tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77335832024-03-19T10:34:45.101+00:00John's Labour blogMy own personal blog. UNISON NEC member for Housing Associations & Charities, HA Convenor, London Regional Council Officer & Chair of its Labour Link Committee.
Newham Cllr for West Ham Ward, Vice Chair of Local Authority Pension Fund Forum, Pension trustee, Housing & Safety Practitioner.
Centre left and proud member of Labour movement family. Strictly no trolls please.
Promoted by Luke Place on behalf of J.Gray, Newham Labour Group, St Luke’s Community Centre, E16 1HS.John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.comBlogger7041125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-86084114688328260522024-03-17T10:30:00.004+00:002024-03-17T10:30:39.224+00:00Happy St Patrick's Day!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPqsYAGL4hjp5a2Qyobo5ZxILWMqyOUhcT7yn1E1dKe06QwB1DL2SXTnBlkRAvagn9r9-F90FOAWVCOhm_xPbBBZpsM9E3NSTu6Ux2goVFI6gUCqroTfT1tZa7IhHyo8ozGuoy2b2lR_VAXe4YBedrhyphenhyphennJPty0HPKyDx60lPoHe3ThDi6bRUO_g/s640/happy%20st%20pats%20day%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPqsYAGL4hjp5a2Qyobo5ZxILWMqyOUhcT7yn1E1dKe06QwB1DL2SXTnBlkRAvagn9r9-F90FOAWVCOhm_xPbBBZpsM9E3NSTu6Ux2goVFI6gUCqroTfT1tZa7IhHyo8ozGuoy2b2lR_VAXe4YBedrhyphenhyphennJPty0HPKyDx60lPoHe3ThDi6bRUO_g/w512-h640/happy%20st%20pats%20day%202024.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p></p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-19831036147618648042024-03-14T23:30:00.002+00:002024-03-15T02:09:53.809+00:00Veronica Oakeshott for Bicester & Woodstock<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9ExFBFyKy_HHWkenKy-wOuj1nBGKEM74sSH7n6v4qSDKgHE_hHV9UgJesgUcyyF00Z73lTGixaT-1pvR7lNeJGGclVNDk3DgEfepknZB1UdCBkQLbauOUZhKA9ZmbxYQZvU7TU2KugTDi8vxex5gxBB4X16mBFWRI6mHwpNB76XEm13JKiQ5WzA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9ExFBFyKy_HHWkenKy-wOuj1nBGKEM74sSH7n6v4qSDKgHE_hHV9UgJesgUcyyF00Z73lTGixaT-1pvR7lNeJGGclVNDk3DgEfepknZB1UdCBkQLbauOUZhKA9ZmbxYQZvU7TU2KugTDi8vxex5gxBB4X16mBFWRI6mHwpNB76XEm13JKiQ5WzA=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="css-175oi2r r-eqz5dr r-1fz3rvf r-1s2bzr4" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; font-size: 15px; list-style: none; margin: 12px 12px 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; 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margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l r-1awozwy r-18u37iz" data-testid="User-Name" style="align-items: center; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-1awozwy r-18u37iz r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs" style="align-items: center; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-1awozwy r-18u37iz r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs" style="align-items: center; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-1rynq56 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-b88u0q r-1awozwy r-6koalj r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q" dir="ltr" style="align-items: center; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: flex; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; text-wrap: nowrap;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" color="inherit" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" color="inherit" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;">Bicester and Woodstock Labour</span></span></div><div class="css-1rynq56 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-xoduu5 r-18u37iz r-1q142lx" dir="ltr" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline-flex; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1awozwy r-xoduu5" color="inherit" style="align-items: center; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-flex; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;"></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-18u37iz r-1wbh5a2 r-13hce6t" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-1d09ksm r-18u37iz r-1wbh5a2" style="align-items: baseline; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;" tabindex="-1"><div class="css-1rynq56 r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-18u37iz r-1wvb978" dir="ltr" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #536471; display: inline; flex-direction: row; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: "ss01"; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; text-wrap: nowrap;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" color="inherit" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;">@BicstrWdstckLab</span></div></div></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="css-1rynq56 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-1q142lx r-s1qlax" dir="ltr" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #536471; display: inline; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 4px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" color="inherit" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;">·</span></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-18u37iz r-1q142lx" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-1d09ksm r-18u37iz r-1wbh5a2" style="align-items: baseline; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div aria-label="Mar 12" class="css-1rynq56 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-xoduu5 r-1q142lx r-1w6e6rj r-9aw3ui r-3s2u2q" dir="ltr" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #536471; display: inline-flex; flex-shrink: 0; flex-wrap: wrap; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; gap: 4px; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; text-wrap: nowrap;"><time datetime="2024-03-12T13:34:53.000Z">Mar 12</time></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div class="css-175oi2r r-6gpygo r-1fz3rvf" style="align-items: stretch; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px 12px 12px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;">"We're excited to announce that our prospective General Election candidate is Veronica Oakeshott! Read all about her in this exclusive interview with the @TheOxfordMail #bicesterandwoodstock #labour https://oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24177313".</div><div class="css-175oi2r r-6gpygo r-1fz3rvf" style="align-items: stretch; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px 12px 12px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;">"It’s a huge honour to be the Labour candidate for my home constituency and the area I love! I want to improve the public services we all rely on & be the voice of my community in Westminster on the many things nationally that need to change. