Newham Rough Sleeper Count May 2025

 

Last night I joined the team going out from Newham Dockside Building to start the bi monthly count from midnight util 3am of rough sleepers in Newham, East London. 

The team is made up of Council officers, stakeholders and local Councillors. We were fully briefed beforehand on the how and why, what to do if we come across someone very vulnerable and personal safety. 

We were split up into groups of 2 or 3 with maps and sent all over Newham, where it was believed from recent reports, people may be sleeping rough. If they were asleep we were told to just count them but if they were awake and willing to engage, we should take some details of their circumstances and they would be visited by the early morning shift of outreach workers to see what help and support could be offered. 

I went again with Council officer Aidan, to cover two patches of Newham. I was pleased that despite it being a warm night, for the first time in a long time, we did not find anyone sleeping rough sleeping. 

But I am very sure that other groups did find people sleeping rough elsewhere in the borough. 

Thanks to Paul (white tee shirt) and his officers for organising this so well. Ajitha, the recently retired former Council manager of this team must be so proud. 

Breakfast at Pellicci

 

Had yet another great breakfast recently at E Pellicci in Bethnal Green with Monty Matty (former Tower Hamlets UNISON caretaker steward).

Believe it or not, since I am cutting down on carbs, and swopped the toast and hash browns for extra Sausage and bacon - this is diet food! (somewhat). 

There was some American tourists next to us who had been recommended to eat here by their taxi driver. They were talking to a young local man who was a boxer with 7 straight victories and had recently been training in Vegas. 

Check out its history Our Story : Pellicci's

UNISON Members - Get help with School uniforms online application starts today (Wednesday 28 May 2025) at 12 Noon!

 

I first posted this earlier this month and hope that low paid members with school age children will apply. Online applications are not great for many UNISON members but I hope this being half term in many areas they will notice this and apply.

"UNISON’s charity, There for You, is offering help for members on a low income with a one-off, non-repayable grant of £75 per school-aged child which will be paid in the form of a voucher. We want to make this limited fund go as far as possible and help as many members as we can. Please only apply if you are in financial difficulty.

Applications will be made online and a link to apply will be added to this webpage when the grant is live".

The grant will be open for 24 hours from 12 noon on 28 May 2025 and close at 12 noon on 29 May 2025.

School Uniform Grant | There for You (UNISON Welfare) | UNISON National

Newham Council AGM 2025

Last Thursday evening was the Newham Council AGM, which was held this year in the new Shipman Youth Zone.

In this picture taken at the end of the meeting I am with the Chair of Council (our civic major), Cllr Dr Rohit Das Gupta, our local MPs James Asser and Uma Kumaran and the Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz together with some of the officers of Newham Labour Group. I am now its chair (again!). 

The John Smith Memorial Lecture: Gordon Brown - The future of public life

 

Last Wednesday, after a long day at a UNISON NEC meeting, I was lucky to get a ticket to a packed lecture by former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown. It was held in Cadogan Hall in West London. 

Gordon was introduced by former Labour Leader Neil Kinnock who was on form. Gordon came on the stage and just stood in the front and without notes gave a comprehensive and compelling analysis of the big political and social issues facing the world. Interweaved with personal remanences, historical contest and at times, great humour. A "tour de force". 

Check out this report on the lecture "WE NEED TO REBUILD THE PUBLIC SQUARE": GORDON BROWN DELIVERS INAUGURAL JOHN SMITH MEMORIAL LECTURE - John Smith Centre

Thank you to branches and supporters of UNISON NEC "Members Together" Candidates. Results out 11 June

 

UNISON NEC elections (the elected "Parliament" of UNISON members) closed 5pm on Wednesday (21 May). The Scrutineer and Returning Officer (Civica Election Services) for this election will now investigate any complaints and will then announce the results on 11 June.

Denise (my fellow candidate for the two National Community seats) and I thank all our supporters, those who have voted for us and also the other #Membertogether candidates.

Win or loss, the fight to build the union and defend members continues!

It's Vote o' clock! Last chance to vote in UNISON NEC elections: Postal (ONLY) Ballot closes this Wednesday 5pm

 

The UNISON NEC elections close at 5pm Wednesday 21st May THIS week. It is a postal only ballot and if you have not voted yet, it is probably best to send today to make sure it gets to returning officer in time - it is SAE but maybe put on a 1st class stamp if you can, to make sure. 

I am standing with Denise for the 2x Community seats (if you are UNISON members and work in a charity or Housing association). I am recommending Eddie, Clara, Sonya and Abiola as your London reps. All UNISON members will be able to vote for other national seats as well (except for the Young Members seats which are for ...Young members only). 

Please vote and if you are a UNISON member in another UNISON Region or Service (work) Group then please check the Members Together web site for recommendations. 

We must unite our union and work with our General Secretary, Christina McAnea to win for members. Full stop. 

