My own personal blog. Labour & Co-op Cllr, Statutory Deputy Mayor & Cabinet Lead for Housing, UNISON NEC member for Community, Branch Secretary, 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 the Labour movement family. Strictly no trolls please.
Showing posts with label Forest Gate North. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forest Gate North. Show all posts
Busy day. Cycled down to my Newham Council advice surgery in Stratford Library then joined Forest Gate North ward colleagues for a local door knock. Which went well, I experienced a mostly very positive approach to Labour, which I think is down to the excellent local Councillors, Rachel and Liz. It was nice to get back campaigning after a couple of weeks off due to Conference and annual leave. The cleaning and communal repair standards of the housing blocks we visited was mostly good.
Afterwards, since it was such a pleasant, warm and sunny day, Gill and I walked from home to Chingford through Epping Forest. We took the train back home and then had delicious pub grub at the nearby Holly Tree, where we came across other Labour folk including the very quiet and retiring, Cllr Alan Griffiths.
This morning I joined Labour colleagues for my first canvass of 2025. It was led by local Councillor Rachel Tripp and we were joined by local activists and later by Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz.
I live near by and know this area fairly well. While there was real problems over parking control and Anti-social behaviour, most residents I spoke to were fairly satisfied with Council services and the social housing stock (nearly all Housing Associations) appeared to be managed effectively. Rachel was recognised by a number of residents as their long standing and active local Councillor.
There was complaints about Council parking enforcement being too lax but other complaints about them being too strict. Perhaps then the balance is about right? One of the canvassers, despite wearing a bright red "Labour & Co-op Party" hat, was asked by a resident if he was a Jehovah witness. I had an interesting conversation with one resident, who admitted that she had never voted but she would consider doing so in the future. I gave my view that the powers to be had never wanted working class people to have the vote in the first place and if we did not use it then they will try and take it away.
The cost of living crisis is still hitting residents and they are genuinely worried about the economy and public services. I share their worries but asked them to judge the Labour Government on what it does in the next 4-5 years and not in its first 6 months.
Afterwards we went to the "Wild Goose" Bakery for feedback, coffee and gossip. It had been a good session.
Next week we will be out and about in West Ham ward.
This evening I joined Liz Cronin (3rd from left) who is standing in the local Council by election being held the same day as the General election. Forest Gate North is my home ward (I represent West Ham as a Newham Councillor). Uma Kumaran is standing to be our MP for Stratford & Bow.
The canvass went well and being Forest Gate, there was some lively political discussions about whether or not, Keir Starmer was sufficiently left" for them to vote Labour. When it is pointed out that the future choice of prime minister, is between either Keir or Rishi, then I think most realise that you have to vote Labour to get rid of the Tories.
I met a young first time voter who was delighted that we had called to speak to him and was really excited about taking part in the election and voting Labour.
It was good to come across some very well maintained social housing blocks whose communal areas where kept to a very high standard.
I was also put in my place, very firmly, when I asked a resident if he will be voting for "Labour" next week, who replied he will be voting for his Party next week, which of course is called the Labour Party but is his Party. The loyalty and self identification of so many voters with the Labour Party is humbling. We need to always demonstrate that we deserve this trust.
On Saturday and Sunday I am off to Great Yarmouth to support the Labour Candidate, Keir Couzens, who I have heard so many positive reports about and will encourage all of us, who have been asked by the Party to show solidarity, to do so in the next few days, if at all possible.
My fantastic Labour Councillors for Forest Gate North (Rachel and Sasha) say "thank you" for being elected. Hat tip Rachel here.
"It's now May
the 17th and I feel like I am only now emerging properly from the post-election
haze and back into something like normal life again. The last few weeks before
an election are always busy with campaigning but this year's campaign was
particularly short for various reasons.
Campaigning
for an election is surprisingly fun. But it's also very physical work, with
lots of walking around, carrying bags of leaflets, and a fair bit of tramping
up and down stairs.