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VoteLabour?src=hashtag_click">#VoteLabour </a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ToriesOut?src=hashtag_click">#ToriesOut</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaveOurNHS?src=hashtag_click">#SaveOurNHS</a><div class="css-175oi2r r-6gpygo r-1fz3rvf" style="align-items: stretch; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px 12px 12px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><br /></div>(former West Ham ward resident and Newham Council Councillor)<div class="css-1rynq56 r-8akbws r-krxsd3 r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-bnwqim r-14gqq1x" data-testid="tweetText" dir="auto" lang="en" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; 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margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;"><span aria-hidden="true" class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-qlhcfr r-qvk6io" color="inherit" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 0.001px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="css-1rynq56 r-8akbws r-krxsd3 r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-bnwqim r-14gqq1x" data-testid="tweetText" dir="auto" lang="en" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 5; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: -webkit-box; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 4px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" color="inherit" dir="ltr" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;"><span aria-hidden="true" class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-qlhcfr r-qvk6io" color="inherit" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 0.001px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;">bicester-woodstock-mp-labour-candidate-shares-vision/</span></span></div></div>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-73368052774690893672024-03-13T23:32:00.001+00:002024-03-13T23:32:30.233+00:00"Pensions under the next Government": TUC Pension Conference 13.3.24<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyb-yW_Hw-z6_va6tZ92C9hbD8XRsCo1KV3v-RFqQeDvlM8thA8RsFuWwiDfCfwIUY-FNmPt-Rb2rBRBsDQ8heVgiBvfFwEB0b7UDbraYM6oxEWTW5ftPGIRKsMD09IiLPrBtC0kap77Fqpn1cFVrd0Is3qMSw-Ok-EvsFz3_XEqbsBqbeBqIlnA/s1920/TUC%20Pension%20conference%20Liz%20Kendall%20MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyb-yW_Hw-z6_va6tZ92C9hbD8XRsCo1KV3v-RFqQeDvlM8thA8RsFuWwiDfCfwIUY-FNmPt-Rb2rBRBsDQ8heVgiBvfFwEB0b7UDbraYM6oxEWTW5ftPGIRKsMD09IiLPrBtC0kap77Fqpn1cFVrd0Is3qMSw-Ok-EvsFz3_XEqbsBqbeBqIlnA/w640-h240/TUC%20Pension%20conference%20Liz%20Kendall%20MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Picture of Keynote speaker, Liz Kendall MP, at today's TUC Pension conference. Will post more later in week. There is definitely a feeling we are going to win power at next General election but we cannot take anything for granted. <p></p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-48969023288847762232024-03-12T22:14:00.002+00:002024-03-12T22:14:40.713+00:00Homage to a Hairy Dieter<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJIsRMjorKoOMlyPrazHsMOOHPr3byl6lPH5oJrF4Ba6VFnyStaAP3D-jBkQIniK6yBz6KtTJ_3LYhEoL_e96OjKBt-PfcFm7G_n3cRDqOExO2BAzSc4HI1AjM3KYAClSufFh8K4sn3-0PbDbgOvVrh918L2ov0eBJzfE2tIjmlLpxGf0V4hnGQ/s2046/20240312_203533-COLLAGE-EDIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJIsRMjorKoOMlyPrazHsMOOHPr3byl6lPH5oJrF4Ba6VFnyStaAP3D-jBkQIniK6yBz6KtTJ_3LYhEoL_e96OjKBt-PfcFm7G_n3cRDqOExO2BAzSc4HI1AjM3KYAClSufFh8K4sn3-0PbDbgOvVrh918L2ov0eBJzfE2tIjmlLpxGf0V4hnGQ/w640-h480/20240312_203533-COLLAGE-EDIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I have been a fan of the Hairy Bikers/Dieters for a long, long time and it was sad to hear that Dave Myers lost his battle against cancer recently. Tonight I cooked one of my favourite recipes from their book and I am freezing 3 more dishes for the next few weeks. Yum (but for me it needs more chili added than in book) and very healthy with extra green veg and seasoned Cauliflower rice. <p></p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-35836358148742355792024-03-11T22:17:00.002+00:002024-03-11T22:17:17.399+00:00Pay Ballot sent out today via email to all Clarion UNISON members.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKOx2vzF5mxEefrUsvoRulKDGPdnSBZqOOnWZydpVmwnMMkmwIZ15PtSCeVf_rLLAjq47_ob95qeazMuMDGQyCOD8Cfw-WYAS6KZjwo3NljlK6_UDQ07zZ-y7D5qUgmN6pavaPeK8QVyJ6wq5IJZ72NDl9GETciBHsx4etH3NabMH-ZQodU0cjg/s500/Clarion%20HYSOnYouPay.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="500" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKOx2vzF5mxEefrUsvoRulKDGPdnSBZqOOnWZydpVmwnMMkmwIZ15PtSCeVf_rLLAjq47_ob95qeazMuMDGQyCOD8Cfw-WYAS6KZjwo3NljlK6_UDQ07zZ-y7D5qUgmN6pavaPeK8QVyJ6wq5IJZ72NDl9GETciBHsx4etH3NabMH-ZQodU0cjg/w640-h224/Clarion%20HYSOnYouPay.webp" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">This consultation will close at 5pm on 25 March 2024. As the recognised trade union, only Clarion UNISON members are being balloted.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>VOTE ACCEPT OR REJECT</b></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">If you do not have a ballot email Unison@clarionhg.com</div></div>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-29418522375834656862024-03-10T21:24:00.001+00:002024-03-10T21:24:31.414+00:00UNISON Community Annual Seminar & Conference - Day 1<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3lnECa6YyKZDBXjA3oGioOlhfoXFM0ahjULjlimxMgfPgAbMJ83ItdJoJatdYRrxuV7iUVVUWdf8JAMlfi04s6cft3u3Zrpk_cIMNuu64X2gc1hegh6nO5saZxskNj9cBxHnJUKfKDu6lIYMFSjafFfT4F1KQiYkQ7_vo-8b8TztOt5uSvAeRw/s1200/UNISON%20Community%20Annual%20Seminar%20&%20Conference%202024%20-%20Day%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3lnECa6YyKZDBXjA3oGioOlhfoXFM0ahjULjlimxMgfPgAbMJ83ItdJoJatdYRrxuV7iUVVUWdf8JAMlfi04s6cft3u3Zrpk_cIMNuu64X2gc1hegh6nO5saZxskNj9cBxHnJUKfKDu6lIYMFSjafFfT4F1KQiYkQ7_vo-8b8TztOt5uSvAeRw/w640-h480/UNISON%20Community%20Annual%20Seminar%20&%20Conference%202024%20-%20Day%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On Friday our annual Community Seminar/Conference started in Chester. I was brought up only 8 miles away from Chester (Welsh side of the border) and have many fond memories of this lovely and historic city. Walking from the railway station to the hotel I passed Chester's "Marks and Spencers" and remember (not very foundly) spending many, many hours as a young child inside with my Mum and sister, shopping for clothes. The following week my Mum would often go back and return the clothes and then start shopping again!