Labour Party Conference 2024: Monday

 

Monday was pretty wet, windy and rainy but being from North Wales originally - I was used to it. I had some UNISON stuff to sort out in the morning and my first fringe was "Why we need to track social economic diversity to break the class ceiling" (The Purpose Coalition and The Wise Group)".  

As one of the panellists quoted (who bravely admitted he used to be a management consultant) "if you can't measure it you can't manage it". 

In my question to the panel I said that I had taken part in engagements with major corporations on diversity in the boardroom and while some companies were very positive, when I asked about social economic diversity, some seemed very bothered that they will be expected to monitor class as well as everything else! I was sceptical that you will get meaningful data without regulation, such as the requirement to report on gender pay. 

My favourite memory of this fringe is the Chair trying to also encourage his toddler son, sitting to the side, to be good and eat his chips (due to a breakdown in creche arrangements). 

Next was "Building Worker Power: The New Deal for Working People" run by Labour Unions and IPPR. 

This took place in a large hall which was packed to overflowing with standing room only.  All the food had run out except for bread, cooked carrots and red cabbage. Which was still surprisingly tasty. UNISON & TUC EC officer, Gloria Mills, gave a passionate speech about rolling back decades of unfair, anti worker and anti-union laws and legal judgements. 

Then "Saving for the Future: How can Labour's Pensions Review Help to Deliver Sustainable Retirement" (New Statesman & People's Partnership". 

It was good to see Emma Reynolds MP in her new position as Minister of Pensions (and treasury role?). I can remember her speaking very well at a CLP meeting and at our UNISON Housing Association Branch AGM when she was the shadow Housing Minister. I think however, that we have to be careful in the pension world over the assumption that bigger is always better. I look forward to engaging with Emma another time about the role of pension consolidation, productive finance and retirement. 

Final fringe of the day for me was "Funding Homes for Social Rent: A Role for Institutional Capital: Drinks Reception.(Prowgress, Home Builders Federation & Left Foot Forward). 

While I would take issue with any wording that suggests you can provide social rented homes without government subsidy, there is definitely a role that Institutional Capital can play.  Leaseback schemes for example, are incredibly complex and therefore risky but may provide at least a partial solution to the real risk to Council finances from the rising cost of Temporary accommodation and provide decent homes. 

It was good to talk as well to a representative of a charity that I had "crossed swords" (big, big row) with in the past over their refusal to recognise trade unions for collective bargaining. This representative assured me that they were now very keen to consider trade union recognition and I will be sending their details to our UNISON Regional officer. 

Afterwards I went to a private dinner and had a fascinating conversation on the role of Local Government and Growth. By coincidence many of us on my table had a connection with Stafford. 

On the way home I stopped off for a drink at the first of the two "Newham Nights" with local Party members and Councillors. 

UNISON Housing Association Branch Labour Link AGM with Emma Reynolds MP

Last Tuesday evening we had our Annual General Meeting of Greater London UNISON Housing Association Branch Labour Link at the House of Commons. UNISON Labour Link members (also known as APF) choose to support and affiliate to the Labour Party

Our keynote speaker was Labour Shadow Housing Minister, Emma Reynolds MP. Shadow Minister for Civic Society, Lisa Nandy MP, had to drop out as a speaker at the last minute.

Emma was supposed to only be there for 20 minutes but stayed for about 45 minutes, giving first a speech and then she engaged with us in a prolonged Q&A.

We had UNISON members from all over London and as far away as Norfolk, Kent and Surrey. Housing management workers and those working in care and support. There was a really positive and far reaching debate with Emma about the housing policy of a future Labour government. Including difficult questions on the future of right to buy, social rents and rent controls for the private sector.

After Emma our UNISON regional officer Colin Inniss gave a rousing speech on how important the General Election will be to our members. We also had a planning discussion on how to mobilise telephone, leafleting and door knocking teams in marginal seats.

After the close of the meeting we went off to our social at the Weatherspoon near Trafalgar Square and were able to continue the debate on housing in between helping to also celebrate St Patrick's Day. 

