I think it is important that the text of this motion passed by Newham Full Council meeting on 16 October 2023 is more widely circulated. I spoke in favour of the motion as did many of my Labour colleagues. The motion was also supported by the 3 Ne…Read more…
LGPS Forum: Opportunity to participate in transnational Labour Rights Investor Network
(UNISON are supporting their members who are pension trustees/activists to join)The Global Union’s Committee on Workers’
Capital (CWC) is a network of pension trustees and staff dedicated to ensuring
that employee retirement assets are invested r…Read more…
Lynn Brenig Walk to the valley of death
Yesterday (Sunday) was very wet in East London, so no local walk. This picture is from a couple of weeks ago, when Gill and I went to sort out some family business in North Wales. We had time for a short but still demanding 2.5 mile walk via Ordi…Read more…
Good Bye to the East Ham Spoons
On Thursday evening after Pension committee, a couple of us went across the road from East Ham Town Hall to “The Miller’s Well” for some food and a drink. While many people are for good reasons anti-Wetherspoons’s (due to the right wing views of one of…Read more…
TUC Regional Council & then “on the knocker” in Plaistow North
Today was a Labour Movement day. In the morning I went as a UNISON delegate to the TUC London, East and South East Regional Council meeting at Congress House. It was good to be back in person at these meetings. There was an important panel d…Read more…
West Ham Ward Councillor surgeries – Saturdays 10am-1pm in Vicarage Lane Community Centre
This is a draft poster of our advice surgeries. All residents welcome, no appointment necessary. The three of us take it in turns and my next one will be a week tomorrow Saturday 4 November. Email the Mayor for an invite to her surgery. Read more…
Proud to be backed by UNISON – Joel Bodmer for Croydon East
Congratulations to Joel for winning the UNISON Labour Link nomination. In our roles as elected Chair and Vice Chair of Greater London Regional Labour Link committee, myself and Yvonne Green (who happens to be a Croydon East Labour activist) interviewed…Read more…
Black History Month: Representation in East London
Hat tip to Ade for arranging and recording this fascinating discussion (and beyond Newham). Ade Adeyemi@i_Ade_Adeyemi#BlackHistoryMonth Black councillors across Newham celebrating and discussing representation in policy and politics across #EastLo…Read more…
Joel Bodmer for Croydon East
Today Joel launched his campaign to become the Labour Party Candidate for Croydon East. He is secretary to the Greater London UNISON Labour Link committee, which I chair but I have known him since he joined my UNISON branch as a Mental Health Support w…Read more…
“Despised…Why the Modern Left Loathes the Working Class”
I met up last week with a UNISON member and former work colleague. We meet 3-4 times a year for a meal and chat about politics and trade unions. He sent me this book by Paul Embery and we are planning to discuss it next time we meet. I will post …Read more…
Sundon Hills Walk – Chiltern Society & OS maps
On Sunday Gill and I stopped off at Upper Sundon, Bedfordshire on way back from North Wales to London for a 4 mile walk to break up the journey. How many times have we just made long journeys from A-B without stopping off. A fabulous, peacef…Read more…
‘How can we put an end to greenwashing? LAPFF & Smith Institute Fringe at Labour Conference 2023
This is my presentation to this fringe. Hat tip Paul Hunter from PRIC for excellent speech notes. “Thank you Clive. I am delighted to be here in Liverpool and looking forward to today’s discussion. I am John Gray, I’m councillor in Newham, I’m ch…Read more…
UNISON National Labour Link elections – ballot closes at 5pm on Friday 20 October 2023.
All UNISON Labour Link members should have received an email for regional seats (if contested and some seats were not) :-From: Civica Election Services <takepart@cesvotes.com
Subject: UNISON National Labour Link Committee
Elections 2023-2025I…Read more…
Labour Party Conference 2023 – Monday
Day 3 of conference for me started with another morning run along the Mersey and back (3.4 miles different direction from yesterday).I met on route an influential Council leader who berated me for running so late in the day. He had gone for his run tha…Read more…
Labour Party conference 2023 – Sunday
Today started off with a gentle 2.5 mile jog along the Mersey then back again. At 12.30 I took part in a well attended, lively panel organised by the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum on “Green washing” which I will post on later. I a…Read more…
Labour Party Conference 2023 – Saturday
Today, after my Newham Councillor surgery, I travelled to Liverpool for the 2023 Labour Party conference. I had to go into the conference office (yet again) to pick up my credentials since they had not arrived by post. Since this is my 3rd L…Read more…
Husband’s moving tribute to ex Newham mayor Marie Collier
Hat tip Newham Recorder about the marvellous service I attended today to honour and remember former Councillor and Civic Mayor, Marie Collier. Definitely a life well lived. “Tributes have been paid to a former mayor and long-serving Newham c…Read more…
Denise Thomas & John Gray Community NEC Report Oct 2023
NEC Meeting 14 July 2023This was the first National Executive Council to be held after National Conference. We had met briefly there to elect the Presidential Team. President is Libby Nolan and Vice Presidents Steve North & Julia Maluke were narro…Read more…
How can we put an end to greenwashing? Labour Party Conference fringe meeting – Sunday 8 October, 12.30-1.30 Room 25, Liverpool ACC
CHAIR
· Clive Betts MP, Chair Parliament Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Committee
SPEAKERS
· Baroness Blake of Leeds, Lords Spokesperson
Energy and Net Zero…Read more…
Affordable Homes for Key Workers: TUC Congress 2023 Composite 07
This is the speech I made as a UNISON delegate at last months TUC Congress about “Affordable Homes for Key Workers”. President, Congress, John Gray, from UNISON speaking in support of Composite 7. This motion highlights the profound imp…Read more…