Labour Party conference starts on Sunday in Liverpool and I am looking to being one of the two elected UNISON Labour Link delegates for Greater London. I will post when I can.However, quick plug with a different hat for a fringe I will be speakin…Read more…
Service of Thanksgiving at West Ham Church for Queen Elizabeth
This morning I went to a “Service of Thanksgiving” for the late Queen at the historic, All Saints Church, in the ward I represent as an elected Councillor, West Ham, in Newham London. I was with the representative for the West Ham Parliamen…Read more…
Nesil and Tudor for Labour Party NEC
Last week I finally got around to voting on line in the Labour Party elections for Councillor representatives on our National Executive Council (NEC). More than happy to vote for and endorse Nesil (Long standing London UNISON member) and Tud…Read more…
Covid Booster and Flu Jabs
Today I had my Covid vaccination booster (my 4th jab) in my right arm and a flu jab in my left. This was following a text to my phone asking me to book an appointment. So far, no side effects. This was at my local GP practice and I did …Read more…
Building the Baseline: Breaking the Class Barrier
I am part of the taskforce (which is now winding down) from the Local Government Pension Fund Forum. If we continue to prevent talented working class employees from senior positions in our financial services industry then this will have an impact…Read more…
Pay Your Pension Some Attention – brought to you by Big Zuu
I have posted a lot on pensions over the years but never thought I would share a grime artist/rapper (& chef) views on the subject? Check out https://www.pensionattention.co.uk/Big Zuu says listen up! It’s time to Pay Your Pension Some At…Read more…
Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang Windmill Walk
Another great walk from this summer that I haven’t managed so far to post. It is a 8 mile 4 hour (Orange graded) circular Pathfinder walk in the Chilterns – Ibstone, Turville and Fingest. Not public transport friendly I am afraid. A quiet and rath…Read more…
Goodbye and thank you Queen Elizabeth
Yesterday I was driving from London to North Wales, due to a family medical emergency (my Mum Margaret Gray) when I heard the news that the Queen was unwell and that members of her immediate family had been called to her bedside in Balmoral, Scotland.&…Read more…
Love to learn – National TUC Education courses 2022/23
TUC Education courses – 2022/23 It’s not too late to sign up for courses running in your area from September 2022. You can now sign up for courses running in 2023 as well. Our courses offer essential training for reps and help you develop your s…Read more…
Liz is our leader
Weird day. Love this tweet by sacked Tory Ministers wife about their new leader. Hope it is not fake :-)Felicity Cornelius-Mercer@mercer_felicityHe asked her ‘why would you do this, who is going to be better at this role than me, which of your ma…Read more…
Across the Red Line – Can going on strike any longer be justified?
I really enjoyed this defence of the right to strike by former General Secretary of the CWU (Royal Mail union) and Labour Home Secretary, Alan Johnson. He was in a Radio 4 debate with a right wing economist who believed that workers should not be allow…Read more…
“Mum quits NHS pension to pay soaring bills before dying leaving orphaned kids penniless”
Hat tip Daily Mirror on this awful story of NHS Cleaner Judith Thorpe, who cancelled her pension due to rising bills and then later died from Covid last month. She was a widow supporting her 16 and 13 year old children.Since she cancelled her pens…Read more…
Newham Voices – September 2022 (Three Mills Tragedy)
Just read the latest edition of the excellent Community newsletter https://newhamvoices.co.uk/. The article on page 11 on the “tragic story of heroism at the Three Mills Distillery” was really informative. The “Helping Hands Memorial” at the…Read more…
Table Mountain walk (South Wales)
I have had a busy summer walking wise but have not posted on many of the great walks that Gill and I have been on recently. This 5 mile circular Pathfinder walk from Crickhowell, South Wales was marvellous. Quite tough on a hot summer day but the views…Read more…
West Ham Labour informal social – good to meet up again
Picture from an informal social of West Ham CLP members that I happened to have in my phone’s contact list. Apologies for those I missed out on the invitation. Let me know for next time. There was about 25 members who came and went. As you w…Read more…
“Topping out” at Leather Gardens, West Ham
I know Councillors love having their picture taken in hard hats and hi-vis (even if they don’t always fit that well) but I really enjoyed this “topping out” the other week with the Mayor laying the final brick.But the main reason for my plea…Read more…
Wedding of Anika with Naim
I was honoured to be a guest this evening at the wedding of the eldest daughter Anika of my Newham colleague, Cllr Abul Bashar Syed (also a fellow Union activist with the CWU) and Mrs Niheli Syeda (Shemoli). It was a lovely meal and great to meet …Read more…
How would Labour’s energy plan help you?
No tax breaks for millionaire and instead help everyone? Read more…
Pledge yes to the nhs
The government won’t move on NHS pay, from Thursday, tell your NHS staff in England to pledge yes and show them we’re serious. www.NHSpay.orgRead more…
UNISON activist: Solidarity with St Monica strikers
Care staff announce new strike dates over pay, says UNISONWorkers at St Monica Trust plan 48-hour walkout and two-day strike in AugustCare workers, registered nurses and residential home staff employed by Bristol-based St Monica Trust will take f…Read more…