party take from the rich and give to the poor, not the other way around, which it seems to be right now. I want to see a party that cares about the vulnerable in our society. I want to see a party that will care for the sick, the disabled and the mentally ill. I want a party that is for the many, not the few, and that is why I am voting Labour on June 8th.

Much love,

 Kitty xxx

You can read more about Labour's manifesto here.

Monochrome and Red : Purple Super Shock Shadows

The world is a scary place

Right now the world is a scary place, and it can seem overwhelming at times, especially when you are outside of the US. My blog has never been a political place, but my social media is, and it's time to change that. It can feel like there is nothing you can do to help, but I wanted to compile some ways those of us outside the US can help.

One of the big organisations working hard to fight Trump and his executive orders is the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU. They do incredible work, but they need our support to keep on fighting the good fight. They brought the lawsuit that is directly fighting the #MuslimBan and are trying to bring families back together. You can donate to them directly on their website at the link below - 

https://www.aclu.org/

Another organisation that needs support is the CAIR (Council on American-Muslim Relations). They are specifically helping the fight against the prejudices that Muslims in America are facing right now. They are America's largest Muslim civil liberties organisation. More info and ways to donate can be found here - 

https://www.cair.com/

In the UK, we can contact our MPs and ensure that they know how we feel. Let them know that you disagree with Theresa May's hand of friendship being extended to Trump, let them know that you disagree with the #MuslimBan and Trump's scheduled visit to the UK. The more of us that speak up and let our feelings known the better.

http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-your-mp/

There are organisations within the UK that are helping refugees right here at home that need our help too. With the US potentially refusing to take the refugees they had promised to help, they need all the help they can get.

http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Refugee-support

http://www.refugeewomen.co.uk/

http://safepassage.org.uk/

Detention Action are an organisation that aims to help refugees and asylum seekers who are already here in the UK, but who are being held in detention while they wait to see if they will be approved. Many of the people held in detention are stateless, they cannot return home, but they cannot settle here till their applications have been approved.

http://detentionaction.org.uk/

Many of these charities and organisations need donations, but if you can't donate, spread their links where you can. Raising awareness is absolutely key, so keep retweeting and sharing those links, every RT is a new audience that might be able to help even more.

Don't support the organisations whose leaders are cosying up with Trump or are in his cabinet. Delete your Uber account and let them know why, stand with those companies that are brave enough to speak out and risk their brands.

If you are physically able to, attend the marches and protests local to you. Not everyone is able to do this, but those who can, please do. Every voice is another voice than cannot be ignored. Share information for the marches on your social media, especially if you are a blogger with a large audience, everything we can do to help spread the word is essential. Be aware, don't take photos of people without their permission, do not share those photos of people without their permission, do not tag people in photos without their permission, it is not always safe for people to be publicly seen at a protest, use your privilege to raise the voices of those being discriminated against, don't drown out their voices. Worldwide condemnation is so important, we can come together against this hate.

The SWP have been attending many marches and handing out their placards and signs, do not take these. The SWP are hugely problematic and do not need our support. Make your own placards and be careful of which organisations you promote.

If you know of other trustworthy organisations that can help, please let me know them so I can add them to this list.

Kitty xxxx