Labour Party Conference 2026 - Day 4 Wednesday

The final day of Conference started at 9.30am, so there was no opportunity for a run along the Mersey. Instead, it was the usual routine of in-room exercises, packing, breakfast, checking out of the hotel, dropping off luggage, and then rushing to get to Conference in time for the start of proceedings.

There were more excellent debates and contributions from delegates throughout the morning. It was also great to see Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the close of Conference, while we all joined together to sing, rather badly in my case, The Red Flag by Jim Connell and the wonderful Jerusalem, based on the words of William Blake.

There is usually a good-natured debate about which song better captures Labour's values: Blake's vision of building a better society through hope, endeavour and national renewal, or Connell's explicitly socialist anthem celebrating solidarity and collective struggle. Personally, I enjoy both and don't see the need to choose between them in this day and age.

After Conference closed, I walked to Lime Street Station and was fortunate enough to find a seat with a table all the way back to Euston, giving me an opportunity to reflect on what had been a busy but positive few days.

Overall, I thought Conference had a noticeably more positive atmosphere than last year. There were good debates, strong contributions from UNISON Labour Link delegates, and a sense of purpose about the challenges facing the country and the Labour Government. It was an enjoyable and worthwhile Conference, as well as an excellent opportunity to catch up with comrades from across the Labour and trade union movement.

Most importantly, Andy and his team did well. While there will undoubtedly be plenty of arguments and challenges ahead, I left Conference more confident than when I arrived that Labour can govern well and deliver the change that people need.

Labour Party Conference 2026 - Day 3 Tuesday

 

Day Three started with another run along the Mersey. As I passed the Liver Building, I found myself looking up at the famous Liver Birds, which I could just about make out from my bedroom in Holywell as a boy on a particularly clear day.

Conference went well again, with a number of UNISON Labour Link delegates speaking in debates on motions and contributing to fringe meetings. However, the key event of the day was undoubtedly the Leader's speech.

Conference business finished early for lunch, but delegates had to return well before 2pm to queue for entry into the hall for the speeches by the Prime Minister and Andy Burnham.

I will leave detailed analysis of the speech to others, but I will simply say that it was probably the best leader's speech I have ever seen at a Labour Party Conference, and I have seen a great many over the years.

There was, understandably, a great deal of emotion when he spoke about the recent death of his father. At other times he was passionate, determined and angry about "the state we are in", while also offering a sense of hope that things can, and will, get better.

He has picked a number of fights with vested interests and, in each case, I find myself firmly on his side. Whether one agrees with every detail or not, it was a speech that demonstrated both political courage and conviction. I believe he can deliver on his ambitions, but it is going to be seriously difficult.

In the evening I attended the UNISON Labour Link reception, where there were a number of excellent speakers, including our very own, Angela Rayner MP and Joe Fortune, Labour's General Secretary.

Another memorable day at Conference.

Labour Party Conference 2026 - Day 2 Monday

 

Day Two of Conference started early with a 34-minute run along the Mersey and back. The weather was glorious, with blue skies and sunshine, a welcome contrast to the previous day's soaking.

Conference began at 10am, although we first had an early "huddle" of UNISON Labour Link delegates to agree the late-night decisions on compositing motions and discuss other pressing Conference business.

Once again, Conference appeared to go well. During the lunch break, I joined other Labour Link delegates in supporting a rally on migrant workers' rights. It was encouraging to see strong support for the contribution migrant workers make to our economy, public services and communities.

After the close of business, I met up with Labour Party members from Newham for a drink outside the historic dockers' pub, The Baltic Fleet. I then had to leave for the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum fringe meeting, Are We Ready for Climate Change? Protecting People, Places and Prosperity, held in partnership with the Fabian Society. I will post my speech from the event as a separate page linked to this post later. Many thanks to my fellow panellists and everyone who attended.

Afterwards, I rejoined Newham Labour members for a meal at a Turkish restaurant in Liverpool. I think this is now the third Conference in a row that we've visited it, which perhaps makes it something of a tradition.

Another good day at Conference. The formal debates, fringe meetings and informal conversations all reminded me that Conference is as much about relationships and shared purpose as it is about resolutions and speeches.

Labour Party Conference 2026 - Day 1 Sunday

 

Apologies for the belated posting.

The first full day of conference began for me at 9am with an in-person UNISON Labour Link delegation meeting. At this meeting we agreed our speakers, discussed our positions on motions, and dealt with a range of housekeeping issues. UNISON has one of the largest delegations at Conference, so these meetings are an important part of ensuring that our contribution is coordinated and effective.

Conference itself started at 11am. We were seated as a delegation on the far left of the conference floor facing the podium (no pun intended!).

As is customary, there was a report from the Conference Arrangements Committee, along with a number of reference back requests from delegates who were unhappy with how their motions had been dealt with. Compared with previous conferences, however, proceedings seemed to be relatively straightforward and attracted far less controversy than I have seen in the past.

