UNISON London Regional Council AGM 2011

This morning is my third Labour Movement AGM in less than a week.  I have at least 4 more before the end of the Month.  At the London Regional Council AGM, the forces of light and reason will be battling with those of the destructive left who wish to destroy any chance of building real unity in the movement against the cuts - for example they want to hand all powers over Council finances to highly paid Chief officers to do as they see fit. 

I think we need now more than ever a Sensible Left lay leadership in the region who can unite the union across all our Service Groups and face the coming challenges of cuts, privatisation, reorganisations and direct attacks on our union.  We need an experienced, successful and proven leadership who will put the union first.  

So support Gloria and her team.

Gloria Hanson - Regional Convenor
Conroy Lawrence - Deputy Regional Convenor
John Gray - Regional Finance Convenor
Monica Hirst - Regional Equalities Convenor
Lynn Bentley - Regional Publicity Officer
Emma Rolland - Regional Young Members Convenor

UPDATE: Victory for Sensible Left slate. Full sweep. Report to follow.

"St David's Day Massacre" UNISON Centre Left win London Labour Link

UNISON members win again in London Region Labour Link Elections announced today, 1 March 2007. Following the success in last month's UNISON Regional Council AGM, the "centre left" have again pretty much "swept the board".

In an election of all Greater London branches ,UNISON activists and Labour Party members Irene Stacey, Rachel Voller, Louise Couling, Theresa Debono, Alan Griffiths, John Gough, Bill Beeko and Ian Horrigan, Sam Selon and I were elected to Labour Link Regional committee.

Theresa, Irene, Louise, Sam, John (Gough), Bill and Ian were also elected to National Labour Link Forum, while Louise and I were elected as delegates to Labour Party conference.

All of us I am sure, congratulate the other successful candidates (Helen Martin, who was elected onto Regional committee and Pam Woods, who will be a Forum delegate). We will look forward to working with them and commiserations to those who were not elected.

Our elections statement stated "We believe that UNISON’s Labour Link payers’ views are best represented by those who place UNISON members’ interests first – above those of extreme political parties and factions. As active members of both UNISON and the Labour Party we are committed to improving communication between Labour Link members and those elected to represent them, making sure the voice of UNISON members is heard loud and clear."

I am certain that we all intend to live up to our mandate.

Hapus Dydd Dewi Sant (hope it was a Happy St Davids Day for you as well!)