Dear National Labour Link Committee and Regional Labour Link Committees, Some of you will have seen the article in the press and communications from the General Secretary Andrea Egan regarding an endorsement of Ed Miliband to be Chance…Read more…
The Passing of Second World War Veteran & Newham Resident: Gilbert: Clarke.
This Saturday I will be attending the memorial service at East Ham Town Hall on behalf of Newham Council to honour the life and service of Gilbert, a veteran whose courage helped safeguard our freedoms at a moment of profound danger for our country.I f…Read more…
West Ham Ward Councillor report: Week ending 28/6/26
This is a factual round‑up of my recent activities as one of your West Ham Ward Councillors. Please feel free to share with neighbours, community groups, and WhatsApp chats.Safeguarding Induction – Adults & ChildrenOn Monday evening, Cllr Kwarteng …Read more…
🌤️ A Post‑Conference “Recovery Walk” on the Benfleet Downs & Hadleigh Marsh
Hadleigh Castle, marshes, detours and a bit of social historyAfter a full-on UNISON conference week & then a Newham Council Saturday, I escaped to Essex with Gill for what we optimistically called a “recovery walk” — the familiar 6.5‑mile circular …Read more…
Saturday Councillor Surgery
This morning I held my West Ham ward Councillor surgery at Vicarage Lane Community Centre. Arriving at 10am, I found seven residents already waiting to speak with me.Two residents raised an urgent parking and anti-social behaviour (ASB) issue. I …Read more…
UNISON NDC 2026 – Reflections (Day Four and home)
NDC Day – Reflections on a Full and Moving FridayI was up early and went for a run — well, a slow jog — east along the prom for fifteen minutes before turning back to the hotel. Warm, dry, and misty: the kind of morning that feels suspended in ti…Read more…
UNISON NDC 2026 – Reflections (Day Three)
Day three started with some early HIIT training to wake me up, followed by an NEC pre-meeting and then breakfast with my Community colleague Denise.Conference (NDC) began at 9:30am, and thankfully the rudeness and disrespect previously shown towa…Read more…
UNISON NDC 2026 – Reflections (Day Two)
Early Morning Run and NEC Conference Reflections – BrightonIt was an early start this morning with a run—well, more of a slow jog—along Brighton seafront. There’s something grounding about getting out before the day properly begins, especially ah…Read more…
UNISON NDC 2026 – Reflections (Day One)
For the first time in many years, I arrived late to the start of UNISON National Delegate Conference due to other urgent matters. I am attending conference in my capacity as an elected member of the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC) for Community…Read more…
West Ham Ward Panel AGM & Meeting 4.6.26
Yesterday evening myself and my Labour & Co‑op Councillor colleague Adjoa Kwarteng with Green Councillor Ibrahim Alom attended the meeting of the West Ham Ward Panel, alongside local residents and four officers from our Safer Neighbourhoods Team.Th…Read more…
Tribute to Councillor who built trust
A touching tribute from a resident to former Labour Stratford Councillor Sabia Kamali, who unfortunately lost her seat in last month’s elections. She was one of the most talented and dedicated Councillors I’ve ever met. I’m confident this is just…Read more…
Thank you dinner for Labour activists
A great snapshot from last week’s dinner for Labour activists in Newham, held after May’s election. It was a lovely meal with constructive feedback on the campaign. Many thanks to the candidates for organising such a well-supported event.&nb…Read more…
“What has a Labour Government ever done for us?…Employment rights reforms”
🌙 Rough Sleeper Count: A Midnight Snapshot of Life on Our Streets
Last Thursday evening, just before midnight, our Newham Council teams gathered once again for the latest bi‑monthly count of people sleeping rough across the borough. From midnight until 3am, staff and volunteers fanned out across known locations…Read more…
Newham Council Annual General Meeting 2026
A belated report on the AGM last week in the beautiful main hall of East Ham (also referred to as Newham but disputed by West Ham) Town Hall. We are not in my view really into “pomp and circumstance” in Newham but this is the formal Annual G…Read more…
Our rights at work are under attack – Help us Stop the Steal Tuesday 2 June | 2:00 – 3:00
Trade union rights and renters’ rights are under attack.
Join the TUC and guest speakers for a webinar on the #StopTheSteal campaign and how union reps can help defend hard-won protections at work and at home.
We’ll discuss what proposed attacks…Read more…
Labour Unions – Join us to campaign for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election
Join us to campaign for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election.Help Labour win.Working people are crying out for change. That’s why policies like the New Deal for Working People are so important.Andy Burnham is standing because he believes th…Read more…
🚲 A Sunday Morning in West Ham: Community, Conversation and a Rossi with the Mayor
Sunday started early with a cycle over to my ward and a hearty breakfast at the Plaistow Café — the kind of place where the tea is strong, the portions generous, and the conversations even better.From there I joined local residents for a site vis…Read more…
🚶♂️ A Return to North Weald: Forgotten Paths, Hidden Forts and a 450‑Year‑Old Pub
After finishing my Councillor surgery yesterday, Gill and I drove out to North Weald for a 4.7‑mile circular walk — a route we first did in 1998, again in 2011, and then somehow managed to forget entirely. It begins near the historic North Weald …Read more…
🟣 West Ham Ward Labour & Co‑op Councillors – Our First Advice Surgery of the New Term
This morning Adjoa Kwarteng and I held our first free, confidential advice surgery of the new term as your West Ham Ward Labour & Cooperative Councillors.We’re pleased to confirm that our weekly face‑to‑face surgeries will now take place at:…Read more…