Love E15 Community Litter Pick

 

This morning, my West Ham Councillor colleague John Whitworth and local resident (and West Ham candidate) Adjoa Kwarteng joined residents for a ward litter pick, organised by https://www.instagram.com/lovelondone15/. "Love E15 is a grassroots community group of residents who care about E15 and aim to create a happy, thriving neighbourhood".

We met outside the beautiful Parakeets mural on Bull Road, where we were given litter pickers, gloves, and bin bags. There was a great mix of local residents, including plenty of enthusiastic young people. The Council supported the event by providing equipment and arranging to collect the litter bags at the end. Former Newham Councillor Julianne Marriott was also there pitching in.

I spent most of my time clearing an alleyway behind a block of shops with Council flats above, while Adjoa picked litter with the volunteers in the surrounding residential streets. The top two photos in the collage show "before and after". I’ll be raising a member’s enquiry to find out who is responsible for cleaning this area, as there was more bulk rubbish dumped that needs removing.

It was a fantastic example of residents and the Council working together for the common good. Afterwards, I had breakfast with John at the Plaistow Café, then cycled off to join a political campaign in Plaistow which Adjoa also joined.

"We've recently had a jampacked Action Day of canvassing here in West Ham! Vote Labour on May 7th! 🌹🌹"

It was a fantastic Super Saturday with three canvassing sessions and over 35 activists in West Ham ward. Huge thanks to our organisers for their support. Although there was one particularly unpleasant incident involving a non-resident, which I reported to the police, the day overall was very positive, with plenty of casework and many local residents (though not all) happy to chat about real local issues, concerns, and possible solutions.

Eid Mubarak

 

This is the difference a Labour Government Makes - Abolishes 2 Child Benefit Cap

 

UNISON Greater London Housing Associations Branch AGM - Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 6pm

 

💜 UNISON’s Step into Spring Grant

 

UNISON’s Step into Spring grant opens at 12 noon on Thursday 19 March 2026 and is available for 24 hours. Eligible members can get a £30 voucher towards the cost of essentials. Find out how to apply http://unsn.uk/stepintospring

Interfaith Iftar at Minhaj Ul Quran Mosque: A Special Evening in Forest Gate

Last Friday week I had the real pleasure of attending an Interfaith Iftar at the Minhaj Ul Quran Mosque on Romford Road, Forest Gate, kindly invited by my colleague Cllr Alam.

It’s a mosque I’ve visited before — most memorably for the remarkable exhibition Far From the Western Front: South Asian Stories of the First World War. That exhibition explored the experiences of South Asian troops who served with extraordinary courage and sacrifice. It is no exaggeration to say that without their contribution, the outcome of the First World War — and arguably the Second — could have been very different. https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2017/04/far-from-western-front-south-asian.html

Friday’s Iftar carried that same sense of shared history, solidarity, and community into the present moment.

Newham Labour’s Mayoral Candidate, Forhad Hussain, was also invited and spoke at the event, alongside Stephen Timms MP, Cllr Alam, and his Forest Gate South Candidate Robert Carter‑Lennox — who had fasted that day for the very first time. Each offered thoughtful reflections on Ramadan as a time of discipline, compassion, and generosity.

What stayed with me most, though, was the atmosphere in the room. Myself and colleagues — some Muslim, some not — sat among worshippers as they broke their fast. People who had been fasting since dawn shared their food and drinks with us. That simple act of hospitality, offered after a long day of abstention, carried a profound sense of warmth and welcome.

It was, in every sense, a very special occasion — a reminder of the strength of Newham’s interfaith bonds, and of how much we gain when we sit together, learn from one another, and share moments of reflection and celebration.

UNISON wins 3.8% pay rise for Clarion Housing Group members

Hat tip @unisonclarion "Members accepted last week in a ballot supported by 88% a 3.8% pay rise from April negotiated by @unisontheunion @Clarion_Group local reps with help from regional and national officers. 

#Teamunison @UnisonHAB 

#joinunison for better pay, terms & conditions!

West Ham & Stratford Neighbourhood Forum 3 March 2026

 

Last week I attended our local Neighbourhood Forum at Stratford Library with my West Ham Councillor colleague, John Whitworth, and fellow Labour candidate for the May 7 elections, Adjoa Kwarteng. 

The forum gave local Police and Council officers a chance to update residents on what’s happening in our area, followed by round table discussions where residents could ask questions and challenge how issues are being addressed. 

It was a well-attended meeting, and I moved between tables hearing concerns about crime, anti-social behaviour, highways, garden waste, street cleaning, street lighting, vermin infestations, and poor housing management. 

I felt it went really well, and John, Adjoa, and I will do everything we can to ensure the commitments made by Newham officers and the Police are kept. I’ll also look into inviting more local service providers, such as housing associations and the NHS, to future meetings.

UNISON Community (Housing Associations & Charities) Seminar & Conference 2026 - Day two

 

Sorry this is a little late post but been just a little super busy with stuff lately. Day 2 of the event is our motion based annual community conference in Solihull for UNISON members who work for Housing Associations and Charities. 

You can check out more about the conference, motions and agenda here https://www.unison.org.uk/events/2026-community-conference/.

I was pleased that a number of my branch delegates and London colleagues spoke on motions (including my fellow NEC Community member Denise). 

I moved one motion  and also an amendment on behalf of the Service Group Executive. I will post links to these speeches. 

The hotel and conference centre staff looked after us very well during our stay as well as all the UNISON officers. Many thanks