UNISON NDC 2026 - Reflections (Day Three)

 

Day three started with some early HIIT training to wake me up, followed by an NEC pre-meeting and then breakfast with my Community colleague Denise.

Conference (NDC) began at 9:30am, and thankfully the rudeness and disrespect previously shown towards our lay elected volunteers on the Conference Standing Orders Committee was far more limited today.

Throughout the day, debates were generally more thoughtful and more respectful, even on potentially controversial issues such as Palestine. Many UNISON delegates from London made excellent contributions.

At lunchtime, I attended the fringe meeting on the Employment Rights Act — quite simply the most important victory for UNISON in my entire trade union membership of over 30 years. A huge well done to everyone who played their part in achieving this.

Of course, we want more. The law is still imbalanced in favour of employers. But, for once, can we please give ourselves a collective pat on the back? This is what the Labour Movement family — unions and the Labour Party working together — can deliver: meaningful, positive, and radical change for working-class people.

I remain firmly convinced that the Housing Association and Voluntary Sector should be the next to secure a Fair Pay Agreement. Denise and I will be fighting tooth and nail to make this happen.

In the afternoon, we moved on to rule change debates. Once again, I was pleased to see further respectful but sharp discussion on issues such as reviewing subscription rates and whether LGBT+ members should have NEC seats in the same way as other Self-Organised Groups.

In the evening, I had to write a speech for tomorrow and deal with various branch and other matters. As much as I enjoy conference, I am looking forward to it closing at 4pm tomorrow. However, we then move straight on to the very important NEC Presidential Team elections — watch this space.

UNISON NDC 2026 - Reflections (Day Two)

 

Early Morning Run and NEC Conference Reflections – Brighton

It was an early start this morning with a run—well, more of a slow jog—along Brighton seafront. There’s something grounding about getting out before the day properly begins, especially ahead of a full conference schedule.

After a quick turnaround—shower, breakfast, and coffee—it was straight into the NEC pre-conference meeting. Overall, it went reasonably well. 

Next NDC. the debates were largely positive, with a number of thoughtful contributions. We also heard speeches from the new UNISON General Secretary, Andrea Egan, as well as from the General Secretary of the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions. Both were significant contributions and set the tone for the day.

That said, I do think there are some important strategic questions we need to reflect on. In particular, I’m not convinced that there is a full appreciation of the political threat posed by Reform/Restore. Alongside that, I’m concerned that simply attacking Labour—particularly using language that labels them broadly as racist—is not a strategy that will help us achieve what we need.

If our objective is to influence Labour policy so that it aligns more closely with UNISON’s priorities, then we need to think carefully about how we do that effectively. Constructive pressure, engagement, and clarity of purpose are essential. We should always be robust in challenging where necessary, but we also need to ensure that our approach creates space for change rather than closing it down.

At lunchtime, I spent some time handing out flyers outside the conference hall for the UNISON Labour Link Social. It was a good opportunity to speak to delegates and raise awareness of the event.

The Social itself went well. With local Labour MPs attending a by-election in Manchester, we didn’t have the usual panel discussion and debate, which was a bit of a shame. However, the event still provided a valuable chance to catch up with comrades from across the union. Sometimes those informal conversations are just as important—if not more so—than the formal sessions when it comes to building relationships and shaping thinking.

All in all, a busy but worthwhile day: a mix of debate, reflection, and reconnecting with colleagues from across the movement.

Apparently there is some sort of football game going on this evening? as Welsh/Scots I have no idea but wish all UK national teams well :-) 

UNISON NDC 2026 - Reflections (Day One)

For the first time in many years, I arrived late to the start of UNISON National Delegate Conference due to other urgent matters. I am attending conference in my capacity as an elected member of the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC) for Community, representing members working in Housing Associations and the voluntary/charity sector.

Despite my late arrival, it was clear that there had been a number of strong and constructive debates on the conference floor. A range of views were expressed in what I would describe as a positive, comradely manner. In my view, this was particularly encouraging, as there is not enough space for appropriate and constructive critical debate on motions. Unfortunately, I missed some of the more controversial items due to my late arrival.

