Epping Green Walk 14.2.26

 

Went for a lovely 5 mile circular walk with Gill last Saturday in Essex only 30 mins drive from East London. Some nice views, different terrain and somewhat stretching climbs (for Essex). Wet and muddy in parts after recent rain. 

We have done different versions of this walk a few times now but the new sign saying there was iron age pig roaming free was very exciting but alas none were seen on this occasion. 

Stopped off at The Travellers Friend on way home for a pint of London Pride. Hat tip route OS site and Country Walking magazine

Re-elected as UNISON Greater London Regional Council officer (Finance Convenor) 2026-27

 

I was pleased to be re‑elected with a solid majority as Finance Convenor (RCO) for the London Region, and I offer commiserations to my opponent. I think I was first elected to this role in either 2006 or 2007, which means this may well be my twentieth term in office — quite a milestone.

The only other contested RCO election this year was for Deputy Convenor, and my colleague Conroy Lawrence (left in the picture) was also comfortably re‑elected. None of the RCO positions were challenged by the “evil ones”, so it was a straightforward win for the forces of "light and reason" in the London Region.

It will certainly be an interesting few years ahead with a new General Secretary from the far left, elected with the backing of a tiny, tiny proportion of UNISON’s membership. Watch this space.

Every worker needs a union. Have you joined one yet?

 Every worker needs a union. Have you joined one yet? https://lnkd.in/ejAkzRHF

#HeartUnions

Last day of Love Unions Week 2026. Check out this TUC web site to find out which union you should consider joining. https://www.tuc.org.uk/heartunions . If you work in public services then go to JoinUNISON

Every worker needs a union. Have you joined one yet? https://lnkd.in/ejAkzRHF

#HeartUnions

Canning Town South Street Surgery

On Monday evening, I joined my fellow Labour candidates in Canning Town South for a street surgery in their ward. 

We managed to get into some of the newer blocks and chatted with residents about any issues or concerns they had with Newham Council, also conducting a quick survey. 

I teamed up with Rohit and Aderonke (not pictured) with John M, covering alternate floors in the blocks. Apart from a few residents who were busy cooking or eating, everyone I spoke to was interested and engaged. 

Common issues included ASB, parking, and litter, as well as specific concerns like ground rent, which Rohit was already on top of. 

Although the elections are still a way off, the response at the doors was positive, with no negativity toward Labour and some great conversations. 

As Newham Labour Group Chair, I’m making my way to all our ward street surgeries but hope to return to Canning Town South before May 7.

Labour LGA Conference 2026 (and West Ham Street Surgery)

 

Last Saturday morning I joined my West Ham colleagues for a street surgery before heading to Coventry for the Labour Local Government Association annual conference. 

During the street surgery, I had a fascinating and respectful conversation with a resident about the impact of immigration, crime, and poverty. It reminded me never to make assumptions and to expect challenges from unexpected places. The armchair warriors of both the far right and far left should spend time knocking on doors and talking to real people to realise their simplistic, bigoted views don’t reflect reality. 

At the conference, there were various workshops, exhibitors, and a phone bank. In the evening, we had a formal dinner, where you can see in picture collage, Cabinet Secretary for Housing Steve Reed MP with some of the Newham Crew. 

I was delighted to have a photo with UNISON member Brenda Dacres, Mayor of Lewisham and now Baroness Dacres of Lewisham OBE. 

The next morning featured more speeches followed by additional workshops, but I had to leave early for another commitment. "Hopefully", I’ll be able to attend next year’s conference :-)

March TOGETHER Against The Far Right - London 28 March 2026

 Friend,

Thank you for joining Together, a new alliance of 50+ organisations and thousands of individuals united against the hate of the far right.

We’re so proud to have you with us, and so excited to get to work to show what this country really stands for.

That’s why we’re asking you to get started by taking these two simple steps:

Step 1:

We know our strength lies in solidarity. That the change we need comes from working together for hope, not despair.

On 28 March from 12PM, we’ll prove that together, with a national demonstration through Central London.

This is our first public action — and it’s going to send a message no-one can ignore:

Thousands of us taking to the streets to show what Britain can be: united and hopeful.

Can we count on you to march with us?

Save the date

Step 2:

To make this march as powerful as it can be, we need people from every walk of life standing shoulder to shoulder.

Different backgrounds, different beliefs, different stories — all showing that despite what divides us, there is something much stronger that brings us together.

It’s about showing that when this country chooses love over division, we are unstoppable.

That’s why we’re asking you to watch and share our launch video — so we can spread the word as far and wide as possible and make sure people from every corner of the country are with us.