<p></p><p>After a 9am Service Group Executive Meeting (I am one of the 2 UNISON Community NEC members), I then attended a meeting of UNISON delegates who also work for Housing Associations. There was a number of useful discussions on common issues and it is pretty clear that on pay, our employers have been talking together and very many (not all) are offering 5% pay increase for this year. I made a comment that if employers are working together on pay then so should we. Another argument for sectorial wide fair pay agreements if there is a change of government. </p><p>At the same time there was delegation meetings for the wider Community & Voluntary sector and Major Charities. </p><p>Next there was a session for new delegates, where a brave attempt was made to explain how unison conferences work and how new delegates can participate. National Officer, Gavin Edwards and SGE member, Hassan Ortega did their their very best to demystify "points of order" and "card votes". </p><p>During lunch there was meetings of self organised groups (young members, disabled members, Black members and LGBT+). I went for a 50 minute brisk walk around Chester City Walls. </p><p>In the afternoon, there was the Plenary seminar session, starting with a welcome by our Chair, Malcolm Gray (a long lost cousin) and Jon Richards - UNISON Assistant General Secretary. </p><p>We then had Rebecca Young from NCVO presenting on their campaign to better fund public sector contracts in the Charity sector. UNISON policy officer Anna Birley on our Cost of Living Campaign. Finally, Gavin again on the UNISON National Care service campaigns. </p><p>At 4.30pm delegates had a choice of 4 workshops - "Pensions made simple and how to organise to improve them", "Year of the LGBT+ Worker", "Hands off - Tie to Tackle violence at work" and "Digital Organising". I helped out with national officer Andrew Dobbie on the pensions workshop. Which gave me some ideas on what to say during the pension motion on the Saturday. </p><p>Finally, there was regional briefings for delegates, followed by a reception in the hotel. Our keynote speaker for tomorrow's conference, Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner, was there and it was a pleasure to have a chat with her and her two youngest boys, who I had seen many times at previous UNISON conferences, growing up over the years. </p><p>Afterwards, Many of the London delegates then retired to a local hostelry for food, drinks, putting the world right and lots of gossip. </p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-90978467110589711372024-03-07T23:30:00.002+00:002024-03-08T12:23:59.266+00:00Labour Housing Group Executive Elections 2024 - Election Re-run. Finish today Friday 8.3.24 5pm<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k6gqUyLopahSfQ4sdyYI1ETZA4jgUERuMg9fXTfgr-_kiQgNBcdI9-CkVVfW1KCXR0cz09PcGavd1fRPlF-SP195SmnbkLnq-R6cSdSqnCptjQgV4uf_VLRlhSfZp06r04N2jN5JXNhepdQT8Un2Ow5SL_EkfnsKH3cyT9zKdK_vef97YU3w2A/s250/Labour%20Housing%20Group.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k6gqUyLopahSfQ4sdyYI1ETZA4jgUERuMg9fXTfgr-_kiQgNBcdI9-CkVVfW1KCXR0cz09PcGavd1fRPlF-SP195SmnbkLnq-R6cSdSqnCptjQgV4uf_VLRlhSfZp06r04N2jN5JXNhepdQT8Un2Ow5SL_EkfnsKH3cyT9zKdK_vef97YU3w2A/w400-h400/Labour%20Housing%20Group.webp" width="400" /></a></div> "<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">We
have unfortunately come to the view that the ballot for the EC needs to be
rerun, as it became clear that some voters had abused the system.</span><p></p><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The list of voters will be the same as were eligible to vote on the first
occasion and the candidates are the same as in the original ballot.<br />
<br />
Please find the list of candidates <a href="https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/Ck1OCwjQ1tDG7KXs132wK?domain=facebook.us18.list-manage.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #007c89;">here</span></a>.<br />
The attendance record for current Executive Committee members standing for
re-election is <a href="https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/lkMICxGRgF21ykKCWD0nZ?domain=facebook.us18.list-manage.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #007c89;">here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
We have partnered with Anonyvoter for this election, you will receive an
email from them with a link to vote shortly. Make sure you check your spam
folder.<br />
<br />
If you didn't receive a ballot and think you should have done, please contact <a href="mailto:LHGadmin@labourhousing.org">LHGadmin@labourhousing.org</a>.<br />
<br />
The closing time for your vote is <strong>5pm
on Friday 8<sup>th</sup> March.</strong><br />
<strong>Please use
your votes!"</strong></span><div><span style="color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>I posted </b></span></span></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><a href="https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2024/03/labour-housing-group-executive.html">https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2024/03/labour-housing-group-executive.html</a></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">JG "I have just voted in the </span><a href="https://labourhousing.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #992211; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>LHG</b></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"> Executive elections for the following 10 candidates. Lot of very good people standing and apologies for those I have not voted for on this occasion. </span><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><span style="background-color: #c6d1e7; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">You may only vote if you are both a member of LHG and a member of the Labour Party.</span><br /><p></p><br /><b>Sheila Spencer,<br /><br />John Cotton,<br /><br />Ross Houston,<br /><br />Heather Johnson,<br /><br />Christopher Worrall,<br /><br />Paul Martin,<br /><br />Andy Bates<br /><br />Alison Inman.<br /><br />Adam Allnut<br /><br />Asma Islam"</b></div><span style="color: #202020;">
<br />
