Hello Clarion UNISON member,Final Clarion Pay offer to all staff negotiated by UNISON Following meetings with local reps and UNISON national officers (including information from the bargaining support unit), UNISON put in a claim for £2500 f…Read more…
“Newham for newcomers” by Sharon Chawda
I sadly missed the book launch because I was away at the LGA Labour conference. Guest speakers included Newham MPs Stephen Timms, Diane Abbott and James Asser. While researching the book Sharon interviewed me and very kindly gave me a copy w…Read more…
UNISON NEC members meet up before meeting Wednesday 11.2.26
A few of us from the UNISON NEC managed to meet up on Tuesday evening at our national headquarters on Euston Road. It was a relaxed chance to catch up before the formal business began.Our elected lay President, Catherine, is right at the centre o…Read more…
Rainy Sunday West Ham Street Surgery – Labour delivers on funding for Newham
Last Sunday, despite the wet weather, we conducted our street surgery in the Abbey Road tower blocks. The views from the top were quite impressive. Although many residents were not home, those I did speak with were pretty positive. Concerns w…Read more…
Epping Green Walk 14.2.26
Went for a lovely 5 mile circular walk with Gill last Saturday in Essex only 30 mins drive from East London. Some nice views, different terrain and somewhat stretching climbs (for Essex). Wet and muddy in parts after recent rain. We have don…Read more…
Re-elected as UNISON Greater London Regional Council officer (Finance Convenor) 2026-27
I was pleased to be re‑elected with a solid majority as Finance Convenor (RCO) for the London Region, and I offer commiserations to my opponent. I think I was first elected to this role in either 2006 or 2007, which means this may well be my twen…Read more…
Every worker needs a union. Have you joined one yet?
Every worker needs a union. Have you joined one yet? https://lnkd.in/ejAkzRHF#HeartUnionsLast day of Love Unions Week 2026. Check out this TUC web site to find out which union you should consider joining. https://www.tuc.org.uk/heartunions&n…Read more…
Canning Town South Street Surgery
On Monday evening, I joined my fellow Labour candidates in Canning Town South for a street surgery in their ward. We managed to get into some of the newer blocks and chatted with residents about any issues or concerns they had with Newham Council,…Read more…
Canning Town South Street Surgery
On Monday evening, I joined my fellow Labour candidates in Canning Town South for a street surgery in their ward. We managed to get into some of the newer blocks and chatted with residents about any issues or concerns they had with Newham Council,…Read more…
Labour LGA Conference 2026 (and West Ham Street Surgery)
Last Saturday morning I joined my West Ham colleagues for a street surgery before heading to Coventry for the Labour Local Government Association annual conference. During the street surgery, I had a fascinating and respectful conversation w…Read more…
March TOGETHER Against The Far Right – London 28 March 2026
Friend,Thank you for joining Together, a new alliance of 50+ organisations and thousands of individuals united against the hate of the far right.We’re so proud to have you with us, and so excited to get to work to show what this country really st…Read more…
West Ham Station Attack 50th Anniversary – 15 March
Hat tip ASA Charity https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=west%20ham%20station%20attack%2050th”In 1976, the IRA terrorists bombing campaign in London was at its height, targeting ordinary people as they went about their daily work. On 15 Mar…Read more…
Abbey Gardens Street Surgery, the Plaistow Landgrabbers & Residents meeting on Trees
On Saturday, Adjoa, Sam, and I continued our street surgeries with supporters, having also done one the previous Monday evening. We spoke with residents in several streets near Abbey Road, visited the Community Gardens, admired the historic …Read more…
TUC LESE Regional Council & Love Unions week 2026
On Saturday morning, I joined UNISON colleagues from Greater London, South East, and Eastern regions as delegates at the TUC LESE Regional Council meeting. It was held online because the National TUC has decided to sell its headquarters at Congress Hou…Read more…
Wayne Mattison for Community Yorkshire & Humberside General Seat –
It’s a bit late, but I’d like to ask UNISON branches or other nomination bodies in the Yorkshire & Humberside region to consider nominating Wayne for the Community General seat. Wayne is an experienced multi-trade repair operative and serves a…Read more…
On tour with Newham Cyclists and Labour Mayor Candidate Forhad Hussain
Yesterday I joined Newham Cyclists and Labour Mayoral candidate Forhad Hussain for a short tour of LTNs, School Streets, and other cycle schemes in Plaistow, West Ham, and Forest Gate. Forhad and I are both keen cyclists (and car owners), an…Read more…
Newham Bi Monthly Rough Sleeping Count Jan 26
Yesterday, I joined Newham staff and fellow councillors for the bi-monthly count of residents sleeping on the streets in Newham. We met at the Newham Dockside office at 11 p.m., and after an extensive briefing, we headed to various known “ro…Read more…
West Ham Ward Surgeries – in and out
This morning I cycled to Stratford Library for my West Ham Councillor surgery in Stratford Library. It was really busy and I also had 2 consecutive residents seeking advice on housing eviction notices. One was very imminent and both were not in t…Read more…
West Ham: a place in labour history
Hat tip Captain Swing and Society for the Study of Labour History (SSLH). West Ham’s first Labour council, 1898.In our continuing series on places in labour history, Mike Mecham argues that West Ham and Canning Town in East London…Read more…
New Year West Ham Street Surgery
After a walking holiday in mostly sunny and warm Madeira, I went out with Newham Labour activists and Councillors today, carrying out a street surgery of residents in West Ham ward. On my right is Sam Mannion who is standing as a Labour Councillo…Read more…