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…
TUC 23 Collective Defined Contributions (CDC) Pensions fringe – What are CDC pensions and how will they improve people’s lives?
Better late than never. This is my contribution to the panel fringe on Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) pensions. Many thanks to Hilary from First Actuarial for organising and chairing. Also to Andy and Derek for their excellent contributions. It …Read more…
Remembrance Sunday at All Saints West Ham (and visit to the bells)
This morning I attended the historic All Saints Church in West Ham for the Remembrance Sunday service. Our lMP, Lyn Brown was there, as was soldiers from our local Territorial Army unit, 7 Rifles, Police, Veterans, church members, other Councillo…Read more…
Plaistow North by election & supporting Joel Bodmer for Croydon East
Saturday afternoon I went to support our Labour Candidate, Akthural Alam. I ended up leading a small team using the “Labour Doorstep” smartphone app which is great (but sometimes erratic) for individual canvassing but not that good for a group. Ho…Read more…
Where to mark Remembrance Sunday 2023 in Newham
Each year, Newham Council remembers those who lost their lives during the two World Wars as well as in more recent conflicts.Armistice Day – Friday 10 NovemberService at East Ham Cenotaph in Central Park, E6The service commences at 10.55am, guest…Read more…
Disability Information Day: Thursday 23 November 2023, 11:00-15:00
Sent on behalf of the Greater London Regional Disabled Members CommitteeDear Colleagues RE: Disability Information Day: Thursday 23 November 2023, 11:00-15:00 The Regional Disabled Members Committee hope you will join us for t…Read more…
Black Poppy Rose
This evening after our UNISON branch Executive meeting our Chair, Joseph showed me a badge he had obtained from this site. “In Remembrance of the African, Black Peoples, West Indian, Caribbean, Pacific Islands & Indigenous Communities contribu…Read more…
Happy 61st birthday John!
Many thanks to my wonderful wife Gill for this photo collage birthday card. I cannot believe that I am now well and truly into my 60s!. I am sure that I am only 39 (again).I had to go to court this morning to find out what was happening to a tenant who…Read more…
Longlisted:Joel Bodmer for Croydon East
Fantastic news. Joel has been longlisted to be the Labour Party candidate for Croydon East at the next General Election. Well done to Joel and his team. Check out his website here Read more…
Aythorpe Roding, Woodlard Ash and Hellman’s Cross walk (and the site of the execution of Elizabeth Abbot for witchcraft?)
Gill and I went today for a 5 mile circular walk in North Essex, starting at the ancient church in Aythorpe Roding. There are 8 settlements that take their name from the River Roding, which flows all the way into the Thames and also via Newham.&n…Read more…
Cllr surgery then having proper conversations with residents in Plaistow North
This morning I had my West Ham ward Councillor surgery in Vicarage Lane Community centre then I went off to canvass for Labour in the by election due to take place on Thursday 23 November. I was in a group with our fantastic local candidate, Akth…Read more…
LBTH UNISON Housing Boys Birthday Beer & Curry
A good night in the “Half Moon” Wetherspoon in Stepney (A former Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel) then a great curry in the Lahore Kebab House. Perfect.Eustace (Monty’s older brother), me, Dave, Montrose, work colleague of Eustace, Trevor….Read more…
Unionreps Connect 2023 – 15 November
(I have a clash and cannot go this year) Unionreps Connect 2023 is less than a fortnight away! If you haven’t signed up already, here’s 3 reasons why you should be there: share ideas and experiences with union reps from around the country brush up…Read more…