So Sasha das
Gupta and I were tired but happy by the time it came to the count, the results
were announced, and we were re-elected as Labour & Co operative councillors
for Forest Gate North.
I'd like to
thank everyone who voted for us. Being re-elected is a privilege, and not one
that either of us takes for granted. We have knocked on almost every single
door in the ward over the past few months and spoken to many people, and we'll
keep on doing so during our term of four years. Big thanks also to those local
Labour members who helped with campaigning, to our opponents, to the Council
officers who worked hard to make the election work, including counting all
those votes, and especially to all the residents who offered support and
encouragement.
In the
meantime, there is plenty to do. The problems with recycling collections seem
to have abated for the moment, but the situation with so many missed
collections was really not up to scratch at all, and is being taken extremely
serious by everyone. Turn out was low across Newham (and elsewhere) and we need
to keep on working hard to show how important local government is, and to
encourage people to have their voices heard.
It is a smaller
ward this time, with part of the old Forest Gate North having been carved off
to create the new ward of Maryland. So we are now a two councillor ward,
shortly to briefly be a one councillor ward when Sasha takes some time away
from the role to adjust to another new role, of being a mother! During this
time I'll post online about who is available and when, and will draw on support
from colleagues as needed to make sure residents aren't left without
representation.
This map
shows the new ward and its boundaries. Some of you reading this may see that
you were previously part of Forest Gate North but now you are not. If that's
the case then it's been a pleasure representing you (and you can naturally
carry on reading the blog!).
For those
still within the reduced ward, I'll carry on working as hard as I can to
promote everything about Forest Gate North that is so brilliant, to improve
those things that aren't, and to help those who need it."
Full election results
for all the wards are online here:
This morning I had my first "physical" Councillor surgery in two years at Stratford Library archivist room (a fantastic local history resource) then I joined a Labour canvass in West Ham Ward. While talking to residents about local issues they were also raising their horror at Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
We passed our local British Army, G Company, 7 Rifles, Reservist base, on the Portway (bottom left). As someone who spent several years in the then British Territorial Army, during the 1980's, learning how to try and stop Soviet Union tanks invading Europe, I am to say the least dismayed that we now face a similar threat from the fascistic dictator of Russia, Putin. I am confident that the men and women of 7 Rifles and their comrades will do their duty and protect us from Putin's aggression.
For once I did not pick up any individual casework (apart from general concerns about parking charges, recycling & ASB which I will feed back to Executive members). However, when cycling home I noticed that vehicles were parking and blocking any emergency vehicle access to the south entrance of West Ham Park (see bottom middle picture). I will raise this with the Park (run by City of London) and Newham Highways.
There is also a live local issue regarding plans by the Park to build homes at the site of the former planting nursery. Our West Ham MP, Lyn Brown has asked local Councillors for their views on this issue. I will suggest we have a meeting.
In the afternoon I joined Lyn, at a canvass session in Maryland, Forest Gate North with local Councillor Rachel Trip and activists.
It was another largely very positive canvass for Labour. Rachel picked up case work on housing disrepair and I found more residents angry and disgusted at the dreadful aggression against Ukraine.
Afterward we joined up with a Stratford canvass team and thawed out with hot coffee and treats provided by Lyn at a local café.
Tonight both West Ham and Forest Gate North wards were out campaigning. I joined FGN since I had to leave early for a meal with a mate in Leytonstone.
All the ward Councillors were present. Cllr Rachel Trip was the lead organiser.
This was one of the most successful sessions I have been on using the Labour Party doorstep app on our smart phones. It was a bit of a fiddle connecting to the Party website but most of us were able to do so and it meant we could canvass and input information really quickly.
There was no queuing up and waiting for verbal instructions on where to door knock and then wait and queue to give back information on the address you had called at. You also do not have to remember all the names of the people you are meant to contact and you will know their previous voting intention. So you will get a heads up if you are going to call at someone previously identified as "Against".
Really positive campaign returns for Labour. My next campaign session will be in Stratford on Saturday morning.