Following the close of conference, I met with members of my branch delegation—where I also serve as Branch Secretary—to deal with some important admin matters.

I then attended a fringe meeting on Responding to Reform and the Populist Right. This featured several strong contributions, including from Nick Lowles of Hope Not Hate. While the discussion recognised the very real challenges posed by the rise of Reform and other far-right elements (including more extreme groups such as Restore), it was not entirely pessimistic. There were some important positive points highlighted, particularly that the overwhelming majority of voters rejected Reform in the recent local elections, despite the party achieving some high-profile results.

A key theme from the discussion was that our response should not be to simply demonise Reform or its supporters. Instead, we should focus on clearly exposing the reality of their policy platform—namely that it would undermine core public goods and protections such as a free NHS, decent public pensions, and essential employment rights.

During the Q&A, I made the point that while I agreed with much of the optimism expressed, there is a real danger that our movement could “sleepwalk” into allowing a Reform government in the future. The current political dynamics remind me strongly of what occurred in the United States, where dissatisfaction with the Democrats for not being “perfect” contributed to the election of Donald Trump—twice. That experience underlines the risks of complacency and fragmentation on the progressive side of politics.

Conference resumes tomorrow, with the NEC pre-meeting at 8:30am and conference business recommencing for delegates at 9:30am.

West Ham Ward Panel AGM & Meeting 4.6.26

Yesterday evening myself and my Labour & Co‑op Councillor colleague Adjoa Kwarteng with Green Councillor Ibrahim Alom attended the meeting of the West Ham Ward Panel, alongside local residents and four officers from our Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

The session opened with the panel’s AGM, where residents re‑elected the Chair and confirmed all existing panel members for another year. Only residents can stand or vote, which keeps the panel firmly rooted in the community it represents.

The main discussion focused on crime and anti‑social behaviour across the ward. Residents raised a number of concerns, and councillors and the SNT were able to agree several areas of joint action — including issues on Council estate land and properties managed by local housing associations. We also received helpful guidance on what can be done to address a safety hazard at the Portway entrance to West Ham Park.

A recurring theme from residents and Councillors was the impact of a local betting shop which appears to attract ASB to the surrounding area. This will be followed up as part of the wider partnership work.

Councillors also asked for closer links with the West Ham Volunteer Police Cadets, and for details of plans for the annual PC Nina Mackay memorial event later this year, as well as the Remembrance Sunday service at All Saints Church. It would be excellent to see the cadets and local schools involved in these important community moments.

Overall, it was a constructive meeting with strong resident leadership and a clear shared commitment to improving safety and wellbeing across West Ham.

Tribute to Councillor who built trust

 A touching tribute from a resident to former Labour Stratford Councillor Sabia Kamali, who unfortunately lost her seat in last month’s elections. She was one of the most talented and dedicated Councillors I’ve ever met. I’m confident this is just a temporary setback and that she’ll be back serving her community before long.

https://newhamvoices.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Newham-Voices-June-2026.pdf

Thank you dinner for Labour activists

 

A great snapshot from last week’s dinner for Labour activists in Newham, held after May’s election. It was a lovely meal with constructive feedback on the campaign. 

Many thanks to the candidates for organising such a well-supported event. 

Everyone had the chance to speak, and as Statutory Deputy Mayor, I spoke last, making it clear that while we won the Mayoral contest in Newham and Labour remains the largest political group, excellent Labour candidates unfortunately weren’t elected due to circumstances beyond their control—but we’ll be back for the next Newham Council elections in 2030, and we will win.

"What has a Labour Government ever done for us?...Employment rights reforms"

🌙 Rough Sleeper Count: A Midnight Snapshot of Life on Our Streets

 

Last Thursday evening, just before midnight, our Newham Council teams gathered once again for the latest bi‑monthly count of people sleeping rough across the borough. From midnight until 3am, staff and volunteers fanned out across known locations, not only to record numbers but to engage with people where possible.