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<!--[endif]--></span></div>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-38309074224262552572024-03-06T23:23:00.003+00:002024-03-06T23:23:50.696+00:00Out for a meal with two Hackney Comrades<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsME3nIol309zWeAYhTi2IxUlisJ1fk-IkLtmQXEsWwzfdmu2BN150lFMkcrGG8DHRfNhFjp7b47HrNrAF8VezmAGxtRcpBragxOLDyKfqG8h2DKrVhMiRq3wkMAldCm91rMi6UDUm9bg2yE_fI3edtuIul6VvgTYKHD9h-Eg80_qIt1hWultkg/s600/Cllr%20Maxwell%20and%20Dave%20Osler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="600" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsME3nIol309zWeAYhTi2IxUlisJ1fk-IkLtmQXEsWwzfdmu2BN150lFMkcrGG8DHRfNhFjp7b47HrNrAF8VezmAGxtRcpBragxOLDyKfqG8h2DKrVhMiRq3wkMAldCm91rMi6UDUm9bg2yE_fI3edtuIul6VvgTYKHD9h-Eg80_qIt1hWultkg/w640-h550/Cllr%20Maxwell%20and%20Dave%20Osler.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Back from a great meal in Evin, Kingsland High Street, E8 and political discussion (aka mostly gossip) with my Hackney Comrades, Yvonne Maxwell and Dave Osler. <p></p><p>Yvonne and I, are your no nonsense, Labour "sell out" reformists, while Dave is more from the purist (but knows it will never happen) tradition. </p><p>I first met Dave and Yvonne during our extraordinary battles against our weird and wonderful<a href="https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2011/06/draft-defamation-bill-scrutiny-and.html"><b> libel actions</b></a></p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-21857309229903115042024-03-05T21:17:00.002+00:002024-03-05T21:17:15.515+00:00Newham Voices March 24: the worth of West Ham Park<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P_tElgpupVHiZgZAwBQP4GV1ezq2U1QphOgAjlU3XvybTFlirS8gWP8kxTF8YWK6yT1Mw-nU8fa8b-l3VzwAr_xdpNN1SKVBCQAni1_keWAZGjD-VBGUr3UnyU-hBOZ2t7WhXGKH29CrRV3k_-Mt2aHhf01DVPUpnf8XF_0cU-SGNVAeaeORlw/s839/Newham%20Voices%20March%2024%20-%20West%20Ham%20Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P_tElgpupVHiZgZAwBQP4GV1ezq2U1QphOgAjlU3XvybTFlirS8gWP8kxTF8YWK6yT1Mw-nU8fa8b-l3VzwAr_xdpNN1SKVBCQAni1_keWAZGjD-VBGUr3UnyU-hBOZ2t7WhXGKH29CrRV3k_-Mt2aHhf01DVPUpnf8XF_0cU-SGNVAeaeORlw/w488-h640/Newham%20Voices%20March%2024%20-%20West%20Ham%20Park.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>I have just enjoyed reading the online version of our community newspaper "<a href="https://newhamvoices.co.uk/membership/">Newham Voices</a>". A eclectic mix of local news, politics, arts, sports, notices, history and even fashion hints. <p></p><p>I enjoyed this calculation of the worth of the lovely West Ham Park. A Spring walk in the Park is definitely one of my favourites places to be. </p><p>Check out <a href="https://newhamvoices.co.uk/"><b>Newham Voices</b></a> website and subscribe, donate, advertise or volunteer to help out. <a href="https://newhamvoices.co.uk/membership/"><b>https://newhamvoices.co.uk/membership/</b></a></p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-73143905328225205102024-03-04T21:24:00.002+00:002024-03-04T21:24:58.405+00:00"Sadiq Has Frozen Your Fares"<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFU4xPXW_MvW4K3XUynin-XktXCF5BQdnOUsZ7eyuEbnLkzUFa3U3jVJurr0wgwtOksO2tMwgjkdAVsOWPgI3Z6kiZgK5-nadSTX4dTkI5dMidOXXnehwQO1AC1HXT30ubJjp_6aR_wzwGHY_E-dwaM_7wMwqUslex70gjSdOPgWh_gctFqPAKQ/s1200/Sadiq%20Khan%20for%20Labour%20Mayor%20-%20frozed%20tfl%20fares%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFU4xPXW_MvW4K3XUynin-XktXCF5BQdnOUsZ7eyuEbnLkzUFa3U3jVJurr0wgwtOksO2tMwgjkdAVsOWPgI3Z6kiZgK5-nadSTX4dTkI5dMidOXXnehwQO1AC1HXT30ubJjp_6aR_wzwGHY_E-dwaM_7wMwqUslex70gjSdOPgWh_gctFqPAKQ/w640-h480/Sadiq%20Khan%20for%20Labour%20Mayor%20-%20frozed%20tfl%20fares%202024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After work this evening together with activists across London, we leafleted local railway stations with these flyers pointing out that Sadaq had frozen fares for the 5th time! <p></p><p>While the Tories have allowed fares to rise by 4.9% elsewhere. Together with free school meals and the largest number of council homes built in London since the 1970s, Sadiq policies are making a massive difference to ordinary Londoners struggling with the cost of living crisis. </p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-20068695017235564502024-03-03T22:03:00.001+00:002024-03-04T08:16:47.364+00:00London Labour Conference 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYjqmRqPl-e4O3RVdYJVVOupme8gyQjZFQXaVCdBH0_KnfVQq1QbnShvmy59q_tv5_wt8YtsLsd_UTGsjiqCog5SpEv5byS7lAEgOCIkvhkPjtHHXLd9mteQKfo_JyxrVsjlr-OKeUX2mcQbeuCAAAdv9twqC4l1oA2F9t3feNsh47FSOfVFNgg/s1200/London%20Labour%20Conference%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYjqmRqPl-e4O3RVdYJVVOupme8gyQjZFQXaVCdBH0_KnfVQq1QbnShvmy59q_tv5_wt8YtsLsd_UTGsjiqCog5SpEv5byS7lAEgOCIkvhkPjtHHXLd9mteQKfo_JyxrVsjlr-OKeUX2mcQbeuCAAAdv9twqC4l1oA2F9t3feNsh47FSOfVFNgg/w640-h480/London%20Labour%20Conference%202024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Recovering from a busy weekend at the London Labour annual conference, as a UNISON Labour Link delegate. I arrived late on Saturday due to advice surgery commitment and missed keynote speakers David Lammy MP and Ellie Reeves MP. <p></p><p>The venue was packed and a large number of stalls outside conference hall. There was definitely a positive conference buzz but also a recognition that the London Mayoral and GLA election in May (only 60 days away) will be tough and bloody since the Tories have resorted to the sewer in a desperate bid to avoid defeat. The Forthcoming General election will be equally vile. </p><p>During lunch there was a great fringe organised by Labour Unions on the "New Deal for Working Parties" commitment. Our UNISON regional secretary, Jo Galloway, took part in the panel debate. </p><p>Later there was another very interesting panel debate on AI and I asked the question that while I am not a luddite and welcome most technological change, there is a genuine real concern about AI being used to replace human face to face contact (I am a housing officer and there is a move to not meet residents in person but instead communicate via email and telephone) and that many back office workers face job insecurity from AI. We must have a "Just transition" and protect vulnerable workers. </p><p>I also attended a useful seminar on election campaigning, there is a new script for door knocking and look forward to trying it out. </p><p>The outstanding item yesterday was the speech to conference by London Mayor, Sadiq Khan. He arrived with no fanfare and started speaking to delegates and shaking hands (and being asked to pose for many selfies!) - See main picture in collage. The London Labour Movement "love" for Sadiq, was to me, pretty obvious. The many dreadful and disgusting comments made against him in recent days by senior Tories must have taken their toll on him and his family, but he is fighting back and gave a passionate and rousing speech which inspired and enthused conference. </p><p>After conference there was a fund raising dinner with further speeches and the inevitable Labour raffle, where I continued with my run of luck in these events, by winning the book "Tribes" by David Lammy MP, which I look