Summer is now over and the never ending cycle of political campaigning and street surgeries continues. I missed a canvass session on Wednesday evening in my home ward but went out with local Councillors Rachel Tripp and Anamul Islam this morning (Sasha is on holiday).
Very positive response, in particular, local residents appreciated the support that their Councillors had given in opposing a recent attempt to close a nearby right of way.
I did not hear any mention of national party issues or Brexit. Mostly when you ask residents whether or not they support Labour they look at you as if almost insulted. "Of course we vote Labour!" (do you think we would vote for the Tories? one resident asked me today)
The Newham Council housing blocks we visited seemed in good order (well done to managing agents Swan Housing) but the L&Q Housing Association blocks had some shoddy bodged disrepair and a definite trip hazard on communal stairs. Cllr Islam will be contacting them with photos.
The picture on the bottom of the college (2nd left) is of a property I canvassed a couple of years ago. A young woman came out to speak to me and her front door slammed shut behind her. No one else had keys and I had to climb the wall into the garden to see if there was a window open. There wasn't so eventually we had to get the lock drilled and smashed the window of the front door for her to get in. I got a new lock fitted and she "sorted things out" with her landlord. Never a dull moment when you are canvassing. Thanks to retired caretaker manager (and Party member) Montrose Matty.
New CLP vice chair for campaigns Karl Lewis ran the board (told us who to contact and recorded information) while the ace campaigner of the day was Rachel's daughter India (Child Labour).
Anam, Karl and I went for coffee at "Freds" afterwards to gossip and chew the fat.
"This looks fun! Forest Gate North are having a Great get Together Summer Social on Bank Holiday 27th Aug on Wansted Flats opposite Golden Fleece pub E12 5DB. Bring Food and Drink. Lots of prizes and activities" Hat Tip Andy Diagram.
After my Mobike UK adventure I joined comrades in Forest Gate North on #labourdoorstop.
It was interesting to be blamed for not stopping foxes getting into private gardens and then to hear a previous UKIP supporting family switching to being strong Labour supporters.
Anam and I had a great chat with a Bulgarian family who do want to participate in our democratic process and are of course they are the #NewEastenders.
The overall response was really good. So many say that the Labour Party is - their Party
Photo left to right: Me, Carel (our top branch secretary), Sasha Das Gupta (Candidate) & Cllr Anam Islam (Cllr Rachel Tripp was at a meeting with Newham Cyclists)
This is the Labour Slate for my home ward, Forest Gate North, in the 3 May 2018 Newham London Mayoral and Council elections. All of whom, while we might not always agree on everything, are trusted friends and comrades.
Photo Collage from an evening door knock and street surgery last month in Forest Gate North, London by local ward Councillors (Rachel, Seyi & Anamul) and party activists. This was a sensitive matter since the area had experienced what is thought to be a gang related murder of a young boy only a few weeks previously.
Local residents were obviously still very upset about what had happened but were appreciative of the Councillors for coming out to speak to them. It is actually quite an uplifting experience that residents we spoke to were still shocked but on the whole very positive about the area (the estate itself appeared to be clean, well maintained and also well managed. Well done Swan Housing).
Just a quick reminder that Forest Gate North Labour Party will be holding a Summer Picnic/BBQ on Sunday 3rd September on Wanstead Flats opposite the Golden Fleece pub from 3 to 6 p.m. Come along and bring a dish to share. Don't forget to bring your family, children are especially welcome. Put the date in your diary and look forward to seeing you there.
(Our next branch meeting is on Thursday 7th September at Durning Hall).
Just a quick summer update on recent local and future events. Since the General election we have continued campaigning including holding high street stalls in Forest Gate, Canning Town and Stratford as well as door knocking and speaking to residents in Canning Town South and delivering ward newsletters in Forest Gate North.
Our newly elected MP, Lyn Brown held a “thank you” party at the Eat 16 (see picture above).
There was a well-attended Memorial organised by Forest Gate North remembering the anniversary of the deaths of at least 34 residents killed in 1944 by a Nazi V1 flying bomb.
