Picture of a semi outdoor meal at the relatively new Rodina restaurant in Stratford High Street on Tuesday evening. I was with former Newham Councillor (and Chair of Local Authority Pension Fund Forum) John Saunders and my West Ham Ward Councillo…Read more…
“Military housing: Families say they’re living in damp, mouldy conditions” Will Gove tell Wallace to Resign?
Check out on this daming BBC report and pictures on the dreadful conditions that so many of our military families live in. While I am broadly supportive of the often justifiable criticisms that Secretary State, Michael Gove has made of socia…Read more…
Getting ready for UNISON NHS strikes – 21.12.22
Picture from yesterday in Wanstead flats, East London, after the heaviest snowfall for many years alongside a potential picket, who will be supporting the UNISON NHS strike next week (Wednesday 21 December) against massive real term pay cuts for …Read more…
“Newham Voices needs your support. Come and join us 10 am Saturday, December 17th, at Stratford Library”
“Newham Voices needs your support. Come and join us 10 am Saturday, December 17th, at Stratford Library For more than two years Newham Voices has been successfully providing community news and information for the people of Newham, but now we…Read more…
Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) Annual Conference 2022: Day 1
Last week I went to the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) Annual 3 day Conference in Bournemouth. I have been one of the Joint Vice Chairs for the past 3 years and an active participant in LAPFF both as a trade union pension rep and a Co…Read more…
UNISON Housing Association Branch Executive Xmas Polish Dinner
After a few very busy days at the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) Conference in Bournemouth (which I will post further on) I came back to London to meet up with colleagues from my UNISON branch executive for a my first ever Polish meal at&nb…Read more…
Nazeing Common walk
Off message but on Sunday Gill and I went for a 5 mile circular walk around Nazeing Common in Essex. Only 30 minutes drive from East London (not great for public transport), we have done several versions of this walk but this one was taken from the Ord…Read more…
Plaistow West and Canning Town East canvass 3.12.22
On Saturday after my surgery I joined the new Councillor team at the also new ward of Plaistow West and Canning Town East. We were joined by our Greater London Assembly member, Unmesh Desai. On the whole a fairly positive canvass. Lots …Read more…
My last West Ham Councillor surgery at Stratford Library?
On Saturday morning I had what I hoped to be my last Councillor surgery in the Newham Council Archives and Local Studies in Stratford Library. The staff at the library have been lovely but we (including my fellow ward Councillors John Whitwor…Read more…
Nearly one million UK workers suffering from Work Related stress, depression or anxiety – 11% rise
Check out this article in the IOSH website about the 11% rise in work related stress reported by the Health & Safety Executive in their annual report. Very worrying for employers and unions. The HSE believe that nearly half of these workers b…Read more…
Clarion UNISON AGM 2022 – Re-elected as National Convenor
I was really pleased to be re-elected (unopposed) this evening as the UNISON National Convenor at our AGM held in person in London Bridge HQ and virtually on msn teams. Our most active steward, Joseph Ogundemuren, was also elected to the new position o…Read more…
11th Anniversary of UNISON National Pension Strike 2011
Facebook reminded me this morning that it is the 11th anniversary of the 2011 successful strike action to protect public sector pensions (Facebook immediately lost any thanks for this memory for refusing to allow me to share, since they thought my post…Read more…
Last weeks Keto (low carb diet) highlights
I have been on a Keto (low carb) diet since June and so far it has worked (I have lost 23 pounds with 6 more to go). I have been exercising as well and cheating massively from time to time. I know it is not great to exclude a major food group fro…Read more…
West Ham Labour canvass & remembering V2 Nazi Rocket attack (Solidarity with Ukraine)
Yesterday I helped organise a Labour campaign session in the ward that I represent as a Councillor in Newham, West Ham with my colleague Cllr John Whitworth. It was great that we had a number of Party members joining us including Plastow Co…Read more…
Sign up for TUC Pensions Conference 2023
I have just booked a place. Usually an excellent pension conference for trade unionists. Not sure why on St David’s Day? Hope they have Cawl for lunch!”Sign up for TUC Pensions Conference 2023 Congress Centre, London | 09:30 to 16:30 |1 March…Read more…
A Stratford & West Ham Champion for women and children – Newham Voices Dec 22
Another great local newspaper edition from Newham Voices. This article celebrates amazing two women (one very local) who made a difference in local politics and in art. Read more…
Canning Town South Canvass with Lyn Brown MP
On Saturday I went canvassing in Canning Town South ward with our local MP, Lyn Brown and Unmesh our local Assembly member and Councillors Das Gupta and Griffiths. The ward has been transformed in recent times by the building of so man…Read more…
Newham Street Count: 17.11.22
Picture is of local volunteers, Council officers and Councillors about to go out at midnight on Thursday to take our part in the UK annual nationwide street count of people sleeping rough. We also had observers to verify our results from the civi…Read more…
“An Avoidable Death”
The death of this tiny toddler is shocking but this account by housing lawyer, Giles Peaker, should make very uncomfortable reading for all housing staff and Councillors. “Every death was avoidable” said Richard Millett KC at the closi…Read more…
Mining and Human Rights: LAPFF Chair Returns from Brazil Tailings Dam Trip
Check out this press release by the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (I am Joint Vice Chair) on the recent visit by our Chair to Brazil. Many thanks to Doug and our engagement partners, PIRC, for all their work during this important visit. Some …Read more…