forward to reading. </p><p>Conference started at 9am this morning (Sunday) and for some reason I needed lots of coffee to keep me up to speed. </p><p>There was a number of great debates and speeches (including another panel debate on the importance of "New Deal"). I enjoyed the good humoured and intelligent presentation by Sadiq's campaign manager Matthew Greenough, (Known apparently in London circles as "Welsh Matt", who to my extreme pleasure, repeated a famous saying by St David in Welsh)</p><p>He was also in another panel debate on the GLA election, where I asked the question should we respond to the awful and disgusting racist comments, by trolls that are made on nearly every tweet Sadiq makes? He said "no", it will just amplify these hateful messages which is what they want and instead concentrate on the many positive things that Sadiq is doing to improve the everyday lives of Londoners. </p><p>Later GLA London Labour Group Leader, Len Duvall, spoke about the "Battle of Ideas" that is going on in this campaign, while the closing speech was by local MP, Rushanara Ali, who called out the "Shame of the desperate Talking talking down her Borough...no longer is there "dog whistle" politics, it's now a fog horn"</p><p>There was a number of other fantastic contributions by many other speakers and delegates that I haven't listed. </p><p>My final comment is to thank the London affiliated unions for electing me to the London Labour Party Regional Executive Committee, which I look forward to serving upon. </p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-46334521160623847582024-03-01T22:24:00.003+00:002024-03-01T22:29:24.325+00:00Labour Housing Group Executive Elections 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcbj6Sx3dv9Ko9QsWQiyp3a1xGjKjTu4Fz6xAcK8j8DAKxeJs9k3mYVaTI8CKrSZEkO56kTHNzmR67iIpFamsy4JENAMe0sIbCsH_sNoViRRS7q5eneb5_yUgxHTF8u-pH9ZS6oSdYdYmiq8uCRhjPdIxibN-U3Emwq2L-u26IiItWch4LQxIsg/s225/Labour%20Housing%20Group.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcbj6Sx3dv9Ko9QsWQiyp3a1xGjKjTu4Fz6xAcK8j8DAKxeJs9k3mYVaTI8CKrSZEkO56kTHNzmR67iIpFamsy4JENAMe0sIbCsH_sNoViRRS7q5eneb5_yUgxHTF8u-pH9ZS6oSdYdYmiq8uCRhjPdIxibN-U3Emwq2L-u26IiItWch4LQxIsg/w400-h400/Labour%20Housing%20Group.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I have just voted in the <a href="https://labourhousing.org/"><b>LHG</b></a> Executive elections for the following 10 candidates. Lot of very good people standing and apologies for those I have not voted for on this occasion. <div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: #c6d1e7; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">You may only vote if you are both a member of LHG and a member of the Labour Party.</span><br /><p></p><br /><b>Sheila Spencer, <br /><br />John Cotton, <br /><br />Ross Houston, <br /><br />Heather Johnson, <br /><br />Christopher Worrall, <br /><br />Paul Martin,<br /><br /> Andy Bates <br /><br />Alison Inman. <br /><br />Adam Allnut<br /><br />Asma Islam</b></div>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-9275198195747072242024-03-01T09:40:00.007+00:002024-03-01T20:45:53.755+00:00Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus: Happy St Davids Day<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfnPnmaIX3zn0r6bCgSZGmXLlQS7A-0NXBk9zqDS6LbY05oWd03P5qRwxoBXYGYVOaGv1xzjANue2w7kX4s7Iy2Cq6X3dc7nxNjGKis1l0pfOcUQd-3qrTdA4eAFc81_LPnO1PBIqXpFADsWg76DfZ4ByXohsbyGw77AYw6a8KsiSWIhLlNJW5g/s800/St-Davids-Day-Event-Calendar-.png.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfnPnmaIX3zn0r6bCgSZGmXLlQS7A-0NXBk9zqDS6LbY05oWd03P5qRwxoBXYGYVOaGv1xzjANue2w7kX4s7Iy2Cq6X3dc7nxNjGKis1l0pfOcUQd-3qrTdA4eAFc81_LPnO1PBIqXpFADsWg76DfZ4ByXohsbyGw77AYw6a8KsiSWIhLlNJW5g/w640-h400/St-Davids-Day-Event-Calendar-.png.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Thank you to the Tesco delivery driver who brought to my door turnip, parsnips, carrots and massive leeks despite the pouring rain for my Cawl this evening. Just need to get the neck of lamb and Caerphilly cheese. <p></p><div><br /></div><div>UPDATE: Yum</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWu9pZIyHmkfYBaoDVWbCdD0HV43kTnha6VgxY88heNJWegy7GZwmDOOBATZAA-8JhZN25jkeUDsFyOkp4qIje3S_T7fMhSSzifguKOd5k0rQilkp69XKY9TZNBX9qUfUJuExLerbbubQmKVCmLHiZfxLAEOmhJYVK4G7blckO4H4yThuXVNS_iA/s1200/St%20Davids%20Day%20Cawl%2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWu9pZIyHmkfYBaoDVWbCdD0HV43kTnha6VgxY88heNJWegy7GZwmDOOBATZAA-8JhZN25jkeUDsFyOkp4qIje3S_T7fMhSSzifguKOd5k0rQilkp69XKY9TZNBX9qUfUJuExLerbbubQmKVCmLHiZfxLAEOmhJYVK4G7blckO4H4yThuXVNS_iA/w640-h480/St%20Davids%20Day%20Cawl%2024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-6041445378410666202024-02-28T22:01:00.001+00:002024-02-28T22:01:07.503+00:00#LondonForEveryone | A Message For All Londoners<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/hywy0USIxVA?si=krUXZV1WP3k66fmt" width="480"></iframe><div>Tonight there was a briefing for all London Labour Councillors by our Mayor, Sadiq Khan. I sadly missed most of it due to trade union case work. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sadiq's team have retweeted this great video about his recent message to all Londoners. When we have racist and islamophobic MPs attacking London and spreading lies, it is really good to have our mayor "<i>tell it as it really is"</i>.</div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); color: #131313; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div>"<i>A message for all Londoners: Whatever walk of life you come from, if you live in London, you're a Londoner, and this will always be your home. It’s so important that we remind everyone of the value of our shared ties and experiences during these difficult times. Our diversity truly is our greatest strength—because we all make London. Find out more about our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/londonforeveryone">#LondonForEveryone</a> campaign: <br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkpEcW1xZVdmVE9zVmc5eC1yaWdBWmswN2hXZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuamxIR2lUTmI0aE4tT0QxYTBpcjZoQkFUSEowOHBYdUhlV2tieGdOeTJvZ2hDc09rWHpZeDlpNElGWS1PV1lfWkxoNmdyNkthenUtNEJVLUZpNEJtN01UQTdjQ0plSHZWUUxvc0dESWNRZUpJMDVsSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.london.gov.uk%2Fprogrammes-strategies%2Fcommunities-and-social-justice%2Flondon-for-everyone&v=hywy0USIxVA">https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-...</a>"</i>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-58993212754807197402024-02-27T23:19:00.003+00:002024-02-28T08:24:12.271+00:00Thank you from UNISON & Good Luck to Jamie Dickinson in the Labour Party!