Some activists have also continued to campaign in Ilford North Constituency and in the newly “marginal” seat, Chingford and Wood Green, trying to get rid of Ian Duncan Smith MP.
The closing date for applications to be a Newham Councillor candidate in 2018 has now passed. Applicants and sitting Councillors will be interviewed in the autumn and branches will be given the chance to select their candidates in hustings. Watch this space for further details.
Future campaigning & events
West Ham branch are having a BBQ open to all on Thursday 31 August from 7-9pm at Vicarage Lane community centre, E15. Please advise members interested in going to RSVP 'John Whitworth'jhnwhitworth@yahoo.co.uk because of concern over space.
Forest Gate North Branch are also having a BBQ on Sunday 3rd Septemberon Wanstead Flats opposite the Golden Fleece pub from 3 to 6 p.m. Come along and bring a dish to share.
Newham Fabians 20 Sept 2017 at Eat 16 are holding an important event on “Grenfell Tower: The anatomy of a disaster & the future of social housing in London”.
While Newham Co-operative Party will be holding an event to mark the centenary of the Party and also to encourage Newham Labour Councillor Candidates in 2018 to stand jointly as Co-op candidates.
Please send me news of events and photos for future newsletters and to place on our website.
Regards
John Gray
West Ham Labour Party Vice Chair Campaigns and Communications
Emergency Motion West Ham Labour Party General Committee 20 July Grenfell Tower & Fire Safety in High Rise Blocks This branch/GC notes:
1. The appalling loss of life at Grenfell Tower, together with the troubling prospect that the death toll will rise and the final number of those that perished may never be known;
2. The outstanding bravery demonstrated by the London Fire Brigade, supported by the Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service, in their efforts to save lives;
3. The tremendous generosity of local residents and community groups as well as people from across London and beyond in helping those affected by this national tragedy;
4. The systemic shortcomings of fire safety standards at Grenfell Tower, despite concerns being raised by residents who were sufficiently heard; alongside a fire safety and building regulation regime requiring major reform now that some 120 tower blocks across 37 local authority areas in England so far have failed fire safety tests and are confirmed to have combustible cladding;
5. The welcome announcement of an independent judicial public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire which has to serve the interests of the bereaved families, survivors and residents of tower blocks around the country who have serious questions about how and why this disaster happened and who is responsible;
6. The proactive and welcomed actions underway by officers and the Mayoral Advisor for Housing to ensure Newham residents living in council owned tower blocks and properties are safe.
7. That Grenfell raises many urgent questions for all local authorities about the adequacy of fire regulations, the efficacy of building inspection and enforcement regime and boroughs capacity to respond to emergencies. We should and can expect reform all of these.
This Branch resolves therefore resolves:
1. To call on Newham Council to commit the required resources to implement all necessary and required reforms in fire regulations, building inspection, control and enforcement so that Newham Council remains robust in its fire safety regime for all council owned properties;
2. To ensure that those properties held by Red Door Ventures and Local Space, in which Newham Council has a stake, similarly implement all required reforms to enhance their fire safety standards across the portfolio of properties they hold;
3. To ensure that all Housing Association providers, schools and education providers in Newham demonstrate that they are undertaking all required checks and enhancements to the fire safety regime in their properties;
4. To commit full political and officer support for a comprehensive Scrutiny review on issues arising from the Grenfell Tower fire (including planning policy, building regulations, housing management procedures related to fires safety of high rise blocks in the borough and; the level and type of engagement with residents on the issue of fire safety) and implications for Newham, as well as the independent public inquiry that has been announced once it reports;
5. To review existing processes of engagement with Council tenants/Leaseholders, especially on fire safety, and report back to all councillors/tenants/leaseholders on how they will be enhanced.
6. To re-establish the Newham Residents Housing Scrutiny Committee comprised of Councillors, Tenants and Leaseholders with reforms so that representatives from Housing association and private landlords/freeholders are also invited to attend.
