2 weeks ago I met up with my former West Ham CLP comrades John Whitworth and John Saunders for a meal and chin wag in Stratford. Both of whom are long standing Labour Party members and former Newham Councillors (and both also have PHDs)John W is …Read more…
International Workers Memorial Day 2026: UNISON Housing workers “Remember the Dead & Fight for the Living”
Today, the Greater London UNISON Housing Association branch marked International Workers Memorial Day at the “clasping hands” statue in 3 Mills Green, Stratford, for what I believe is the 17th year. This day honours workers in the UK and around the wor…Read more…
Royal Docks, West Ham & Maryland Campaign Day 11.4.26
✊ A Strong Day of Campaigning Across NewhamToday was one of those days that reminds me why I love campaigning in Newham — full of energy, purpose, and real conversations with residents.🚴♂️ Royal Victoria: Starting the Day with LeaflettingThe mor…Read more…
Labour teams about to set off in Plaistow South
Great picture from last night as Labour activists set off to campaign in Plaistow South with our By Election candidate, Asheen Singh (date of by election Thursday 18 September). I was running the “door step” app in a team with Ash and long standi…Read more…
West Ham welcomes Sadiq Khan as London Labour Mayoral Candidate
Today we met up with Cllr James Beckles in West Ham Ward (Newham, London) who is standing as a “Labour List” candidate in next months London Assembly Elections. He was with the East London & City candidate, Unmesh Desai and we had a special g…Read more…
Newham Voices: “East End Pubs” December 2023
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…
The Three Johns (& crispy tripe)
Just back from a lovely catch up and meal with my two West Ham Labour comrades, John Saunders and John Whitworth, at 012 Bar & Grill in Stratford.
While putting Newham and the local Labour Party to rights, over some beers and lovely Ne…Read more…
We’re voting for change – Letter in Newham Recorder
An excellent letter in the Newham Recorder by former Councillor John Saunders who served under the Committee and Executive Mayor Council and now supports Newham Voting for Change:Under the committee system, the council leader would have to re…Read more…
“With a huge sense of relief I have just resigned as Chair of West Ham CLP”
Hat tip Josephine Grail
“The exhausting experience of chairing a set of increasingly hostile meetings has taken a personal toll.
Last night’s AGM gave me no sense that there is a majority on the general committee who are interested in a collective e…Read more…
ATN Sky 827 Bangla interview on Newham Trigger
A fascinating evening spent talking Mayoral trigger ballots and Newham politics on Sky channel 827. I wish other community media were as interested in local politics as ATN Bangla.
Myself, Cllr John Whitworth, Cllr Julianne Marriott, Cllr Anam Islam a…Read more…
Plea for mayoral “open selection”
A well argued letter in the Newham Recorder by respected and long standing West Ham CLP Treasurer and former Councillor John Saunders. Read more…
Sunday Night Live “21st Century NHS – a state of perpetual upheaval and crisis. Where now for the health service?”
Pictures from last weekends “Sunday Night Live” at Stratford Picture House, E15. The debate was about the crisis in the NHS.
West Hammer Neil Wilson chaired. There was two guest speakers, Nigel Keohane, from the Social Market Foundation and Jos …Read more…
The West Ham 3 Johns at work – Punk John, Chic John and ? John
Busy Saturday. First, was Councillor Surgery at Brasset Point Tenants & Residents Room (had a tricky planning “Stop Notice” issue); then memorial tribute to PC Nina MacKay followed by ward “walkabout” in Dirleton Road E15 with concerned residents (…Read more…
West Ham Corbynistas Fashion Gurus
This brilliant photo was today featured in The Guardian’s fashion page “Get the Jeremy Corbyn look”. My fellow West Ham ward Councillor, John Whitworth, (left) is shown standing next to former Newham Councillor (and Labour Party activist) John Sa…Read more…
Voting Systems: Newham Compass debate 1 July 2015
A topical subject again after May 7. I suspect that those of us who support a change in “first past the post” missed the boat during the AV referendum and we are now stuck with the current system for at least the next 5 years.
Yet it is important that…Read more…