Labour Party Conference remains, in my view, even more complicated and bewildering than a UNISON conference, and many first-time delegates to UNISON find those challenging enough. Nevertheless, there was a good mix of party business, government and party leadership speeches, and floor debates. Overall, the day appeared to run smoothly. Unlike a trade union conference, Labour Conference combines party democracy, government business, policy development and internal party procedure, making it a unique and sometimes bewildering experience for delegates

What struck me most was the atmosphere. There was definitely a more positive feeling around Conference than there was last year. While there will always be disagreements and procedural arguments, there seemed to be a greater sense of confidence and purpose among delegates.

After the close of business, I attended the Labour-affiliated trade union rally with my Newham CWU comrade and cycling champion, Richard. I then had to leave early for a walk along the Mersey to attend a private event with fellow Labour housing leads, getting thoroughly soaked in the process thanks to the Liverpool weather. As someone born and brought up not far away in North East Wales this should have come as no surprise but I had still forgotten to take an umbrella. 

My final event of the day was the Labour Friends of Bangladesh dinner, one of my favourite Conference events. Although I arrived rather late, it was still a pleasure to attend.

All in all, it was a good start to Conference.

On way to Labour Party Conference 2026 & London Regional Reception (Saturday)

Sorry for the late post, but on Saturday afternoon, after my ward surgery, I took the train from home to Liverpool as a UNISON Labour Link delegate for the Greater London Region. 

Along the way, I reported online what seemed to be a stolen Royal Mail van “abandoned” in a nearby car park. The process wasn’t easy, and I plan to follow up with the Police and the GLA. 

In Liverpool, I joined party members, including Newham Executive Mayor Forhad Hussain, and fellow trade unionists at the Labour London Region Reception, chaired by Dawn Butler MP. There were speeches from both London and national figures, including a relaxed and confident appearance by our new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. 

I’m now back from conference and will share more thoughts in the coming days on what was an important, optimistic, and memorable event for our movement.

Working Together for Better Housing in Newham

 

Recently I had the pleasure of welcoming landlords, managing agents, council officers and other guests to Newham's latest Landlord Forum.

As Cabinet Member for Housing and Statutory Deputy Mayor, I was delighted to open the event alongside Councillor Tonii Wilson, Deputy Cabinet Member for Housing.

Housing has been a major part of my working life for many years. Before returning to this role, I worked in social housing as a Tenancy Specialist, dealing with complex issues including anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, safeguarding and tenancy fraud. That experience taught me that housing is never just about buildings. It is about people, communities and the opportunity for individuals and families to live safe and stable lives.

I also have a personal perspective as a Newham leaseholder and through family members and friends who are landlords. I understand that the overwhelming majority of landlords want to do the right thing, provide decent homes, comply with the law and be treated fairly. At the same time, I recognise that housing legislation is changing rapidly and can sometimes be difficult to navigate, particularly for smaller landlords.

The private rented sector faces one of its most significant periods of change in many years. New legislation and evolving regulations bring new responsibilities and higher expectations for everyone involved. While these changes present challenges, they also provide an opportunity to improve standards and strengthen confidence across the sector.

As a Council, our priority is clear: residents must live in safe, secure and well-managed homes. We will continue to take action against rogue landlords who fail to meet their legal responsibilities and put tenants at risk. Good landlords should never be undercut by those who ignore the rules.

However, enforcement alone is not enough.

We want to work constructively with good landlords and managing agents. We want to provide guidance, listen to concerns, share information and maintain an open and honest dialogue. Forums like this are an important part of that approach.

We will not always agree on every issue, and that is perfectly healthy. The relationship between a regulator and the regulated should include challenge and debate. My view is that even when we disagree, we can do so respectfully and professionally. We can agree to differ without being disagreeable.

What unites us is far greater than what divides us. We all want Newham residents to have access to safe, decent and well-managed homes. We all want thriving and stable communities. And we all want a private rented sector that is professional, sustainable and fit for the future.

Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed to the discussion and continues to play a role in housing Newham residents. I look forward to continuing these conversations and working together in the months and years ahead.

#Newham #Housing #PrivateRentedSector #Landlords #Tenants #HousingStandards #WorkingTogether #BuildingAFairerNewham #RentorsRightsAct 

Newham Quarterly update to Cabinet on Housing Services Improvement Programme - 15.9.26

 

This is my speech at the Newham Cabinet meeting on Tuesday afternoon at our Town Hall in East Ham. Check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRsXPuA7L_s 1 hr 3 mins 55 into meeting

"Mayor, Cabinet

I am pleased, with my cabinet colleague, Cllr Wilson, to present this quarterly update on the Housing Services Improvement Programme.

As Members will be aware, this programme was established following the Regulator of Social Housing's C4 judgement in October 2024. Since then, our focus has been clear: 1. to ensure that Newham residents live in safe, homes 2. well-maintained homes and receive 3. reliable, good value resident-focused services.

I am encouraged to report that good progress has been made this quarter. Delivery of both our compliance improvements and the commitments contained within our Voluntary Undertaking which we made early this year to the regulator and is currently assessed as green. We have strengthened governance and assurance arrangements, improved the quality of our housing data, and remain on track to implement a new Asset Management System by March 2027.

