Cllr Andrew Southall

01/09/2026

The monetary system is the root cause of our compounding crises.

We must end the reliance on central bank interventions that allow governments to bypass fiscal reality. When a state can effectively subsidise its deficit through monetary expansion, true accountability disappears.

Politicians must be bound by strict fiscal rules and hard budget constraints.

If a government cannot rely on indirect monetary financing and chooses to break its manifesto by raising taxes, it must lose its mandate and face an immediate election.

Restoring sound money forces the state to prioritise ruthlessly. Once you fix the incentives of the state, you create the economic discipline required to solve our deepest structural problems.

31/08/2026

They are gone.

30/08/2026

Iceland has voted not to enter talks to join the EU. When do they get their government filibustering and a "People's Vote"? 🤔

23/08/2026

It was good to join Times Radio earlier today to discuss the Prime Minister's proposals to change how planning decisions are made.

Britain needs more homes. The question is how we deliver them.

Simply transferring power from one group of politicians to another will not fix a planning system that is slow, cumbersome and increasingly difficult for smaller builders to navigate.

Regenerate existing sites. Prioritise brownfield land. Make it easier for smaller builders to build. Encourage private investment. And when new homes are approved, make sure the infrastructure promised alongside them is actually delivered.

But there is another side of the housing equation that Westminster is remarkably reluctant to discuss: demand.

Recent levels of net migration have added substantially to housing demand at precisely the time Britain is already struggling with housing supply and infrastructure.

We need to build more.

We also need to reduce demand.

Net 170,000 a year is still too high.

Fix the supply AND the demand.

20/08/2026

I've just met with Steve again from the Pre Metro to talk about proposals to bring about a Very Light Rail service connecting Stourbridge Junction with the rest of the Black Country. The infrastucture is there, why not use it? Done right it would attract global interest in how it should be done.

The Black Country would have 1.2 million residents connected and easing congestion, it would turn Stourbridge Junction into an interconnected travel hub and boost local trade and jobs.

We should go for it.

20/08/2026

Racecourse Lane Norton will be closed to vehicular traffic.

The restriction will be from Wednesday 19th August to Wednesday 9th September 2026.

The extent of the restriction will be from Norton Road to Worcester Lane.

All vehicular traffic will be diverted via:
Norton Road, Worcester Street, Heath Lane, Hagley Road, Worcester Lane and vice versa.

The restriction is required to safely facilitate ongoing works following the fire.

19/08/2026

Wollaston and Stourbridge folk: I read your suggestions and where they were faesible I passed them on to the department. This will now go to a public consultation.

A little birdie tells me that there are plans underway to re-organise the traffic island in the centre of Wollaston. I have until a set date to put comments in, while I do have a couple, I am sure you will join me in welcoming some much needed changes!

19/08/2026

This should be a custodial sentence at a minimum, though I am sure you can think of other retributions!

"There are vultures circling" 😡

19/08/2026

I’ve just got back from the Green Street Gardens TRA meeting, which I’ve been attending since I was elected.

It’s always a pleasure to attend, hear what’s happening locally and see what we can get done for people.

It was also good to have the local MP in attendance. Putting political differences to one side, some of the issues residents face are council matters and others need raising further up the chain, so working together where we can makes sense.

I’ve been raising casework on behalf of the TRA and will continue to chase things up.

If you need my help with any local issues or casework, please email me at:
[email protected]

18/08/2026

Utter madness from Angela Rayner.

If you illegally occupy land and develop it without permission, the response should be simple:

REMOVE the encampment.
ENFORCE the law.
RESTORE the land.

Instead, Labour wants to make life harder for councils trying to protect their communities.

Enough.

There cannot be one planning system for ordinary families, farmers and businesses, and another for those who simply ignore the rules.

Give councils the powers they need. Protect private property. Defend our countryside.

One country. One law. Applied without fear or favour.