West Ham Station Attack 50th Anniversary - 15 March

 Hat tip ASA Charity https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=west%20ham%20station%20attack%2050th

"In 1976, the IRA terrorists bombing campaign in London was at its height, targeting ordinary people as they went about their daily work. On 15 March 1976, a bomb was detonated on an Underground train at West Ham Station, seriously injuring nine people.

In the aftermath of the explosion, train driver Joseph Julius Stephen pursued the fleeing terrorist. In an act of extraordinary courage and selflessness, he was shot and killed. Peter Chalk, a Post Office engineer and passenger on the train, was also shot after pleading with the attacker that he wanted to help the injured. Peter was shot in the chest, but he survived the attack.

Joseph Julius Stephen was just 34 years old. Originally from the West Indies, he lived in Hammersmith with his wife Janet and their four-year-old son, Mark. His bravery was later recognised when he became the first person to receive the Queen’s Gallantry Medal posthumously. In 2022, a memorial plaque was unveiled in his honour.

To coincide with the forthcoming 50th Anniversary, the Ancre Somme Association has commissioned a commemorative enamel badge to mark the West Ham Station Attack. The badge has been created to raise awareness of Joseph Julius Stephen’s heroism and, above all, to ensure that his family know that “Julius,” as he was known to them, is remembered and honoured".

Abbey Gardens Street Surgery, the Plaistow Landgrabbers & Residents meeting on Trees

 

On Saturday, Adjoa, Sam, and I continued our street surgeries with supporters, having also done one the previous Monday evening. 

We spoke with residents in several streets near Abbey Road, visited the Community Gardens, admired the historic Abbey ruins, the plants being grown, and, of course, the bee section. I shared the local connection to the “Plaistow Landgrabbers” https://www.whatwilltheharvestbe.com/about/ and their motto, “What will the harvest be?” 

We then stopped by Abbey Road DLR station, where a poster advises visitors that if they’re looking for the famous Beatles zebra crossing, they’re in the wrong part of London—a reminder of the time a tourist asked me about it there. 

Later, Adjoa and I caught the tail end of a well-attended West Ham residents’ meeting on a proposal to plant trees in their street, chaired by my ward colleague Cllr John Whitworth. It was a lively but polite debate with strong views on both sides. 

On my cycle home, I passed the Clapton FC game, which you can now watch from a distance along the pathway.

TUC LESE Regional Council & Love Unions week 2026

On Saturday morning, I joined UNISON colleagues from Greater London, South East, and Eastern regions as delegates at the TUC LESE Regional Council meeting. It was held online because the National TUC has decided to sell its headquarters at Congress House (sadly, it was unsuitable), and the venue was unavailable. 

The meeting began with a report on the welcome introduction of the Employment Rights Act in April by the Labour Government, the Together Alliance Demo on March 28th, the abolition of the two-child benefit cap, and significant increases in the minimum wage, especially for 18-20 year olds. 

A fascinating panel discussion on "The Future of Work" followed, covering climate change and the need for a just transition for workers, the potentially daunting yet promising future of AI, and the real-life impact of workplace automation shared by a Southampton docker. 

Next came a presentation on London May Day publicity and mobilisation, followed by an in-depth report from TUC LESE Regional Secretary Sam Gurney (I must ask if he is related to the Gurneys of 19th-century Newham). A positive and constructive Q&A session wrapped up that segment. 

There were several mentions of TUC’s "Love Unions" week, 9-15 February. I’ve ordered leaflets and will be organising an event at my workplace. The excellent TUC LESE video "Heart Unions Blues," played during the meeting, is well worth watching. https://www.tuc.org.uk/heartunions

Although a speaker on the May Local Government elections was unavailable, there was a general discussion about what the TUC can and cannot do during such elections, given electoral laws and the fact that it is not affiliated with any political party nor has a political fund. Nonetheless, this doesn’t prevent the promotion of trade union values. 

No motions were tabled, and after the finance report and any other business, the meeting closed slightly early. I then went off to campaign for Labour in my ward. 

Wayne Mattison for Community Yorkshire & Humberside General Seat -

It’s a bit late, but I’d like to ask UNISON branches or other nomination bodies in the Yorkshire & Humberside region to consider nominating Wayne for the Community General seat. 

Wayne is an experienced multi-trade repair operative and serves as the UNISON lead steward and safety rep for all repairs staff with our employer. 

He’s a hardworking, no-nonsense, proactive union rep who would be a real asset to the Community Service Group Executive. 

Nominations close at 5 p.m. on 11 February 2026.