Over half of Bristol City Council's core spending power comes from council tax, and almost all the rest comes from business rates - another regressive and outdated tax that promotes economic inefficiency.
It is long past time the Government overhauled property taxation with a fairer Land Value Tax.
Great to be in Oxford today supporting Ahalya and the rest of the amazing @oxfordgreenparty.bsky.social candidates!
The Merchants Arms has a crowdfunder up to help pay for repair costs. If you can, please consider donating at gofund.me/6b6477bb9
Sensible policies for a happier Britain!
"If drivers of motor vehicles are required to have number plates to drive on the road, destroying the walls of pubs as they career around corners at high speeds allegedly under the influence of drugs, then cyclists should have number plates too"
The dangerous roads and impossible cycling situation here were literally the reasons why we didn't choose to send our child to the lovely Hotwells School - the idea of cycling to and from there twice a day was too risky. Speed limits and provision for cyclists are badly needed here.
Dreadful news. Merchants Arms is a great pub and Bristol legend. Pubs are having a challenging time as it is without having to worry about cars slamming into them. @patdbmcallister.bsky.social and I said to the recent transport committee that we welcome 20mph speed limits. Can’t come soon enough
Sadly my wonderful local pub The Merchants Arms in Hotwells has been hit for the third time. Thankfully no serious injuries but Emily and the staff will have to close for quite a while. Hope @patdbmcallister.bsky.social & Bristol City Council can find funding to stop it happening again.
I have written to the Merchants Arms to offer my support, and I will do what I can to ensure that we change the speed limits and infrastructure here to stop this happening again.
bsky.app/profile/morr...
Other locals were bemoaning the poor safety infrastructure in the area: this isn't the first time the Merchants Arms has been hit!
We need systemic improvements. Road safety is a priority for @bristolgreenparty.bsky.social and I will keep pressing hard for specific changes to the Hotwells roads.
Paul next to the destroyed chair out the front of the pub. Photo and story shared with permission.
I spoke to Paul, who habitually sits in the chair out the front of the pub in this picture, which was destroyed by the crash. Thankfully he wasn't sitting there when this happened. And thankfully the pub wasn't full of people - this time.
The car at the scene of the crash.
A view of the interior of the pub through the demolished front wall.
Patrick with the car and pub in the background.
I am upset and angry at another serious car crash in Hotwells. The front of the Merchants Arms pub has been caved in.
I was informed that there are injuries but no fatalities.
This is exactly why our administration is bringing in 20mph limits - we need them.
Today, half a million people marched against racism and division as @togetheralliance.bsky.social
The emboldenment of the far right is a grave concern for all of us. Today, Brits said loud and clear: they do not represent us. Our streets belong to us, not to fearmongers who preach hate 🫱🏼🫲🏿🪧
Yesterday, our PCC Clare Moody was asked to stand up for a change in drug policy, given the ongoing failure of the war on drugs and the impact of drug use. But she said there was "contradictory evidence".
The Green Party has an evidence-based drug policy. Labour should engage with it, not smear it.
Labour have been smearing the Greens on our evidenced-based approach to drugs. If the PM won’t listen to us, and he won’t listen to the experts, will he listen to the families at @anyoneschild.bsky.social, who have lost loved ones under the UK’s current negligent drug policies?
Horrified by the antisemitic attack in our city.
Antisemitism is vile and has no place here.
Solidarity with the Jewish community in Golders Green - and with our communities across the country who will be feeling this today.
My thoughts are with Jewish communities across Britain today in the wake of the antisemitic arson attack on ambulances in London.
This disgusting act of hatred and intimidation has no place in the UK.
Everything we need to do to stop climate breakdown, we also need to do for national security. Energy saving, more renewables, more electricity storage and interconnectors, electrification of transport, heating, cooking and industrial processes, plant-based diets. We win on all fronts.
archive.ph/9VH0C for reference.
Source: "Labour’s leftward shift and the bond vigilante threat" from the Financial Times, accessible at archive.ph/9VH0C
Oof, I mis-pasted the link! I shall amend, thank you for flagging that
Screenshot of an excerpt from a Financial Times article reading "Rayner wrote a memo last year urging Reeves to raise taxes by up to £4bn a year, including raising corporation tax rates for banks and pushing more people into the top tax band. Her allies admit the party is feeling the heat from the Greens to move left: “We have what I thought we would never see in my lifetime, a large-membership party — with more members than us — outflanking us from the left,” one says."
In which we see - the first? - admission from a (presumably) well-placed Labour Party source that @greenparty.org.uk now has more members than Labour!
Patrick in hard hat and high vis on the scaffolding attached to the front exterior of Jacob's Wells Baths, with part of Brandon Hill Park and the houses of Hotwells & Harbourside in the background.
Patrick with fellow Green councillors Jerome Thomas, Ani Townsend, Sibusiso Tshabalala, and Trinity Bristol workers, inside the scaffolding covered main hall/old swimming pool room.
A photo showing the size of the main hall and the scale of the scaffolding in place at the moment.
It was amazing to get to go and see the progress @trinitybristol.bsky.social are making restoring Jacob's Wells Baths.
Some of us @bristolgreenparty.bsky.social councillors were lucky enough to get a tour and see the work underway.
I enjoyed this rare, time-limited view of Hotwells & Harbourside!
I'm delighted that tonight the Transport & Connectivity committee approved the next steps to turn several 30mph roads across Bristol into safer, cleaner and nicer 20mph ones instead.
Several roads in Hotwells & Harbourside, including Hotwell, Anchor and Cumberland Roads, will benefit.
Patrick standing by Cumberland Basin on a scouring day, with the bonded warehouse in the background.
On the Harbour Committee today, we released over £7.5M for essential maintenance and repair works around Bristol Harbour.
This money will make a real difference to the Harbour's safety and operation, including for features in Hotwells & Harbourside like Pero's Bridge and the Entrance Lock gates.
A nasty traffic collision on Hotwell Road. I really hope the people involved are all okay.
Serious traffic congestion on Hotwell Road - all traffic, avoid if possible.
This is incredibly brave and utterly devastating. I dearly hope it helps to prompt some soul searching and a course change from the Government.
I had a great time at tonight's community workshop - thank you to everyone who attended and to the Council officers for organising.
The evening's highlight was speaking with Andrew Varga of Seetru, a brilliant Harbourside company, about exciting plans for a new public sculpture! Watch this space 👀
Patrick with the Green volunteers outside the Grain Barge in Hotwells.
It was fantastic to be out on the doors today in Hotwells & Harbourside with so many new Green Party members!
As Lee put it "I'm supporting the Greens because I finally want a party to vote for, not against".
There has never been a better time to join.greenparty.org.uk
I'm backing this petition to make Hotwell Road 20mph, for better air quality, walkability, and safety.
I've been working in the Council to make this happen and this petition shows the public support..
If you live in Bristol or regularly use Hotwell Road, please sign at c.org/cSFCZzcJ8J
Community workshop details for exploring how Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding can be spend. 9 March 2026. 17:30-19:30. The Redland Club, Burlington Road, Bristol BS6 6TN. For more information email communities@bristol.gov.uk
If you are a resident of Hotwells & Harbourside, Clifton, Clifton Down or Cotham wards, come along to our Area Committee workshop next Monday to decide how funding can be spent in your area!
