Keir Starmer for Leader: Another Future is Possible - East London Members meeting

Yesterday I helped organise a meeting for Labour Party members and affiliates to meet Keir Starmer, at the Old Town Hall in Stratford.

In a packed meeting he was introduced by Newham Councillor, Susan Masters, who explained that she was proud to have been a Jeremy Corbyn supporter and now feels the time is right for Keir to be our next leader.

Keir spoke about his policies, his beliefs, his background and most important, his vision, if he is elected as Labour Leader. He reminded us that in this same town hall in 1892, his namesake Keir Hardie was declared as the first ever Labour MP.

Keir called for unity & end of factionalism in the Party. Voters will not elect a divided party.

Afterwards there was an extensive and wide ranging Q&A then East Ham MP, Stephen Timms, closed the event by posing the question that the next leader of the Labour Party must be the one who is best placed to defeat the Tories.

(great picture in collage of Hackney Councillor Yvonne Maxwell, me and her partner, the reluctant Starmzy and my Royal Court of Justice libel comrade, Dave Osland, with bust of original Keir) 

Love Hoxton! Yvonne Maxwell standing to be Labour Councillor for Hoxton West.

I was really pleased to hear that Yvonne has been selected to be the Labour Party candidate to replace the new Hackney Executive Mayor, Philip Granville, as a Councillor for Hoxton West.

I have known Yvonne for a number of years. Her partner, Dave Osland, and I got into a little bit of legal libel bother through our blogs and although we haven't always agreed on anything (who does?) she will make an excellent Councillor.

She has real politics and as a front line social worker, has a real understanding of the problems and issues that people face.

There is also a Newham connection, since Yvonne is the daughter of Doris Maxwell, who was a Councillor and Chair of Social Services in Newham (and the Labour Group Chief whip).

I will be joining her canvass session tomorrow 6pm-7.30pm at Junction of Murray Grove and New North Road, Hoxton. 55 New North Road, London N1 6JB. Old Street tube is only 5 minutes walk away. 

Me, Dave and the Royal Court of Justice result...

Picture from early on this evening  at the UNISON centre with my social media comrade, Dave Osland, enjoying some beers to celebrate another freedom of expression legal victory at the Royal Court of Justice.

Further details on the case will hopefully be blogged tomorrow.

Hat tip photo Stroppybird