"I am proud to be a trade unionist, to be a member of the Labour Party and to be a socialist"

Well said Dennis.

Dennis Skinner blasts latest UKIP Bigot

This clip cheered me up no end. Loved the bit about an "United Nations Heart". Well said Dennis :)

Lisa Nandy MP and John Cryer MP Fund Raiser

Picture from last week's Labour Party fund raising meal in Southwark for Lisa Nandy MP and John Cryer MP. 

It was a rare combination of an excellent meal, lots of table political debate (and the odd bit of juicy gossip) as well as some great speeches. 

Guest speakers were John Healey MP and Dennis Skinner MP with the traditional Labour Party auction led by the Daily Mirror's finest, Kevin McGuire.   The supporters were local Party members, affiliated unions, friends and family.

Dennis gave a typical barn storming speech.  He pointed out that in 1997 £33 Billion was spent on the NHS while in 2010 Labour spent £113 billion.  He is a survivor of Cancer and a Heart attack who would not be here now without the NHS.

He talked about the "Tribune Test".    He and John don't just disagree with the Tories but both of them detest them and what they do.

John Healey talked about how he use to manage 2000 people as Housing minister, however he is now ordering his own stationary and photocopying.  He notes that despite defeat the Labour Party has not turned amongst ourselves as the Tories did in 1997.  There is so much at stake and so much depends on us.  What the Tories did in 1980s with Utilites they will now do now with our public services. 

They are not making these cuts because they need to - it is because they want to.

Update: in the traditional Labour Party raffle I won "Change" by Barack Obama.

Notting Hill Strikers meet Karen Buck MP and Glenda Jackson MP at Parliament

Following on from the meeting on Tuesday with Housing minister John Healey and Notting Hill staff. On Thursday evening Karen Buck MP (Westminster North) and Glenda Jackson MP (Hampstead and Highgate) gave a reception at the House of Commons for UNISON members who live in their constituencies. This was to thank members for all their hard work in providing public services.

London UNISON Labour Link arranged for 4 Notting Hill Housing Trust members to attend in order to meet Karen and Glenda and explain what their dispute is about.

On Monday (tomorrow) UNISON members in Notting Hill will take unprecedented strike action against their Chief Executive’s decision to get rid of family friendly policies and attack basic terms and conditions. This extremely highly paid CEO who is a housing advisor to the Conservative Party is refusing to even try conciliation through ACAS or to allow UNISON to speak to its board.

Notting Hill Housing Trust began in Karen’s constituency and is one of its biggest social landlords so she has a particularly keen interest in its affairs.

Both MPs had private discussions with the Strikers and will contacting Notting Hill senior management. The impact of these changes on the mainly female workforce was of major concern.

Also at the reception was veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner who also met up with the strikers and gave a cracking speech on the importance of the Labour movement for ordinary working people. Former MP and current Head of Diversity at Channel 4 Oona King was also had a meeting and was very supportive. Future lobbies are being planned with London Assembly members and Council leaders.

I’ll post more on tomorrows strike later.