
At the West Ham ward meeting last week the following motion was passed unanimously:-
“West
Ham Labour Party branch propose that the 120th anniversary of the
election of Keir Hardie as Independent Labour MP for West Ham South be
marked in some way in Stratford Town Hall ”. This was noted at West Ham Executive Council last night and will go to the local Party General Council on the 26th.
This anniversary will also take place just before the London Olympics 2012 begins in Stratford. We will see if we can possibly link both events. In the meanwhile I asked the social media Labour Movement historian Captain Swing (who had reminded me of the anniversary) if he had any ideas how we can mark the occasion. He suggested (amongst many things) that we hold a local Labour Party seminar to discuss what Keir Hardie can teach us today (and to dye the Thames Red!). Hat tip picture Captain Swing.
7 comments:
What did do for the area?
Hi anon
What did do do?
Bit early isn't it to be on the sauce anon?
Keir was of course a teetotalle :)
You might have been a little the worse for wear yourself John if you thought you saw the old Statford Town Hall on Stratford High St. It is, of course, on the Broadway.
But seriously, I've often wondered why there is no statue to Hardie in West Ham/Stratford. It might be that it couldn't come out of public funds but I would have thought there'd be sufficient from personal donations (count me in), the Labour Party, unions, the left in general. If I recall correctly there's a bust at the old town hall dating from the centenary of his birth and maybe the centenary of his death in 3 years time would be more appropriate to aim for (I don't know if the recently-formed Kier Hardie Society has any plans). Something you could take up John?
Hi Gilberdyke
Apologies - You are quite right that the Old Town Hall is on the Broadway not that part of the High Street.
Very good point about there being no statute of Keir Hardie. There is a bust in the town hall on your left (of course) as you go into the reception.
Lots going on at the mo. Yes, this will be something I will take up.
I have just emailed the KH society here http://keirhardiesociety.blogspot.com/
Many thanks for the suggestion.
How about re-naming 306 as Kier Hardie House?
Good point anon (about renaming West Ham Labour Party HQ at 306 High Street)after Keir Hardie. I will suggest to EC.
Due to redevelopment in the area we are not sure how long we are staying at 306.
http://grayee.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/keir-hardie-120th-election-anniversary.html
a Labour movmement history walking tour of Stratford
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