(The Labour Party has announced that former Newham Councillor (and Cabinet member) Forhad Hussain has been selected as the Labour Candidate for the May 2026 mayoral election). Read more…
Newham Council AGM 2025
Last Thursday evening was the Newham Council AGM, which was held this year in the new Shipman Youth Zone.In this picture taken at the end of the meeting I am with the Chair of Council (our civic major), Cllr Dr Rohit Das Gupta, our local MPs James Asse…Read more…
1st Labour Canvass in Forest Gate North 2025
This morning I joined Labour colleagues for my first canvass of 2025. It was led by local Councillor Rachel Tripp and we were joined by local activists and later by Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz. I live near by and know this area fairly well. …Read more…
Launch of Campaign by James Asser to be the Labour MP of West Ham & Beckton
Great picture from today’s launch in Beckton, Newham and apologies for last minutes changes to venue. We also had with us Stephen Timms (standing again for East Ham), new candidate, Uma Kumaran (who had a fantastic launch in Stratford earlier), f…Read more…
“Education stalwart remembered as Mayor of Newham leads tributes to former councillor Graham Lane”
I did not know Graham that well. He stood down as a Councillor in 2010 the same year that I first stood. However, I did go to various political events and campaigns (see posts) with him and found him polite, thoughtful and well informed.&nbs…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…
Labour Local Government Association Conference 2024: Day 2
Picture collage from yesterday evening and day 2 of the Conference held in Warwick. Labour is now the largest political party in UK local government. There was a number of workshops, formal speeches and panel debates. It was informative and …Read more…
West Ham Ward Christmas Campaign: Sadiq Khan for London Labour Mayor in 2024
This morning I went to my Councillor advice surgery for local residents, then this afternoon I joined colleagues in the ward to deliver leaflets (Labour doorstep was down) for Sadiq Khan, to be re-elected as London Mayor in May 2024. We were…Read more…
Eve of Poll Canvass: Plaistow North By election
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…
Out and about for Labour in Boleyn
This morning after my West Ham ward Councillor surgery, I cycled over and joined Labour colleagues in Boleyn ward to deliver Direct messages to local residents. I missed the local MP, Sir Stephen Timms who had been with teams earlier but did join…Read more…
Newham Council Annual General Meeting 2023
Yesterday evening was the Formal Annual General Meeting of the London Borough of Newham Council in the Old Town Hall in Stratford. It is the nearest we usually get to “pomp and ceremony” in Newham Council meetings. On the way in we were lobbied ef…Read more…
Emergency Fundraising Dinner for Turkiye & Syria – Sisters Forum
This evening I went to support a fundraising dinner being held for disaster relief of victims of the recent deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria. I think all of us have been pretty shocked by the media footage of the death and devastation caused…Read more…
East London & the Olympics 10 years on – where next? Unmesh Desai AM
Yesterday evening there was a reception at London City Hall (Newham!) hosted by East London & City Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai. The theme was about the Olympics 2012 legacy. There was a number of interesting speakers and it was good to meet…Read more…
Solidarity With Striking UNISON London Ambulance Service Workers
This afternoon I joined the UNISON LAS picket outside Newham Dockside Building, which is owned and used by the Council for its services but parts of the building are leased to London Ambulance Service (LAS) as its control centre for North London. …Read more…
“Newham Voices” Support meeting 17.12.22
Yesterday I went to Stratford Library to attend this meeting, celebrating 2 years of “Newham Voices” but also a call to arms for local residents, organisations and businesses to get involved and support it for the next 2 years and beyond. I missed…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…
“It is an honour to be elected to serve you” – West Ham ward thank you leaflets May 2022
Tomorrow we will start delivering these “thank you” leaflets to West Ham Ward residents after the recent local election.
It is a definite honour to be elected to serve our residents – and in the next 4 years we need to earn this trust. Read more…
Keir Starmer visits Newham NHS Professionals
“Today we didn’t get the reassurance and hope we needed from the Prime Minister.”Read more…
Remembering Sarah Chapman – Matchgirls strike leader
Picture of Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz and myself placing flowers at the grave of Matchgirls strike leader, Sarah Chapman.
Today family members and supporters were asked to place ‘A Flower for Sarah” either on her grave itself or “virtually” on social…Read more…
Tribute to Vera Lynn (1917-2020)
“Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz has today offered condolences of behalf of the residents of Newham to the family and friends of forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn who died today at the age of 103.Mayor Fiaz said: “Dame Vera was the girl next door who galvanised the…Read more…