I have finally got around to reading the December version of “Newham Voices”. It has been a busy few weeks. Lots of good stuff about politics and planning but my eye was caught about this review by Phil Mellows, of a new book called “East E…Read more…
“Frontline staff face lottery when it comes to essential criminal-check costs”
Just imagine that you go for a job as a carer (nearly always low paid) then find out you have to pay for your criminal record check (DBS), not your employer! 42% of employers in a recent UNISON survey recharge their employees for these statutory …Read more…
London 2023 Conference: Tackling London’s Housing Crisis 9/12/23
Dear all, we now have a detailed plan for our event at the
Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD. The event is both in-person
and virtual.
London
2023 Conference: Tackling London’s Housing Crisis – Labour Housing Group
10am star…Read more…
Labour Unions Christmas Shop
I have just ordered a “Labour New Deal for Working People” mug for Christmas. Check out other gifts https://labourunions-shop.org.uk/ “Dear John,With Christmas almost upon us, a
reminder that our Labour Unions Campaign Shop carries a range of…Read more…
Capital Ring Walk 2: Falconwood to Grove Park
Today, Gill and I completed the 2nd “Capital Ring” walk around London. Officially only 3.5 miles but our Zepp Life walking app claimed 6 miles. This included walks from local railway stations to start and finish but also getting a little lost and explo…Read more…
Wellingborough PPC: ‘I cut short my honeymoon to win this by-election’
Hat tip Labour List for this article by former Newham Councillor Gen Kitchen. “I was on day four of my honeymoon in Suffolk when I got the call to say Peter Bone had been suspended from the Commons and a recall petition had been triggered.I …Read more…
Newham Annual Rough Sleeping Count November 23
On Tuesday evening I took part with fellow councillors, outreach workers, council officers and other volunteers in the annual count of people sleeping “rough” in Newham. Across the country similar counts are taking place. Newham also does extra c…Read more…
Launch of Labour Rights Investor Network
Launch
of Labour Rights Investor Network coincides with event at US Department of LaborThe Labour
Rights Investor Network (LRIN) is a global initiative
that brings together asset managers, asset owners and investment service
providers c…Read more…
Size of NHS waiting list under Tories and Labour
this is why we need a Labour government! – hat tip @JoelBodmerRead more…
Newham Heritage Month 2024
Hat tip Newham History Facebook. Post by Newham Heritage. “We’d love to see you at Stratford Library for an Inspiration Day on Saturday 2 December, where some of the photos, objects, maps and more of Newham over the centuries will be on disp…Read more…
Capital Ring Walk 1: Woolwich to Falconwood
A few years ago Gill and I went on a series of linear walks around our city called the London Loop. This was in 24 sections and just under 150 miles. It was really great fun and we went to beautiful and historic parts of London that we had never …Read more…
Plaistow North By Election Polling Day (& speaking at Pension conference)
I took yesterday off work for the by election but got tied up in morning with urgent UNISON “fire and rehire” case work. I was able at lunch time to go “knocking up” (knocking on doors of identified Labour Supporters , reminding them of the election an…Read more…
Eve of Poll Canvass: Plaistow North By election
Picture of activists meeting up before evening canvass. By election takes place tomorrow. If you can help at all please register https://events.labour.org.uk/event/396117Plaistow North is normally a secure Labour seat but there has been a tremendo…Read more…
“MARGARET BONDFIELD WAS A TRAILBLAZER, AND WE NEED TO RECOGNISE THIS!”
I have just signed the petition here https://www.lwn.org.uk/margaret_bondfield_portrait supported by the Labour Womens network for a portrait of her to be displayed at Parliament. Yesterday, there was an informal social held at the UNIS…Read more…
“Stratford sphere proposals rejected by London mayor”
Hat tip BBC News. Good news for local residents!The exterior of the “Sphere” would show adverts and visual displays, which locals say will stop them sleepingBy Noah VickersLocal Democracy Reporting ServicePlans for a Las Vegas-style “Sphere”…Read more…
Metroland Walk – Rickmansworth 6 mile circular by train
Gill and I took the Elizabeth line from Forest Gate then the Metropolitan to Rickmansworth to begin this Chilterns Society Walk. Only 1 hour 20 and as well as being low carbon, was much cheaper and relaxing than driving. A 6 mile circular “easy” w…Read more…
On the knocker for Alam in Plaistow North & supporting Joel in Croydon East
This morning I joined Newham comrades in the rain (it was rather light and sporadic) for a canvass in Plaistow North for the forthcoming Council by election this Thursday 23 November. The canvass was mostly very positive but I did have a tw…Read more…
Anti Bullying Week 13-17 November 2023
One of my major reasons for becoming a trade union activist was to combat bullying at work. It still motivates me now, at what happens when there is imbalance of power at work. Check out this UNISON resource on tackling “Bullying and harassment”….Read more…
Confiscate the Homes of Bad Landlords
Hat tip to Housing Journo @PeteApps on this Observer article and well done to Clive for coming out with something quite radical but really sensible and worth doing.My only hesitation was “Great idea but I do think to be fair & consistent that socia…Read more…
Gen Kitchen: Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Wellingborough
Congratulations to my former Newham Councillor Colleague (and Executive member) Gen Kitchen for winning the nomination to become the Labour Candidate for Wellingborough (the current MP a certain Peter Bone is currently suspended from Parliament du…Read more…