Some colleagues (not pictured) were already stationed at key “hot spots” to speak with individuals, understand their situations, and offer support. The emphasis in these areas was not just on a head count—important as that is for understanding the scale of the issue—but on meaningful contact.

I paired up with a Council colleague to visit an area where we know rough sleeping is more prevalent. Even when you’ve done this work for years, it remains a sobering experience. Seeing vulnerable people trying to rest in noisy, exposed, polluted, and sometimes dangerous surroundings is a stark reminder of the realities many face every night.

And yet, amid the hardship, there were glimmers of hope. As we walked, my colleague shared stories of long‑term rough sleepers who, through persistent outreach and support, have moved into permanent accommodation. Those successes matter. They show what is possible when services are properly resourced, when trust is built over time, and when people are met with compassion rather than judgement.

The count is never easy, but it is necessary. It grounds us in the truth of what’s happening on our streets—and it strengthens our resolve to keep pushing for the support, housing, and long‑term solutions people deserve.

Newham Council Annual General Meeting 2026

 

A belated report on the AGM last week in the beautiful main hall of East Ham (also referred to as Newham but disputed by West Ham) Town Hall. 

We are not in my view really into "pomp and circumstance" in Newham but this is the formal Annual General meeting of the Council and I freely admit to liking appropriate local historic traditions but this meeting is also very political. 

While many do not understand that we have in Newham, a directly elected Executive Mayor, with very strong powers (I would prefer a different governance model but that boat has sailed), the AGM does elect important constitutional posts such as the Chairs of Council and of other important committees. 

The election of these important positions was disrupted by some simply bizarre and aggressive interventions by the so called "Newham Independent Group" who stormed off in the middle of the meeting because they I think they did not understand what was going on. 

In the election on May 7th, the Labour Candidate for Executive Mayor, Forhad Hussain, won convincingly and will the be Executive Mayor for the next 4 years. 

Labour is the single largest party but we did not win a majority of seats on this occasion (next time will be different). The Independents came next then the Greens. Council officers had made a recommendation to all the Groups about sharing Chairs of Council committees according to the number of seats each Group they held. 

While I would of course rather the Labour Councillors elect all Chairs that was not going to happen . I will not comment on all the discussions that went on but it is crystal clear that the independents were wheeling and dealing and for them to suggest otherwise is just hypocritical and rather silly. 

Labour and Green members voted largely to adopt the original Council officers recommendations about a fairish allocation of positions while it was clear to me that the independents did not understand that they had been given some of the most important positions in the Council outside the Executive but they still were against? 

I pointed out to them during the debate that Mayor Forhad Hussain had "put the hand of friendship out to the Independent group and to the Greens”.

However, the fact of the matter is that the Independent group did not wish to work with the mayor for the betterment of Newham and our residents.” https://www.newhamcitizen.co.uk/newham-independents-green-labour-council-roles/

Apart from this daftness the meeting ran smoothly and it was good to meet up with many comrades and guests. 

Our rights at work are under attack - Help us Stop the Steal Tuesday 2 June | 2:00 - 3:00

 

Trade union rights and renters’ rights are under attack.

Join the TUC and guest speakers for a webinar on the #StopTheSteal campaign and how union reps can help defend hard-won protections at work and at home. We’ll discuss what proposed attacks on employment and housing rights could mean in practice, how reps can organise effective conversations in workplaces and communities, and why solidarity between workers and renters matters more than ever. You’ll hear about Stop the Steal’s day of action on 11th June, with workers across the UK putting up Stop the Steal posters on their noticeboards at work or at home. This helps to raise awareness about the threat of the Great Repeal Bill. This session is for anyone who wants to help build collective resistance to insecure work, low rights, and unfair housing. We want everyone attending TUC events to have a safe and enjoyable experience. If you require any adjustments or assistance to participate at this event, please let us know at TUCEducation@tuc.org.uk Live captions will be available during the webinar.

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3517768511757/WN_TJtJfWltSDmlU1rMQqhmTg?mc_cid=5ca57508be&mc_eid=3ad1a32733#/registration