Hat tip top to Lady Lola!

UNISON School Uniform Grant 28 May 2025 - share with members

 

"UNISON’s charity, There for You, is offering help for members on a low income with a one-off, non-repayable grant of £75 per school-aged child which will be paid in the form of a voucher. We want to make this limited fund go as far as possible and help as many members as we can. Please only apply if you are in financial difficulty.

Applications will be made online and a link to apply will be added to this webpage when the grant is live".

The grant will be open for 24 hours from 12 noon on 28 May 2025 and close at 12 noon on 29 May 2025.

School Uniform Grant | There for You (UNISON Welfare) | UNISON National

Canvass Green Street East 17 May 2025

 

After Labour Group local campaign training, we went out to canvass in Green Street East with local Councillors. I had to leave early to see my little sister and niece who were down from Lincs to see a show together. 

Last chance for UNISON NEC elections: Members together Community, London & National Slate

 

The UNISON NEC elections close at 5pm Wednesday 21st May next week. It is a postal only ballot and if you have not voted yet, it is probably best to send tomorrow at the latest to make sure it gets to returning officer in time - it is SAE but maybe put on a 1st class stamp if you can, to make sure. 

I am standing with Denise for the 2x Community seats (if you are UNISON members and work in a charity or Housing association). I am recommending Eddie, Clara, Sonya and Abiola as your London reps. All UNISON members will be able to vote for other national seats as well (except for the Young Members seats which are for ...Young members only). 

Please vote and if you are a UNISON member in another UNISON Region or Service (work) Group then please check the Members Together web site for recommendations. 

We must unite our union and work with our General Secretary, Christina McAnea to win for members. Full stop. 

Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival 2025 line-up poster!!

 

"Yet another dynamic and diverse programme of music, comedy, theatre and more 

18th - 20th July in the village of Tolpuddle, Dorset

Tickets and festival info at https://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/festival"

Not voted yet in the UNISON NEC elections?

 

Dig that ballot paper out of the pile, vote and get it in the post If you’ve not got it then call 0800 0 857 857 ASAP Ballots have to be back by 21 May. Don’t lose your right to vote!

Hat tip @andrew4nec

Check out recommendations on who to vote for Your Candidates — Members Together

RAF Hornchurch & Rainham Hall Walk 5 May 2025

 

Last Monday 5 May 25, Gill and I went for a 6.52 mile walk around Hornchurch Country Park and a visit to the National Trust property, Rainham Hall. 

The country park used to be the site of a First World war and then Battle of Britain airfield called RAF Hornchurch. There are a number of physical reminders of the war including defensive bunkers and gun emplacements. The airfield was attacked 20 times by German aircraft and there was numerous casualties not only of pilots in combat but also of ground crew. 

We had hoped to also see the RAF planes flying overhead to the VE Day celebrations outside Buckingham Place but the weather was mostly cloudy and a little wet so missed seeing this. 

The Country Park route was on the OS website and we extended the walk to visit the nearby 18th century House, Rainham Hall. Which also had lots of history, as well as lovely gardens. 

Workers Memorial Day 2025: Clasping hands statue in Stratford, Newham

 

Last week my UNISON branch organised the annual Workers Memorial Day event at the "Clasping Hands" statute in Three Mills Green, Bow, Newham. 

This is the site of an historic "accident" where 3 workers died, one after each other, trying to pull out another worker, who had collapsed at the bottom of a ventilation shaft from poisoned gas. 

Local MPs, Uma Kumaran and James Asser laid wreaths at the memorial together with Safety officers from Clarion and L&Q Housing Associations. Uma, James and London Assembly member, Unmesh Desai, together with others, also spoke about the importance of this day, not only in remembering those who were killed at work or died of industrial injuries but as a day to think about campaigning in the future to protect those currently at work. 

I introduced the event as UNISON Housing Associations branch chair and our branch Secretary, Joseph Ogundemuren gave closing remarks. Afterwards we gathered outside the site of the actual shaft nearby. 

Members together Statement following the removal of UNISON's President

 

This is also to counter some false information being spread about the facts of this matter. The person elected by the current Majority NEC to be this years President has been found guilty of "serious misconduct" by a panel of his peers, who decided the appropriate punishment was disqualification from holding ANY UNISON office for 18 months. This decision was appealed and a separate appeal panel by UNISON members was held who decided to uphold the original sanction. 

Every vote counts (wining by 1)

 

I was naturally really pleased to see this election declaration yesterday (see previous post John's Labour blog: "On the knocker" in Hainault By Election) but winning - by one vote out of 2903 cast!  It must have been so stressful for the 2 leading candidates, their agents and Council staff. 