Emma Reynolds MP at UNISON Housing Associations Labour Link AGM

Shadow Housing Minister Emma Reynolds MP has agreed to be our key note speaker at our Branch Labour Link (APF) AGM on Tuesday 17 March 2015 at House of Commons.  All Housing Association Branch Labour Link members welcome.We are also planning to share the event with London UNISON voluntary organisations branch Labour Link,

Update: Lisa Nandy MP, Shadow Labour Minister for Civil Society has also agreed to speak to the meeting. 

Emma Reynolds MP speaks at West Ham GC - turn Benefits into Bricks

Last Thursday evening Labour Shadow Housing Minister Emma Reynolds MP was our guest speaker at the West Ham General Committee (GC) meeting which was open to all Party members.

Emma started by thanking our MP Lyn Brown (right of picture) for her advice and support in becoming an MP.

She then said she realised that in somewhere like West Ham housing was a top issue.

The recent Lyons Review for the Party recognised housing is a key priority. Ed Miliband understands this and that is why her role is now in the shadow cabinet.

Housing is fundamental to everything we do in a future government. If we can't get housing right, we won't get anything right. Especially in the private sector. Ed's mission is to double the number of homes being built.

For over 3 decades we have not been delivering anywhere near the number of homes needed. We now have the lowest level of new build since the 1920s. We did  many good things in past Labour government but can't pretend that we built enough.

The construction industry is dominated by big builders, who also build the smallest houses in Europe. Families in the UK don't need less space to live in than those in Germany or France?

We need to bring more land into use to be built upon, more power to councils to allocate planning specifically for 1st time buyers. Emma use to work and rent in Belgium for 6 years. You don't have to go to "Venezuela" to see that there are different models of private renting. Labour will introduce 3 year tenancies, cap the rise of rents and ban fees for letting agencies. Private sector regulation needs to be expanded.

In the Q&A I introduced myself as a UNISON Housing Association delegate. I told Emma while I think that the scale of housing crisis is such that local authorities will have to take the lead in building homes. I do believe that Housing associations have a role but I am deeply concerned about the governance of many housing associations and their lack of accountability for public money.

Some have little or no effective tenant and resident involvement; secret remuneration committees that increase their chief officers pay by huge amounts while cutting the pay of its front line workers. Despite being registered charities some refuse to recognise trade unions and one, Catalyst Housing Association, has recently responded to complaint of bullying against its HR by attempting to de recognise UNISON. Housing Associations have got to get their act together.

Emma said that she shares my concern about housing associations. There are some very good ones who are doing excellent things but she is worried that due to the 60% cut to grant by this government, they are being forced to take part in revenue raising schemes such as shared ownership and market rents.  Some are in danger of losing their social ethos since they are indeed supposed to be charities. She said that she is worried about what is happening in Catalyst and will speak to me about it later.

It was not a good night for Housing Associations, since another GC delegate who is a shared ownership resident, spoke about his "corrupt" housing association and its "bullying and intimidating managing agents" Shared ownership leases are feudal and enables landlord goons to send threatening letters. To them we are just peasants.

Emma said she was determined to do something about this if Labour is elected, she hears this story too often. I later asked the delegate who the housing association was and it turns out it was one of the few in the G15 who refuse to recognise trade unions. Landlords who don't respect the human rights of their staff won't treat their residents well either.

She finished off by saying that she wants to turn "benefits into bricks". If you pay people properly and not have them to rely on state benefits it is empowering. The Mansion tax is a fair way to help the NHS.  On the question of building on brownfield sites v green belt. She agreed with Lyons that it should be brownfield first but this was not the whole answer in areas of high demand. Swapping land in and out of greenbelt could be an answer.

West Ham CLP October Update - Winning the General Election

Happy October! This email gives you information about our next all members meeting with shadow housing Minister Emma Reynolds, details about the TUC march and what we're doing in West Ham to make sure the next government is a Labour government.

Winning the General Election 

The 2015 general election will be won or lost in some of the key marginal seats around the country. We're paired with our near neighbours - Ilford North to get Wes Streeting elected as their Labour MP. Up until the new year we'll campaign in Ilford North on the second and fourth Saturday of the month - beginning this Saturday 11 October.

