Sunday, April 26, 2026

Busy Labour Weekend in West Ham & Playing Away in Royal Victoria

 

It was a busy weekend. Friday started very early, getting into hard-to-access blocks to leaflet postal voters using trade access buttons. 

Saturday morning was my Councillor surgery at the newly refurbished Vicarage Lane Community Centre, which will be a fantastic asset once fully reopened. 

A resident came to discuss parking and park maintenance issues, accompanied by her young daughter, who attends the same primary school as my neighbour’s daughter. 

Later, I went canvassing with Adjoa and Parvin in West Ham (Sam couldn’t join us this time) and treated myself to a relatively healthy lunch at the Plaistow Cafe. 

In the afternoon, I joined Steve and Caroline, a fellow housing worker, in Royal Victoria with local MP James Asser, and the response was very positive. Steve and Caroline are recognised as active and hard working local representatives. 

On Sunday, I was back in West Ham with Adjoa, our retiring Councillor, John Whitworth, and local activists. I picked up casework and had encouraging conversations, but it’s clear we need to get our message out better—many residents had no idea about the Labour Government saved Newham from Tory-induced bankruptcy, the massive affordable housebuilding programme being funded, the 10,000 children lifted out of poverty by ending the two-child benefit cap, or the most radical increase in employment and renters’ rights in 60 years. The campaign continues tomorrow.

Saturday, April 25, 2026

"Statement on the false claims by Areeq Chowdhury"

 

While I accept that politics can be a pretty brutal contest by all sides at times, the sheer deceitfulness and hypocrisy, of the Green Party is just breath-taking. They claim to be "honest" but repeat blatant personal lies about a political opponent. Shame on them. They are indeed not to be trusted. 

Thursday, April 23, 2026

L&Q Housing Association UNISON notice board


We were at the L&Q headquarters in Stratford, Newham, London last week in the evening for our branch Executive committee and I cannot resist posting this picture.  Sad but true,  I do love a good UNISON real life notice board. Well done to Tony (our branch chair) and local reps!

I do have some serious issues with L&Q housing management with another hat on. Watch this space. 

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

"On the Knocker" reminding West Hammers about their Postal Vote

 

A busy period and all candidates have got lots of steps in this phase of the election. My postal vote for the May 7 Election arrived at home today. Residents live busy lives and are often pleased to have a gentle reminder to exercise their democratic right to vote from the comfort of their home. 

Many thanks to our ace local canvasser Varghese for all his support. I will be highlighting supporters to acknowledge their huge contributions. 

Monday, April 20, 2026

Retirement celebration with UNISON LAS Paramedic Pete Hannell

 

On Friday evening, I met up with Pete, who is retiring from the London Ambulance Service (LAS) as a paramedic after more than 30 years of service. Pete is, of course, well-known in UNISON for being very shy, even bashful, and it’s always a challenge to get him to say much. 

He was an active UNISON LAS rep and Labour Link Officer and will always be a hammer for workers’ rights. He’s also a Labour councillor, having won a safe Conservative seat on his local Herts Council. 

We started at the UNISON Centre in Camden, then went on a mini tour of local and East End pubs before finishing with a meal at the Lahore Kebab House. 

Best wishes to Pete and his wife for his well deserved retirement and all their upcoming travel adventures.

Saturday, April 18, 2026

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.

Friday, April 17, 2026

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.

Thursday, April 16, 2026

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.

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

Together, let’s stop Reform’s Great Repeal Bill.

https://www.tuc.org.uk/LESE


Tuesday, April 14, 2026

"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.