7. To ensure that a full briefing for all Newham councillors is provided as soon as the current inspection work on Newham’s Tower blocks has been completed;
8. To ensure that regular reviews (at least once every year) takes place in consultation with all councillors and relevant residents.
Proposer: Anam Islam
Seconder: John Gray
(passed by Forest Gate North branch and sent to West Ham General Committee)
UPDATE: Disappointingly this motion fell foul of Labour Party rules on giving notice of motions to be discussed since the GC was brought forward by a week. It will be debated at the September meeting.
Picture collage from Saturdays Forest Gate Festival. This was a really fantastic event and for the first time we had a Labour Party stall at the festival talking to people and encouraging them to join the Party.
It was amazing how many people said they were already members and the very positive reaction we had from other residents, who were not so far members but are so angry with this government and want to get rid of it.
After a short break, members of Forest Gate North & West Ham Labour, led by our newly re-elected MP (with 77% of the vote) Lyn Brown, were back on the campaign trail today. As well as the NHS demo in Central London, today was a Labour Party National Campaign Day, on Theresa May, having "No Mandate for Cuts".
I love this picture above as well. We obviously tried to stage it as a political statement but forgot the adage "Never work with animals or children" :)
This was in the week that the Tories voted and cheered in Parliament on cutting yet again public sector pay, while at the same time crying crocodile tears about the bravery of our Police, Fire & Ambulance service.
The Labour Party seems to be getting its act together with sending to local parties excellent anti cuts leaflets (with Labour Party membership forms on rear) and placards (even if they arrived let us say "just in time").
There was a superb response today in Forest Gate for Labour, including signing a petition about the Grenfell fire and making sure that the Council does everything possible to make things safe for residents. There was also unusually in West Ham, a couple of angry Tories, up for a row, but we saw them off.
Before the stall, Lyn went to nearby Market Square to support the very first Forest GAYTE Pride.
Yesterday morning I started off campaigning in Forest Gate North with local Councillor, Anamul Islam and activists. It was also the first time that my wife, Gill, had actually knocked on doors and spoke to residents about supporting Labour.
It was the usual, rock solid and humbling Labour vote in Forest Gate.
The weather held out during the morning but on route to Ilford North to support marginal Labour Candidate, Wes Streeting, there was a torrential downpour, which set the scene for the rest of the day.
West Ham Labour activists met up with our candidate, Lyn Brown, at the Ilford North HQ. Lyn had been out that morning with a number of different groups including West Ham Labour Women's Forum (see picture collage top left) who also turned up for afternoon Ilford North session led by the one and only, Cllr Seyi Akiwowo.
During the canvass in Ilford North the weather was on the whole a little wet but I think electors are impressed with canvassers who turn up to meet them and listen to their views regardless of the weather.
I got a shock while door knocking on at one home. I could see a dog's nose sticking out of a cat flap in a front door that Cllr Seyi had sent me to canvass. I thought nothing of it but when I knocked on the door the dog started barking violently and then stuck its whole head out of the cat flap! For a moment I thought it was coming out to get me and I jumped backward very quickly, much to the amusement of the team (see the wolf - bottom right).
Apart from that it was a largely positive canvass for Wes, with many residents saying they will support him due because he is a very good and active constituency MP.
Yesterday started with my Newham Councillor surgery in Vicarage Lane Community Centre, West Ham. A constituent came to see me about a pretty appalling disrepair case in a Housing Association shared ownership block. I have been in touch already about this case and have written to the association asking for a site visit with an officer and a surveyor to do a joint visit.
Another constituent came to see me about Newham Council organising a sports competition between a team representing the Commonwealth and another for the rest of the world. Which is an ambitious aspiration but not one, alas, that back bench local Councillors will have much influence over.
After the surgery I met up with Forest Gate North activists for a Labour doorstep session. We started door knocking in Curwen Avenue, E7, where I used to live many years ago.
