Council Surgery in Canning Town Library & West Ham walkabout

Canning Town Library – Covering Cllr Mohammed’s Surgery

Today I returned to Canning Town Library to cover the Councillor surgery of my colleague Cllr Shaban Mohammed, who had kindly covered my West Ham Ward surgery recently.

The session was scheduled for 10–11am but continued well past midday due to the number of residents seeking help.

Issues raised included:

• Housing disrepair

• Overcrowding

• Allocation bids

• Crime and ASB

• Litter

• Highway and parking concerns

• Immigration matters (referred to James Asser MP)

Some residents had hoped to follow up on cases previously raised with Cllr Mohammed, but were very happy to discuss them with me. I was struck by how many households were dealing with multiple housing problems while also caring for children with disabilities, making already difficult situations significantly harder.

I will pass existing cases back to Cllr Mohammed and raise new Member Enquiries on his behalf for the fresh issues brought today.

West Ham Ward – Estate Walkabout

After the surgery I joined (very late!) my West Ham ward colleague Cllr Adjoa Kwarteng to meet residents for an estate walkabout focused on serious ASB and parking issues.

Along the route I also identified:

• Overflowing bins in green spaces

• Abandoned vehicles

• Dangerous parking blocking emergency access routes

We will both be raising further Member Enquiries to ensure these matters are followed up.

Local Heritage

On my way I also passed the plaque honouring Jack Leslie, the Canning Town‑born footballer who became the first Black player selected for England — a reminder of the borough’s proud history.

Breakfast with Monty

 

This morning I met my retired UNISON Housing colleague, Montrose Matty, for breakfast at a local Toby buffet. Naturally, we stuck to just coffee and some healthy veggies.....

Meeting up with Cousin Ian

 

Tonight I met up with my first cousin Ian and his wonderful wife Julia Ann for the very first time. He chose a cosy family Italian restaurant in Waterloo, London

Ian is the son of my late maternal uncle, Robert James (Jim) Matthews, and for various reasons our paths had never crossed until now. Yet from the moment we sat down, it felt less like an introduction and more like a reunion that had simply taken its time.

In September, Ian and Julia Ann will be visiting North Wales, and other members of the family are already organising a meal in Denbigh to welcome them properly into the large Matthews clan. It will be a chance for everyone to meet him, and strengthen all the family ties that have been stretched across years and geography but never truly faded. I hope to be there as well.

Tonight was the beginning of something long overdue.

Cliffe Pools - North Kent Walk

 

Sharing a picture from a wonderful recent walk around the Kent Thames Estuary. Just about 50-ish minutes by car from East London, it was so quiet and peaceful. The following day, we went in search of Pip and Magwitch.

The "King of the North" speaks to UNISON Labour Link Forum

Reflections from Labour Link Forum – A Week That Felt Like a Turning Point

Just over a week ago, UNISON Labour Link delegates gathered in Manchester for our annual Forum — and we were privileged to welcome the man many call the King of the North, Andy Burnham MP. When he walked into the hall, the reaction was extraordinary: a genuine, spontaneous standing ovation that seemed to take him by surprise. You could see he was moved by it.

In his speech, he spoke with warmth, wit, and a deep sense of partnership. He reminded us that years ago UNISON trusted him at a crucial moment, giving him an early nomination that helped launch his parliamentary career. He told us he sees us not as stakeholders to be consulted after decisions are made, but as partners in shaping the future. It was a message that resonated strongly in the room.

He spoke with real passion about the challenges ahead — social care, fairness, political culture — and the need for a government that rebuilds trust and delivers meaningful change. His tone was collegiate, hopeful, and grounded in the realities facing working people.

While he was our headline speaker, the Forum was rich with contributions from others: Secretary of State Lisa Nandy MP, USDAW General Secretary Joanne Thomas, and many thoughtful interventions from delegates across the regions.

I attended a particularly insightful workshop led by Labour MP Gareth Snell on the rise of the far right. My own contribution was to again press the case for socio‑economic class to finally be recognised as a protected characteristic in UK equality law — a reform promised in 2010 but shamefully vetoed by the incoming Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition.