However, we must be honest with ourselves. Regulatory compliance is very important, but it is not the outcome residents experience. Residents judge us by whether their home is safe, whether repairs are completed effectively, and whether they feel listened to and respected. That is why the programme is increasingly focused on resident outcomes rather than simply programme activity.

On safety, which remains our first responsibility as a landlord, we continue to make progress in reducing outstanding fire safety remedial actions. Significant programmes of work on fire doors, compartmentation and door stopping are underway and are expected to address the vast majority of legacy fire-risk actions. We have also introduced a new Housing Assurance Framework to strengthen our ability to demonstrate compliance and provide confidence that safety controls are operating effectively.

On maintaining our homes, we are taking a more rigorous and transparent approach to assessing the condition of our housing stock. Properties are now only recorded as meeting the Decent Homes Standard where there is clear evidence to support that conclusion. Where evidence is incomplete, homes are recorded as non-decent until their condition can be verified. This may result in higher reported levels of non-decency in the short term, but it provides a far more honest and accurate picture from which to plan future investment.

We are also strengthening our engagement with residents. Over 10,000 tenancy audits have now been completed, leading to more than 4,000 referrals for support services, repairs and other interventions. Alongside this, estate walkabouts, housing surgeries and estate action days continue to provide valuable opportunities for residents and councillors to engage directly with housing teams.

The latest Tenant Satisfaction Measures remind us that there is still significant work to do. Overall landlord satisfaction stands at 59%, satisfaction with repairs at 64%, satisfaction that the Council listens and acts at 54%, and 68% of tenants feel they are treated fairly and with respect. These figures demonstrate progress in some areas but also frankly still not good enough and highlight the challenge ahead in rebuilding trust and confidence.

In conclusion, while substantial work remains, particularly around resident satisfaction, data quality and service transformation, Newham has made significant progress since the C4 judgement. The programme is now moving from a focus on activity to a focus on outcomes, ensuring that improvements are felt by residents in their daily lives.

I therefore ask Cabinet to note the progress outlined in this report and support the continued delivery of the Housing Services Improvement Programme. To be clear I thank all Newham housing workers who have done so much to get us out of the C4 due to their hard work but we still have much to do, we are not complacent, but we will get there and offer a first class service to residents.

Thank you, Mayor. More than happy to take any questions or comments."

Palestinian Flag Raised at Newham Town Hall

 

On Tuesday, I attended a moving and significant flag-raising ceremony outside Newham Town Hall, marking Newham's solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The event was attended by the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Husam Zomlot (حسام زملط), who was warmly welcomed by Newham's Executive Mayor, Forhad Hussain. Local MP James Asser, co-chair of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, was also present alongside members of the Newham Cabinet, community representatives and local supporters.

Following the formal flag raising, there were speeches reflecting on the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the importance of working towards peace, justice and recognition for the Palestinian people. After the inevitable photos with supporters, councillors and guests, attendees gathered in the Lister Room for a buffet lunch featuring a variety of traditional Palestinian dishes.

For many present, this was an emotional and proud occasion. The raising of the Palestinian flag above Newham Town Hall was a visible expression of solidarity and a reminder that local communities can play an important role in keeping international issues in the public eye.

Recent political developments have given renewed hope to many who have been disappointed or frustrated by aspects of Labour's approach to the conflict. More importantly, there remains a widespread desire to see meaningful progress towards a lasting, just and peaceful resolution for both Palestinians and Israelis.

While a flag-raising ceremony cannot change events on the ground, it can send a powerful message of support, compassion and international friendship. Judging by the mood of those attending, that message was received loud and clear.

Check out for further details 

Cousins meeting their new Cousin Ian

 

Last week, the Matthews family gathered to welcome our newly discovered paternal first cousin, Ian, and his partner, Julie. 

We enjoyed a meal together at the reopened Brookhouse Mill restaurant in Denbigh, North Wales. Ian is the natural son of our uncle, Robert James (Jim) Matthews, and was adopted shortly after birth for reasons not uncommon in the 1960s. 

I recently met Ian and Julie for the first time at a meal in London after connecting through a family history site, with my other cousins organising this first get-together. With so many of us (my mum was one of eight children), not everyone could make it, but we hope to turn this social gathering into an annual tradition. 

We have so much family history to share, yet nowadays we tend to meet only for sad occasions like funerals. 

Gill and I also joined Ian and Julie at Denbigh Cemetery, where his birth father (my Uncle Jim), his maternal grandparents (Taid & Nain), and several other relatives, including his auntie Margaret (my mum), are buried. 

Before that, he met with Cousin Sue in Denbigh. 

During his stay in North Wales, he also met his maternal birth relatives in nearby Wrexham for the first time. 

Those of us present agreed to meet at least once a year for a family meal, and I’m already looking forward to it.

Keir Starmer standing down as MP

 

I imagine historians will be debating for years about how this all happened. While I understand and agree with his decision to resign as both PM and MP, as an interested observer, I can’t help but wonder what went so wrong and why.