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UKLhNs7Y8nMgYrmByF3kTiS_PlAEyJNtuAJW0dGaDtFNlJJ5m8nOSm5bYGe9FOfc_KYte3gY2WaY-NiHZJRblXcAqzdO6dL2D9lOJ5Tb-MQUGvYboqMd2CmG-bnY84ODFVY4WV-bVdZKOgh8O_fowrtIoUNuEv8UdxaWnokz8dmfi-pLviP0Tw/s2048/JamieDickinson%20leaving%20do.jpeg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="2048" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UKLhNs7Y8nMgYrmByF3kTiS_PlAEyJNtuAJW0dGaDtFNlJJ5m8nOSm5bYGe9FOfc_KYte3gY2WaY-NiHZJRblXcAqzdO6dL2D9lOJ5Tb-MQUGvYboqMd2CmG-bnY84ODFVY4WV-bVdZKOgh8O_fowrtIoUNuEv8UdxaWnokz8dmfi-pLviP0Tw/w640-h336/JamieDickinson%20leaving%20do.jpeg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>There was a lovely informal "leaving do" this evening in the Unison centre for our former UNISON activist and national officer, Jamie Dickinson (front centre) . Jamie supported our International and Labour Link Committees. He is leaving UNISON to join the Labour Party. <p></p><p>I have known Jamie since he was a young activist in UNISON and lately, as a member of UNISON National Labour Link Committee, I have appreciated his officer support to us and also his enormous everyday cheerfulness and enthusiasm. </p><p>UNISON's loss is the Labour Party's gain. </p><p>I have no doubt he will be doing more than his bit as a Labour staffer to win the next general election. </p><p>It was great to see our former General Secretary, Dave Prentis here to thank and wish Jamie farewell. </p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-36517345811334852462024-02-26T22:22:00.005+00:002024-02-26T22:22:57.868+00:00Sarah Chapman House - Matchgirl Striker <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRk466miuIDdek74QzuUHAkV7i9OPXrRlbpXqw8LLpqItGjqnboGmNyiHbt58zTwPFnWkX5QT2Oxz6hpt1NkaN9iyB0Dv38Uj34_AUeWEuewq_zqQO06jkWONzoyIA20cAa-ceGvu3jDbqQ28kT6rhoC3f0X9z6vAeOzy-QZRBoaVnXGKk2wGn7w/s1200/Sarah%20Chapman%20House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRk466miuIDdek74QzuUHAkV7i9OPXrRlbpXqw8LLpqItGjqnboGmNyiHbt58zTwPFnWkX5QT2Oxz6hpt1NkaN9iyB0Dv38Uj34_AUeWEuewq_zqQO06jkWONzoyIA20cAa-ceGvu3jDbqQ28kT6rhoC3f0X9z6vAeOzy-QZRBoaVnXGKk2wGn7w/w640-h480/Sarah%20Chapman%20House.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This lunch time I attended the opening ceremony for a newly built community space and block of Council flats in Bow, Tower Hamlets. The block has been named after the Matchgirl Striker, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Chapman"><b>Sarah Chapman</b></a>. <br /><p></p><p>She was one of the leaders of the successful strike over fines and working conditions in 1888 at the Bryant & May Match factory in Bow. </p><p>"<i>Chapman and others involved in the strike have since been recognised as "pioneers of sex equality and fairness at work who left a lasting legacy on the trade union movement".<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Chapman#cite_note-:1-4">[4]</a></i></p><p>It was great to meet in person and speak at long last to Sarah's great granddaughter, Sam Johnson and her husband Graham, who together with over relatives, supporters and local residents have formed the Charity "The Matchmaker Memorial". The Tower Hamlets Mayor, Lufter Rahman attended as did local Councillor, Asma Begum. </p><p>Sarah is buried in a privately owned cemetery in Manor Park Newham and I was able to speak to residents who had also come to support the campaign.</p><p>After some words of welcome and explanation by Sam we were treated to some songs by a wonderful singer (whose name I sadly missed) dressed in period costume. I particularly enjoyed :-</p><p>"<i>The Matchgirls' Song"</i></p><p><i>We'll hang old Bryant on a sour apple tree..</i>.(see full wording in photo)</p><p>(to the tune of "<i>John Brown's Body</i>").</p><p>By coincidence, many years ago I used to occasionally work in the old Housing office (Lanfranc) that used to be on this site. </p><p>I shall look forward to the memorial headstone to Sarah being laid in the Manor Park cemetery as soon as is possible. </p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-73867590234004615982024-02-25T20:36:00.005+00:002024-02-25T21:33:33.339+00:00Colne Valley Wildlife Walk 24.2.24<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLv9Iu_Q2WP6X0sYymm_5GnxaS6MEvF2Dlt3yrm4_0XRYAWhBoI6lWMzZdx9WYuRpV2BH1Wj2DDYtjB0I0vQmnhsCUofP6gpfe_XQrw5TuK6AZCV-TCmPx1PKbBhJcwZ8WiiZtqUhsR9irGreLiL4niEkFA-7QUTu2PcWqpgBpki5USI5Y05byw/s1200/Colne%20Valley%20Wildlife%2024.2.24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLv9Iu_Q2WP6X0sYymm_5GnxaS6MEvF2Dlt3yrm4_0XRYAWhBoI6lWMzZdx9WYuRpV2BH1Wj2DDYtjB0I0vQmnhsCUofP6gpfe_XQrw5TuK6AZCV-TCmPx1PKbBhJcwZ8WiiZtqUhsR9irGreLiL4niEkFA-7QUTu2PcWqpgBpki5USI5Y05byw/w640-h480/Colne%20Valley%20Wildlife%2024.2.24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Yesterday morning I went to a consultation on a proposed LTN in my ward then taking advantage of a better weather forecast for Saturday compared to Sunday travelled with Gill by TFL trains to Rickmansworth. This circular 6.2 mile walk is listed in the book "More Great Chiltern Walks". </p><p>It was an amazing walk and I was astonished at the size and number of the lakes (former gravel pits). We had lunch first at the Park cafe then started the walk around Bury Lake but found recent heavy rain had meant that many footpaths were closed or impassable due to flooding. We both had gaters above our boots but this was serious "welly" territory and we had to alter our course. We had to go along the south side of Stockers Lake (a wonderful nature reserve - see main picture) rather than the north. </p><p>We passed a sign indicating that a camera had been placed overlooking a Gray Heron nest and you could check out the progress of the nesting and next month hopefully see the chicks. At the moment you can only see the parents taking turns to sitting and incubating the 3 eggs that have been laid. Check out <a href="https://www.fosl.org.uk/"><b>https://www.fosl.org.uk/</b></a>n for the live feed. </p><p>We kept being warned by walkers coming from the opposite direction that the path ahead was impassable without Wellies. We chanced our arm but found it was too deep to keep going. However, some local children living on boats moored at the nearby Grand Union Canal had built a bridge (of sorts) which we were able to cross and continue the walk along the canal.