There was a recount and no doubt the candidate's counting agents would have been scrutinising every single vote. I understand that there was another Council by election victory yesterday by one vote in Norwich and of course the infamous "victory" of Reform by 5 votes when 32,655 were cast (2025 Runcorn and Helsby by-election - Wikipedia).

However, politics can be cruel and a "win is a win". I have never campaigned beforehand in any election that was so close and it makes me think how important it is when you campaign in the future to say to yourself that this election could be won or lost - by one vote. 

UNISON NEC Elections 2025: Community Service Group Ballot Paper - Vote for Denise and John

 

This morning I received this scan via teams from a workplace UNISON Colleague. The ballot papers for UNISON Community members (Housing Associations and Charities) have finally arrived. My pack was delivered by Royal Mail today as well. 

If you are a UNISON member and work for a Housing Association or Charity then please consider voting for Denise Thomas and John Gray as your NEC candidates. 

Also think about supporting other Members Together candidates and those who genuinely want to put the real interests of members first, work with our General Secretary, Christina McAnea and genuinely want to build and grow our union to deliver for members. 

For other recommendations in other services groups, regions and self organised groups :-

All members will have a vote for their region, service group, black and disabled candidates. Young members will also have a vote for their forum candidates. 

UNISON NEC ELECTIONS 2025
MEMBERS TOGETHER CANDIDATES

REGIONAL SEATS

Eastern General, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Glenn Carrington, Debbie Rowden, Sam Hemraj

East Midlands General, Female, Low Pay Reserved

James Minto, Debby Taylor, Leanne Weatherley

Greater London General, Female, Female Low Pay Reserved

Eddie Brand, Sonya Howard, Clara Mason, Ablola Kusoro

Northern General, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Linda Hobson, Janet Green, Helen Firman

Northern Ireland General, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Alastair-Long Margaret McKee Catherine McKenna 

Scotland General            

Willie Docherty 

SERVICE GROUP SEATS

South East General, Female, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Theo Michael, Kerry Stothart, Fatima Kamara, Sarah Barwick

South West General, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Nell Guild, Alison Evans, Wendy Walker

Cymru/Wales General, Female, Low Paid Reserved

Glerin Pappas, Tess Morris, Michelle Edwards

West Midlands General, Female, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Rob Birch, Julie Lawton, Nicola Moran, Deanne Wheeler

Yorkshire & Humberside General, female, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Rhlan Hawthorn, Kerri Tierney, Julie Marsland, Emma-Lee Baylls

Community General, Female

John Gray, Denise Thomas

Energy General              

Tracey Wainwright

Health General, General, Female, Female

James Anthony, Bryn Webster, Michelle England, Hetty Okonjl,

Higher Education General, Female

Dan Beard Amelia Rout

Local Government General, General, Female, Female

Justin Ashton, Andrew Coughlin, Maxine Young, Jenny Whittaker

Police, Probation and Cafcass General, Female

Phil Williams Karen Poole

Water, Environment & Transport General

Natalie Mladenovlc-Halgh

BLACK MEMBERS SEATS

Black Members Female, Female, Male, Low Pay Reserved 

Manjula Kumari, Tansalm Hussain Gill, Ash Silverstone, Marla Alberts

DISABLED MEMBERS SEATS

Disabled Members Female

Lady Lola Oyewusi

"On the knocker" in Hainault By Election

 

Today I went to help out in the Labour campaign to elect Helen Mullis as a Labour Councillor in a Council by election in Hainault, Redbridge, London. 

It was a lovely warm and sunny day. On route I saw local MP Jas Athwal. 

At first I was on a team with local activists (including a NHS UNISON member) and Portsmouth MP, Amanda Martin, which went knocking on doors of voters near Hainault Country Park to remind them to vote. 

I rang one video internet door bell and had a conversation with a voter who was away in Cyprus, who obviously could not vote that day. 

When I knocked on another door, I thought the resident who answered seemed familiar but I could not place her. She remarked on my UNISON tee-shirt and it turned out she is the sister of former UNISON National Health and Safety Officer, Hope Daily, who I did a year long TUC/IOSH safety diploma  course with many years ago. 

After a delicious home cooked chicken curry snack at the campaign headquarters, I went out in a second group with my colleague Newham Sue (Masters), local Councillors, Helen & Prabjit and activist Alex. I was asked to lead the Group using the Labour Doorstep phone app. Beforehand Wes Streeting MP came out with a canvass team as well. 

This canvass was very positive. Newham Sue treated us to ice creams towards the end of the canvass which went down very well. We had 35 contacts in total which wasn't that bad. 

Fingers crossed for Labour candidate, Helen Mullis, everyone I met who had actually spoken to her, were very complimentary. 

UPDATE: Helen won - by one vote! John's Labour blog: Every vote counts (wining by 1)

INTERNATIONAL WORKERS DAY 2025

 

Standing in solidarity with workers and trade unionists around the world today, and every day #IWD2025 #MayDay