Gareth acknowledged the stark inequalities highlighted in recent reporting, including the evidence that white working‑class children are being failed by the education system (BBC News, 2024). The discussion was serious, grounded, and focused on how Labour can confront these injustices with honesty and courage.

I was there as a UNISON Labour Link National Committee member, elected by out NEC. What I took away from Forum was a renewed sense of hope — not naïve optimism, but a belief that meaningful change is possible when unions, Labour representatives, and communities work together with clarity and purpose.

In a political moment where the country is clearly hungry for something better, the Forum felt like a reminder of what partnership, solidarity, and democratic accountability can achieve. I left Manchester with optimism — and with a sense that the work we do in UNISON Labour Link genuinely matters for the future of our country.

📢🌹 UNISON has endorsed Andy Burnham to become the next leader of the Labour Party.

 I (and many others) spoke in support of Andy at today’s meeting, where we unanimously endorsed him as Leader.

"The Labour Link Committee has selected its preferred successor to Keir Starmer, with UNISON – the UK’s largest trade union – backing Andy Burnham to lead the Labour Party.

The decision was made by the Labour Link Committee, comprising UNISON representatives from across the country who are also Labour Party members.

Committee Chair Linda Hobson said that Andy is best placed to deliver on the promise of change for the UK, praising his strength, integrity and commitment to public services and the workers who provide them.

Linda also paid tribute to Keir Starmer for his leadership, which helped secure a historic Labour victory and delivered important improvements for working people, including the Employment Rights Act, stronger protections for renters, and measures aimed at lifting thousands of children out of poverty".

https://unison.org.uk/press/2026/07/unison-backs-andy-burnham-labour-leader

UNISON National Labour Link Forum pre meet & Campaigning for Bev In Manchester

The UNISON National Labour Link Forum this year was in Manchester. An interesting place to be politically at any time, but especially at this moment.

I took the train on Wednesday evening after helping to chair LAPFF meetings and arrived late. On Thursday morning, I started the day with a run (or, more accurately, a short, slow jog) around the Cheetham area. It was mostly industrial and a far cry from the shiny new Manchester city-centre office blocks and high-rise apartments nearby. One notable exception was the Manchester Jewish Museum, which I must make time to visit.

In the morning, I attended a meeting of the UNISON National Labour Link Committee, as an elected NEC member. We discussed the usual pre-Forum issues, including speakers, motions and the agenda.

Afterwards, many of us caught a bus to campaign for Manchester Labour mayoral candidate Bev Craig, who is standing to replace a certain Andy Burnham. We met local organisers, including former Newham organiser Jack Risbridger, before splitting into three groups and door-knocking in the traditional streets of Cheetham.

The response was good and, in many ways, it reminded me of canvassing in Newham. There was the occasional ear-bashing about litter, over-zealous parking enforcement and anti-social behaviour, but that comes with the territory. There was no negativity towards Bev, which was encouraging, but I know we cannot take anything for granted.

In the evening, we had a reception at the hotel, where Bev was the keynote speaker. I knew little about her beforehand but came away very impressed. She was articulate, no-nonsense and obviously highly competent, with the added benefit of being a former UNISON activist and officer. She spoke passionately about what she wants to achieve as Labour Mayor of Manchester and proudly referenced her working-class background – something that always rings my bell.

We spoke afterwards about her campaign and how the union, along with the wider Labour Party, can help secure her victory.

The Forum itself began at 9.00 am the following day (I had thought it started at 9.15 am, but never mind). I will post about that later, including the appearance of a "surprise" keynote speaker.

Celebrating the Life of Gilbert Constantine Clarke - RAF World War 2 Veteran/Windrush Pioneer/Musician/Community Elder

 

On Saturday morning I attended the funeral service for Mr Clarke in the main chamber of East Ham Town Hall. The chamber was full to the doors — a testament to the love, respect and gratitude felt for a man whose generation helped save Britain from defeat in the Second World War.