I had some interesting political conversations on the doorstep, especially on Brexit and the future of the Labour Party. Forest Gate, on the whole, is very pro "Remain". More than one person was supportive of our Candidate, Lyn Brown, for voting against the triggering of Article 50 but very critical of the poorly supported official Labour campaign in Newham for "Remain". I had to agree and point out that this was despite her best efforts and other Newham Labour Remain supporters. The blame for the poor local result lies elsewhere in Newham.
Our candidate, Lyn Brown, this morning was at a well supported stall at Green Street and and had a number of community meetings including one with local East European residents and East Ham Labour candidate, Stephen Timms.
In the afternoon I went to Ilford North marginal which has a super friendly and efficient campaign office. If you have never been canvassing before I would recommend you go there. They will explain what you have to do and what are the key issues and make sure you are sent out with a supportive team leader. ILFORD NORTH 11am, 2pm and 6pm every day.
Meeting 12a High View Parade, Woodford Av, IG4 5EP (a 12 min walk from Gants Hill stn on the Central Line - exit 1). Turn up and say you're from West Ham (and they'll look after you if you haven't campaigned before).
In Ilford North I came across some evidence of UKIP and Conservative switchers to Labour. Including one former Tory supporter, whose husband is suffering from dementia and who told me in great detail how much she now "hated" the Conservatives for the lack of support for her husband and the cutting of his benefits.
The Labour candidate, Wes Streeting, was widely respected as a hard working Constituency MP and supported by residents who will normally vote for another Party in local elections.
By one of those strange coincidences, this morning I was canvassing with Joshua Garfield in Forest Gate and this afternoon with his Mum, former Newham Councillor, Judith Garfield, in Ilford North. Both of them are expert canvassers. Must be in the blood.
Picture collage from canvass in Forest Gate North on Tuesday evening, West Ham ward on Wednesday evening and a Labour stall outside the busy West Ham Station tonight (which is confusingly not in West Ham ward but Canning Town North).
While we are campaigning everyday in West Ham to re-elect Lyn Brown as our MP, our activists are also pounding the streets and taking part in the telecanvassing of marginals across London.
I led the Forest Gate North canvass team and at first we had the usual problem of trying to get any contacts with electors, who live above shops in the main high street. It must be a nightmare being a local postie with so many addresses having no letter boxes or number identification.
Most of other homes we knocked at were low rise Council housing blocks. Going up and down communal stairs is great exercise. Who needs to join an expensive gym to get fit if you are a Labour Party activist?
The canvass at West Ham ward started outside the wonderful "tiger" street art mural in Holbrook Road, E15 (see top left of collage). I am a local Councillor in the ward. The support that Lyn and the Labour Party gets in the ward is humbling. Lyn in particular got support on the canvass from voters who do not normally vote for the Labour Party but will for her, since they think she is a very good constituency Member of Parliament.
It is not all sweetness and light. I met up with a resident, who I have come across canvassing a number of times, but for a change, this time she was polite and so therefore was I, however, she is a definite A for "Against" on our canvass returns. Not that she ever votes according to the marked register. Which to me - is a shame that she moans bitterly but does not bother to vote against us.
Our street stall outside West Ham Station (which is in Canning Town North) this evening with our Parliamentary candidate, Lyn Brown, (and Cara, her famous Yorkshire Terrier Labour attack dog) was nice, relaxed and took place in warm, balmy, spring sunshine. A number of residents rushing home from the station, (not a really huge number but not insignificant either) were really pleased that Lyn was there to speak to them and talk about their local and national concerns.
By coincidence, we were right next to One Housing Group (OHG) Key workers scheme that I and other Councillors have been supporting against huge rent rises. A number of these tenants, came up to Lyn, to thank her for her letter to OHG and her support over their campaign against the proposed 40% rise in their rents, which has now thankfully been put on hold pending talks.
I had to leave a little early and go off to a School Governors meeting.
As an election agent it has been a good week in West Ham so far (touch wood). Excellent canvass returns across the CLP. Nomination papers accepted. 2nd Labour Freepost leaflet looking good and ready to be submitted by deadline tomorrow (touching wood, fingers and toes crossed, will be buying white heather).