We'll meet at Fairlop station (on the Central line) at 2pm or 1.30pm at Forest Gate Youth Centre, Woodgrange Road, E7 0DH. Contact is John Gray.

Ilford North - future dates

11 October 2pm Fairlop stn (or 1.30pm Forest Gate Youth Centre)
25 October 2pm Fairlop stn (or 1.30pm Forest Gate Youth Centre if cars/drivers available)
8 November 2pm Fairlop stn (or 1.30pm Forest Gate Youth Centre if cars/drivers available)
22 November 2pm Fairlop stn (or 1.30pm Forest Gate Youth Centre if cars/drivers available)
6 December 2pm Fairlop stn (or 1.30pm Forest Gate Youth Centre if cars/drivers available)

We're also be hosting a phone bank on Wednesday evenings at 306 High St, Stratford. And we'll also help out our old friends in Thurrock constituency and we'll be spending a few Thursday evenings in Bermondsey and Old Southwark.

If you want to get rid of the Tory/Lib Dem government please come and join us - let Julianne know if you'd like to know more.

All members meeting (GC) 23 October 

Our guest speaker is Labour's shadow Minister for housing - Emma Reynolds MP. We hope you'll join us for what's likely to be a lively session. We meet 7.30pm at 306 High Street Stratford, E15 1AJ.

TUC march 18 October 

West Ham CLP will be joining the TUC march and rally. We'll be meeting outside Stratford station 10.30am on Saturday 18 October. Contact is John Whitworth. We hope we'll see you at GC or in Ilford North or at the TUC march.

Best wishes Julianne Marriott and Gordon Miller (West Ham CLP Vice Chairs)

Lilian Greenwood MP & UNISON Housing Association Branch Labour Link AGM

I think this is a great picture from last month's Branch Labour Link AGM held at the House of Commons.  Our guest speaker was to have been Shadow Housing Minister, Emma Reynolds MP but she had to pull out at the last minute due to a family emergency. Emma has offered to rearrange for the near future.

Top UNISON member and MP for Nottingham South, Lilian Greenwood (see picture 4th on left) stepped in at the very last minute to be our guest speaker. She gave a marvelous off the cuff speech on her background, her values and what she wants to achieve as a MP- then she took part in a wide ranging Q&A.

Afterwards UNISON Voluntary Organisations Branch Labour Link Officer Jonathon Slater (2nd from left) spoke about the importance of winning the Local and Euro elections  in May. Jonathon is standing as a  Labour Candidate for Whitefoot ward in Lewisham.

Our Regional Branch organiser Colin Inniss spoke about how vital it is to recruit more members, stewards and to campaign to defend jobs, terms and conditions.

As the Branch Labour Link officer I also asked for active support for Labour candidates in the forth coming battle in May (I am also standing again as the Labour Candidate for West Ham ward in Newham).

I made the very simple and obvious point to everyone present that while politics should not be about personalities - listening tonight to Lilian about her background and values as well as her obvious decency you should decide who you want to be a part of future government that rules over you - Lilian or David Cameron?

I think it is fair to say that none of us wanted David Cameron.

Afterwards we went to our traditional social at the Weatherspoons in Whitehall.

I will post more pictures of event on Facebook.

Emma Reynolds MP guest speaker at UNISON Housing Association Labour Link

This flyer is going out to all members of our branch who choose to pay the Labour Party political levy - the Applied Political Fund (APF).  Emma is the MP for Wolverhampton North East and Labour Shadow Housing Minister.

In the past our Guest speakers at our Labour Link AGM have been previous Housing ministers Jack Dromey MP; Alison Seabeck MP and John Healey MP.

Wolverhampton North East and Shadow Housing Minister, - See more at: http://www.emmareynolds.org.uk/#sthash.7kNbTXEr.dpuf

Wolverhampton North East and Shadow Housing Minister, - See more at: http://www.emmareynolds.org.uk/#sthash.7kNbTXEr.dpuf