The RAF did him proud. Air Commodore Alun Roberts delivered a formal Military Tribute, supported by a bearer party of RAF Regiment airmen who carried themselves with impeccable discipline and respect. The service itself was beautifully organised by Mr Clarke’s family and friends, alongside RAFA, BWIRHT, the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, the Caribbean Social Forum and the RAF Benevolent Fund. Their collective effort created a ceremony worthy of his life and legacy. The Rev Dr Michael King conducted the service with grace and solemnity.

I attended as the representative of the Newham Mayor, Forhad Hussain, and was seated next to the Jamaican High Commissioner, H.E. Alexander Williams — a reminder of the deep Commonwealth ties that shaped the wartime generation. Men and women from across what is now the Commonwealth travelled thousands of miles to defend Britain from Nazi tyranny. Mr Clarke stood among those heroes.

It was an honour to honour him. His generation — steadfast, courageous, and united across continents — helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today. We must never forget their sacrifice.

Shoeburyness to Westcliff – Essex Coastal Walk

 

Last Sunday, Gill and I took the trains from Forest Gate out to Shoeburyness for another stretch of the Essex Coast. After the relative freshness of the previous weekend’s walk, we thought the sea breeze might offer a cooler alternative to an inland route. It turned out to be a perfect choice.

The King Charles III England Coastal Path is now the longest coastal trail in the UK — a national route that winds around the entire English coastline. We’ve been toying with the idea of completing it in stages over the coming years. Whether we’ll ever manage the whole thing is another matter; there are so many brilliant paths across the UK (and beyond) competing for attention. But who knows.

Shoeburyness itself was full of surprises. I hadn’t realised it had been home to a major Army base for many decades, specialising not only in the coastal defence of the Thames and London but also in gunnery and weapons testing. As we followed the coastal path, the military history was everywhere: former forts, barracks, memorials, bunkers, gun emplacements — each one a reminder of how strategically important this stretch of coast once was.

The walk towards Southend‑on‑Sea was glorious. Big Essex skies, bright weather, and that wide estuary light that always feels a little cinematic. By the time we reached the Pier, the day had settled into that perfect mix of warmth and sea breeze.

One great advantage of a coastal walk is that it’s harder to get lost — just keep the sea on your left  — and with excellent local rail links you can easily do a linear walk and decide your finishing point as you go.

Lunch was at 140 Eastern Esplanade Café, found via Google Maps — highly recommended for good food and very Essex. 

We carried on as far as Westcliff, roughly six miles in total, before deciding to head home. The return was easy: c2c to Barking, then the Overground to Wanstead Park. With a railcard, it’s incredibly cheap, and if we’d booked a return a few days in advance it would have been even cheaper — around a third off.

Another great coastal section completed, and a lovely day out. Plenty more of the Essex coast still to explore.

Clarification regarding the UNISON General Secretary statements regarding the Labour Party by UNISON Labour Link

 Dear National Labour Link Committee and Regional Labour Link Committees, 

 

Some of you will have seen the article in the press and communications from the General Secretary Andrea Egan regarding an endorsement of Ed Miliband to be Chancellor of the Exchequer.

 

The General Secretary made this statement in her personal capacity. Any Labour Party endorsements should be and remain the decision of the Labour Link Committee. In this case, there is also no process for unions to be involved in the nomination or endorsement of members of the Cabinet. 

 

To this effect, UNISON’s press team is clarifying to journalists that the General Secretary’s comments have been made in a personal capacity and are not an endorsement on behalf of UNISON....

 

Best wishes,

 

Linda Hobson and Tess Morris

Chair and Vice-Chair of the National Labour Link Committee

As an elected member of the UNISON Labour Link London Regional Committee — and its Chair — as well as a National Labour Link NEC representative, I fully support the statement issued by Linda Hobson and Tess Morris.

The General Secretary is, of course, entitled to express a personal opinion. But she does not speak for UNISON on matters of Labour Party endorsement. Under long‑established practice and our UNISON Rule Book, these decisions rest solely with the Labour Link Committee, whose members are democratically elected for precisely this purpose.

Any endorsement must follow proper consultation and a transparent, democratic process — not the personal view of any UNISON official. Departing from that principle undermines our structures and risks making UNISON look frankly silly at a time when clarity and discipline are essential.