Pride in West Ham with Angela Rayner

A lovely picture of Adjoa and me with Labour MP Angela Rayner in Newham, just outside West Ham Ward. 

I first met Angela many years ago at our UNISON conference when she was a young member but already a leading UNISON trade union rep and activist. 

I’m looking forward to hearing her address the UNISON National Delegate Conference this year on the Labour Employment Rights Act, which is the greatest advance in workers’ rights in this country for 60 years, and one she has undoubtedly been one of the strongest supporters of.

West Ham candidates visit to Khidmah Academy Mosque

 

Last Thursday evening, I felt proud and honoured to join my fellow Labour West Ham candidates, Sam and Adjoa, in visiting the Khidmah Academy Mosque on Vicarage Lane. 

Although it’s about 50 metres outside the official West Ham ward boundaries, many of our residents and their families use the centre, but we also checked in with our Forest Gate South colleagues beforehand. 

We were welcomed to observe prayers, after which each of us was invited to speak for a minute and introduce ourselves. 

It was inspiring to witness first-hand the deep spiritual side of Islam, something too rarely shown in mainstream UK media. 

Afterwards, we enjoyed conversations with Mosque members and trustees. 

We’re open and eager to visit all other faith groups in and around our ward. 

A special thanks to Pervez Qureshi, Labour Candidate in Plaistow North (third from right), for helping arrange the visit.

Stop the steal - Fight for our future!

 

Reform UK has pledged to rip up legal protections for workers and renters.

Reform are proposing a so-called "Great Repeal Bill" to scrap rights secured in the Employment Rights Act - rights that millions of working people have fought hard to win.

Add your name to protect workers' rights

Order free Fight for Our Future Posters

Their Great Repeal Bill would strip our rights and our voice. It would hand power to bad bosses and rogue landlords. The planned attacks include: Taking sick pay, bereavement leave, and pregnancy protections off millions of workers. Legalising fire-and-rehire and workplace discrimination. Reintroducing "no-fault" evictions and reducing limits on rent increases.

Other campaign resources

Campaign webpage Campaign video Social media graphics

Together, let’s stop Reform’s Great Repeal Bill. https://www.tuc.org.uk/LESE

"On the knocker" during West Ham Sunset's

We’ve been out knocking on doors in West Ham ward, chatting with residents about their issues, concerns, and how we can help. 

People have been really pleased to see us, valuing the chance to connect and our offer to meet face-to-face every Saturday from 10 to 11 am at the Labour drop-in confidential advice surgery at the Vicarage Lane Community Centre. 

Also, we’ve had some beautiful sunsets this week.

 

Pride in Newham rally with Sadiq Khan

 

Thanks to Sadiq for stopping by to support Forhad and our Newham Labour campaign this week. He delivered an inspiring speech highlighting Labour’s achievements so far, like lifting 10,000 children in Newham out of poverty by ending the Tory two-child benefit cap, while acknowledging there’s still more work ahead. 

Not long after this photo was taken, the rain began, and I quickly regretted leaving my umbrella at home.

Workers Memorial Day 28 April 2026: 12 Noon (tbc) "Clasping Hands" Statue, 3 Mills Green, Stratford

 

"Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living"

The Greater London UNISON Housing Associations branch will be marking again, International Worker's Memorial Day, with a wreath laying event at the "Clasping Hands" Statue in 3 Mills Green, Stratford, Newham, East London at 12 Noon (tbc) Tuesday 28 April 2026.

This memorial stands on the site of a tragic and wholly avoidable incident, where a worker lost his life after being overcome by poison gas in a ventilation shaft — and others died, one after the other, trying to rescue them. Their courage and sacrifice remind us why the fight for safe, healthy workplaces must never stop.

For 2026, the TUC is focusing on the need to prevent violence at work — we want a greater protections from verbal and physical abuse and violence in workplaces, and protections enshrined in law, too.

Members, Safety reps and Staff Safety officers from local Housing Associations are expected but all welcome to pay their respects. Guest speakers invited.  Please bring banners. 

Further details to follow. Check out https://www.tuc.org.uk/IWMD/international-workers-memorial-day-events for updates and similar events across the country. 

Royal Docks, West Ham & Maryland Campaign Day 11.4.26

 

✊ A Strong Day of Campaigning Across Newham

Today was one of those days that reminds me why I love campaigning in Newham — full of energy, purpose, and real conversations with residents.

🚴‍♂️ Royal Victoria: Starting the Day with Leafletting

The morning began in Royal Victoria, leafletting with Cllr Steve Brayshaw. On the cycle over, I saw something I haven’t witnessed in a long time: a large-scale Traffic Police speeding and vehicle check operation. A proper, visible enforcement presence — and frankly, well done to them.

🗳️ West Ham: Canvassing with Adjoa, Sam & James Asser MP

From there I cycled to West Ham for a canvass with fellow candidates Adjoa and Sam, our activists, and James Asser MP.

Fresh from completing the nomination process at the Newham elections office, I was proudly wearing my Labour & Co‑operative Party rosette for the first time.

We were joined by two brilliant activists from Harrow who are aiming to visit all 32 London boroughs during the campaign — we were number 21 on their list. I’ll share their write‑up when it’s published.

A quick Greggs sandwich kept me going.

One highlight was speaking with a former Newham Labour Councillor and trade unionist whose Jewish family had been proud champions of the historic fight for the 8‑hour working day. A reminder of the deep roots of our movement.

🏚️ Casework: Damp and Mould

I was invited into a nearby home to see shocking damp and mould in a child’s bedroom. I’ll be making an urgent referral to L&Q — no family should be living in those conditions.

🌆 Maryland: Final Canvass with Mel, Reece & Uma Kumaran MP

The day ended in Maryland with Cllr Mel, candidate Reece, and my own MP, Uma Kumaran. We had a series of warm, constructive conversations with residents — and Uma and Mel were brilliant at stepping in to speak with people who wanted to raise specific issues.

One health worker and I had a long, thoughtful discussion about the concerns many trade unionists have regarding the Green Party’s leadership, particularly around their lack of commitment to a Just Transition for workers. It’s a conversation happening across the movement.

My final doorstep was with a housing worker — a traditional Labour voter — who simply wanted reassurance that Labour in Newham will deliver. I told him what I genuinely believe: Forhad Hussain is born and bred here, raising his family here, and has deep experience both in the Council and the private sector. He will work collectively with councillors to deliver for residents.

And I stand by that.

Newham Greens Leader & Mayor candidate - "categorically untrue, baseless and libellous comments...gutter politics"

 

The hypocrisy of the Newham Green leader and its so called Mayoral Candidate over their "untrue, baseless and libellous comments" against the Labour Candidate, Forhad Hussain, is frankly, pretty sick. I personally hope that the Police, the Election Commission and the Civil courts take action about their descent to vile gutter politics. 

Red Sky in West Ham

 

While out with our Labour action team colleagues this evening (Thursday) in West Ham ward, delivering local community leaflets we enjoyed a fantastic red sky sunset. Shepherds Delight....?

UNISON NEC pre 8.4.26

 

On Tuesday evening, after an earlier meeting of the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC) Policy Development & Campaigns Sub-Committee (PDCC), we gathered at the UNISON headquarters for a bit of gossip and chat. Some of us then headed to a local curry restaurant for a meal. 

The following day was the full-day NEC meeting, which turned out to be a very strange yet interesting experience that I’ll share more about once I’ve had time to recover!