</p><p>We walked along the canal for a while then left it near a World War 2 Pill box and tried to walk around Springwell Lake. We got most of the way around but had to retreat when we found the path totally submerged. Time was now pressing so we took the short route back along the canal into park. We will come back another day to finish it (when it is not so wet!) but it was still a lovely walk and well recommended. </p><p>Stopped off at the Rickmansworth Spoons for a quick pint of Doombar then train back (about 1 hour 30 mins). More photos on <a href="t"><b>walks around London Facebook page</b></a>. </p><p></p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-15798600723912355872024-02-24T20:38:00.006+00:002024-02-24T20:38:58.253+00:00LABOUR Stands with UKRAINE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkXMtijC5vttuqp13zZaFnZCBHuUDnREMyTQLPZ7iXiwzi0LmH17JkdsdNARGvKP23-IszGtvtb4Fy1qVjYoe9gPE5iRGCja_FoSvrBhZ4xR9c65t-TgowcURjkELeW6FIW9wj1DPRncOQ-OJTMd73hybvajTip4YfCKOfYQ5XrJ3_0n2e5Xcww/s1350/Labour%20stands%20with%20Ukraine%20on%202nd%20anniversary%20of%20invasionv2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkXMtijC5vttuqp13zZaFnZCBHuUDnREMyTQLPZ7iXiwzi0LmH17JkdsdNARGvKP23-IszGtvtb4Fy1qVjYoe9gPE5iRGCja_FoSvrBhZ4xR9c65t-TgowcURjkELeW6FIW9wj1DPRncOQ-OJTMd73hybvajTip4YfCKOfYQ5XrJ3_0n2e5Xcww/w512-h640/Labour%20stands%20with%20Ukraine%20on%202nd%20anniversary%20of%20invasionv2024.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />It is good to see the support by Labour Leader, <a href="https://twitter.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1761367666755764644"><b>Keir Starmer</b></a> <br /><br />"The second anniversary of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine reminds us of the strength, resilience, and courage of the Ukrainian people.Our thoughts today are with those who have lost their lives, their homes and their loved ones. Labour will always stand with Ukraine".<br /><br />and Shadow Defence Secretary, <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnHealey_MP/status/1761330131912777968"><b>John Healey</b></a>. <br /><br />"Labour is proud to have stood with Kyiv since day one. On Britain’s military help to Ukraine, the Government has had – and will continue to have – our fullest support. Today, on the second anniversary of Putin’s illegal invasion, the UK is united in its support for Ukraine".<p></p><p> </p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-56701153055387136002024-02-23T20:14:00.002+00:002024-02-23T20:14:44.068+00:00There may be trouble ahead: Join UNISON<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCfoNZGJ7rHG-zsulZ1DWfQL_4a8XVHdFlrALqKZfxrfIbJFP-YpPRsfFa4UT0K-Bs2uguEh5OidM13aEByBEkrOtQmM4vIcVQjksc9sJojGSr2TVzSVeusQpfciUFQLcUXVKzaBxdVShk1TXeYtLcvTopxL10wCBpHVT1aFtBFp2SO8r0jRSRw/s2048/there%20may%20be%20troube%20ahead%20Notts%20County%20unison%20Feb%2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCfoNZGJ7rHG-zsulZ1DWfQL_4a8XVHdFlrALqKZfxrfIbJFP-YpPRsfFa4UT0K-Bs2uguEh5OidM13aEByBEkrOtQmM4vIcVQjksc9sJojGSr2TVzSVeusQpfciUFQLcUXVKzaBxdVShk1TXeYtLcvTopxL10wCBpHVT1aFtBFp2SO8r0jRSRw/w640-h640/there%20may%20be%20troube%20ahead%20Notts%20County%20unison%20Feb%2024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Hat tip <a href="https://twitter.com/NottsUnison/status/1760613813479436409"><b>Notts UNISON</b></a> and their excellent Comms Officer(s) <br /><br />"PLEASE JOIN UNISON BEFORE YOU NEED US. We can't represent you for your first 4 weeks after joining #1, but we can offer advice to our new members. So, in an increasingly insecure world of work, you can never know for certain when you could need us and your fellow UNISON members to help with work related issues etc.<p></p><p><br />YOU DON'T HAVE TO FACE THE MUSIC ON YOUR OWN! Join UNISON, and we'll all be singing from the same hymn sheet".<br /><a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.unison.org.uk%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0tjIaqCiSwNqCT5njTp5IbW5XzTtgd9eQp4HgyIk40VMnOhPIkLwAgG4M&h=AT0rr7d-gLw_-qT1LHimvmyKCRNvupvc_D0fphWUZoxkxJQlKIu5Z4iR_oHWdoNFRHHHisOPVRcShVFIuzWZFEZFPlmd_9yvJtQIIauSMB7FgtVRlXXUsKPvkxABPBN9GQ&__tn__=-UK*F&c[0]=AT2L8B_5o3VdwVhqI6CPcBE_G3P4mJerGIPWJmP12ku94FjIx7eivkxfd30hErY3agszDsqF6nES7hdufboz50TayUa0pU19sX9YCaVBjsKogitlmuu-zrEKifgV-eDGOdLyQQnYxP4MRDKwZJ0nq2E-7uapzl_k4ur3Zwfye9dL-FeSK12acUsZDsB45EQWYM6422U75nDiyg">https://join.unison.org.uk/</a><br /><br />(#1 Normally, nor for any issue that began before this date as well - I use to work as a barman in a dodgy nightclub in Edinburgh many,many years ago and the DJ used to play this song every night as the last track)</p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-81357885287924243242024-02-22T23:30:00.001+00:002024-02-23T00:06:38.263+00:00What a good idea! Encourage tenants to downsize & free up family homes<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoxp1UfU81C3QV2TlgQso1fK1TyWRsEffwUXzCKoebjGfVN6kG5k5zDCBOCeSLfOghXE8AwXyXMj9oplf2OCVyJNzRK75enWr7JNgnChiLU5srXGH8ecwVotxsyBvLZCISMERrwn0zSF0N6CJwU0deiMSOq2KCsPdIdRhQZsLZKVwKQq4nP62eg/s4032/20240216_135352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoxp1UfU81C3QV2TlgQso1fK1TyWRsEffwUXzCKoebjGfVN6kG5k5zDCBOCeSLfOghXE8AwXyXMj9oplf2OCVyJNzRK75enWr7JNgnChiLU5srXGH8ecwVotxsyBvLZCISMERrwn0zSF0N6CJwU0deiMSOq2KCsPdIdRhQZsLZKVwKQq4nP62eg/w480-h640/20240216_135352.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Not a new idea but pleased about offer to Newham Council tenants of a brand new home in a over 55s block at a rent no higher than their current rent. Too often while canvassing I come across elderly tenants in family sized homes whose children have grown up and left. <p></p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-89668107967172241152024-02-21T23:55:00.001+00:002024-02-21T23:55:27.413+00:00UNISON Housing Association Branch AGM 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2McpBl0QraADrY3cXVlBAKXZsTWwkfdiuFhTJPQI7unJSADREDnrfL7WFWaPw0GyQOBsyq9ebo7U4C-ti8pemel4MEnEwgASUw9dPgOG15LqEW536gZOPFEmvHgnRcotnolOFzIWl8HUpyfPOMrpqYuCOh39oowQyq4ly6nZcXdWpzWwGLsOCyA/s720/unison%20AGM%202024.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="720" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2McpBl0QraADrY3cXVlBAKXZsTWwkfdiuFhTJPQI7unJSADREDnrfL7WFWaPw0GyQOBsyq9ebo7U4C-ti8pemel4MEnEwgASUw9dPgOG15LqEW536gZOPFEmvHgnRcotnolOFzIWl8HUpyfPOMrpqYuCOh39oowQyq4ly6nZcXdWpzWwGLsOCyA/w640-h208/unison%20AGM%202024.png.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>At tonight's Branch Executive Committee meeting we discussed planning for our AGM. The email below has been sent to all of our 3000 plus members.<br /><br />"Dear Member, <br /><br />Due to the Easter Weekend, the UNISON Housing Association Branch AGM 2024 has been moved to Wednesday 27th March, 2024.<br /> <br /> Further details of exact time and location will follow in the coming weeks. <br /> <br /> If you are interested in: <br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>joining the Branch Executive Team as Branch Officer or General Committee Member for 2024 </li><li>proposing a change to Branch Rules </li><li>putting forward a Branch motion </li></ul><br />Please fill in the attached form and submit to <a href="mailto:AGM.Admin@unisonhablondon.org">AGM.Admin@unisonhablondon.org</a><br /> by 8:00pm on Tuesday, 26th March 2024.<br /> <br /> If you have any questions regarding Branch Officer positions, or any other matters relating to the AGM, please contact:<br /><br /> <a href="mailto:branchsecretary@unisonhablondon.org">branchsecretary@unisonhablondon.org</a><br /> <br />Kind regards, <br /> <br /> Chris Milson<br /> Branch Secretary<br /> UNISON Housing Associations Branch<p></p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-77591832432035281842024-02-20T21:50:00.000+00:002024-02-20T21:50:16.343+00:00Ealing Labour x Swindon Labour Party Fundraiser 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_grDNSDToJIzhmPU4f8n9YPXJI3WZgsQnezBvVYOytSyoUKEhXlTgJDCPYzaFJksnCFZSIlZ68wE5JW2f8rQBjtGSGq31GPrfYYweMVERKA6wGNMIikxvizxndzhCB8ASkDgeiXA2_YAYLHVU8uQmiqODh3yxluzZKfwW55aMbXcBWRdy3hh9CQ/s1200/Ealing%20labour%20fund%20raiser%20for%20Swindon%2018.2.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_grDNSDToJIzhmPU4f8n9YPXJI3WZgsQnezBvVYOytSyoUKEhXlTgJDCPYzaFJksnCFZSIlZ68wE5JW2f8rQBjtGSGq31GPrfYYweMVERKA6wGNMIikxvizxndzhCB8ASkDgeiXA2_YAYLHVU8uQmiqODh3yxluzZKfwW55aMbXcBWRdy3hh9CQ/w640-h480/Ealing%20labour%20fund%20raiser%20for%20Swindon%2018.2.24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />On Sunday I went with UNISON Labour Link colleagues to a fundraising dinner in Ealing. It was packed and extremely well organised. The <a href="Royal Nawaab Perivale">food and service</a> was also excellent. It was great to meet and catch up with Labour and union friends. After speeches there was the inevitable Labour auction and raffle! <p></p><p>Good luck to the many Labour candidates there who are standing for the GLA or winnable Parliament seats. </p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-84985230983058655032024-02-19T22:17:00.001+00:002024-02-20T22:21:24.009+00:00Labour Leader Keir Starmer with Gen Kitchen MP & Damien Egan MP<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55HZMODrqQgjT4svZLJjauLoGzMOYj_sHjberDqTZhX2TaWznqTzoqOUoVwwGoppOjrkHAj8gbsNooZiHcK8IxPhVZDk1w9HEru1ZuW6Th6YI3Pi1gu__qNA8bgROJphtOOEa4wsNBox_Yt502Kveuz4pSekWm5C1189OUBWk2f6JG60acPdqYg/s1200/Keir%20Starmer%20with%20Gen%20Kitchen%20MP%20&%20Damien%20Egan%20MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55HZMODrqQgjT4svZLJjauLoGzMOYj_sHjberDqTZhX2TaWznqTzoqOUoVwwGoppOjrkHAj8gbsNooZiHcK8IxPhVZDk1w9HEru1ZuW6Th6YI3Pi1gu__qNA8bgROJphtOOEa4wsNBox_Yt502Kveuz4pSekWm5C1189OUBWk2f6JG60acPdqYg/w640-h640/Keir%20Starmer%20with%20Gen%20Kitchen%20MP%20&%20Damien%20Egan%20MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> What a fantastic picture. Very proud of Gen and Damien. <p></p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-6819203841965132392024-02-17T21:23:00.000+00:002024-02-17T21:23:00.544+00:00Capital Ring Walk 3. Grove Park to Crystal Palace<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZlqbUHxochSshjFmR-L1kshGFWxmtHA0_urXy5Hn5EibE2bHsDtzpZYWtL2DpQsC08HxCvVhdKbhGr75sVK7xq4zodw2HeSC_6AtjmKN9XMobmu3alkW3SR19OqNQuPCKku6v-vQ8OE6p_sv5maPijtelhtfDvck8_O14erTMENHMuCHVRtCMg/s1200/London%20Ring%20Grove%20Park%20to%20Crystal%20Palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZlqbUHxochSshjFmR-L1kshGFWxmtHA0_urXy5Hn5EibE2bHsDtzpZYWtL2DpQsC08HxCvVhdKbhGr75sVK7xq4zodw2HeSC_6AtjmKN9XMobmu3alkW3SR19OqNQuPCKku6v-vQ8OE6p_sv5maPijtelhtfDvck8_O14erTMENHMuCHVRtCMg/w640-h640/London%20Ring%20Grove%20Park%20to%20Crystal%20Palace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Today Gill and I continued with our journey around London via the <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/capital-ring">Capital Ring walk</a>. We had started off in Woolwich during November and will hopefully finish 78 miles later in Beckton (not in one go!).<p></p><p>It took us about 1 hour to get to Grove Park (bus to Stratford since Lizzie line down, change Jubilee to London Bridge then over head to Grove Park). Route is 7.7 miles with extra 0.5 miles from station to start. </p><p>The walk was mostly going through London suburbia but there were a number of parks and greenways. Highlight was Beckenham Place Park which had ancient forests and trails, wide open spaces and is a wonderful green lung for London. I enjoyed there a tasty (but somewhat pricey) egg, bacon and tomato roll with coffee. </p><p>The weather was quite warm for the time of year (quite a few people in shorts and even tee-shirts) but it was overcast and we were lucky it didn't rain. The early spring blossom and flowers were marvellous and a reminder of the good things to come. </p><p>It is a fairly long section of the ring walk but mostly flat with some up and downs. Lots of noisy Ring-necked Parakeets and squabbling grey squirrels. </p><p>In another park Gill chatted to a family about their naughty dog, which refused to respond to their repeated calls to return to them, instead enjoying drinking out of a very muddy puddle. She afterwards recognised him as the actor, Paul Ready, from the sitcom "Motherland" (Kevin). </p><p>At the end of the walk in the historic Crystal Palace, the kids seem to enjoy the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Palace_Dinosaurs">victorian statues of dinosaurs</a>. Despite being on the "at risk" register of English Heritage they seemed to be in fairly good condition considering they are around 170 years old. </p><p>The walk finished at the station and we took a similar trip back and are looking forward to our next leg, Crystal Palace to Streatham. </p>John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733583.post-31020356526555956592024-02-16T19:34:00.004+00:002024-02-16T19:34:26.763+00:00HeartUnion Blues 2024<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/uvNmZyGjv1g?si=U3LzE94VhUjKklGx" width="480"></iframe><div><a href="https://www.tuc.org.uk/about-heartunions-week?mc_cid=508dd5a34f&mc_eid=8ce896a98b"><b>Love Unions week</b></a> finishes on Sunday. In the meanwhile :-</div><div><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></strong></div>"Have a bit of musical fun, with deep political foundations And if you and all your trade union friends want to cheer yourselves up and give your politics a happy bounce in HeartUnions week, then watch TUC LESE <a href="https://tuc.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ebd004a8047907dc47d269fd1&id=0ce2024e84&e=8ce896a98b">HeartUnions Blues</a>"John Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269161145575667147noreply@blogger.com0