Supporting Melanie & Uma in Maryland - Wednesday (then burger, pint & chips in the "Cart and Horses" the birthplace of Iron Maiden)

 

I went to Beckton to canvass but it had to be cancelled due to a mishap. These things happen in elections. So I went again to Maryland to support Melanie and Um,a in a session led by my West Hammer colleague, John Whitworth and our number one canvasser, Varghese Mathai. 

As we started it was nice to be told "good luck" by a friendly passer bye. It was pretty hot and humid and we had lots of blocks and stairwells to climb which was good for my steps. 

Tonight, we were in a more traditional working class part of Maryland and I had a 100% positive response for Labour from the residents I managed to speak with.  I was also stopped by other passer byes, pledging support and asking for leaflets. So many people are so desperate for change and want to give Labour a chance. 

Afterwards we went for a drink (and some of us food) in the well known, Maryland pub, the "Cart & Horses", which is apparently the birthplace of the heavy metal band "Iron Maiden" ( a name inspired by a certain former Tory Prime Minister). There were some bands playing in the basement but it was very nice and relaxed in the bar area. 

On the way back home I listened to the live debate between Sunak Vs Starmer and thought Keir wiped the floor with him. I admit that I am somewhat conflicted on this issue :-) 

Canning Town and Beckton visits and doorsteps

 

Today  I joined the West Ham & Beckton Labour Parliamentary candidate, James Asser, with local Councillors, Rohit and Shabs, for a tour of shops and businesses in Canning Town. James chatted to owners about issues facing them on the high street. It then absolutely poured with rain, during which I drove to the printers to pick up leaflets while James and the others took shelter in a Labour supporter home. 

The rain stopped and for a while it was blue skies and sunshine. We then went and knocked on doors in a relatively new, nearby high rise and talked to residents about what issues were important to them. 

The need for safer streets was a number one priority for both residents and local businesses.  Tory governments cut the Police of 20,000 experienced officers and the Met by over £1 billion. They are not the party of law and order.  

In the afternoon I went to knock on doors in Beckton with our council by election candidate, Blossom Young, my fellow ward Councillor John and UNISON colleague Mushtaq. Labour Friends of Bangladesh were also there to help with the door knock and we got over 150 contacts.  

Out and about in Royal Docks for Labour: West Ham & Beckton

 

This evening I joined my West Ham Ward colleague, John Whitworth in Royal Docks ward to canvass with local Councillors, Caroline Adaja and Steve Brayshaw. 

Our West Ham & Beckton Labour Parliamentary Candidate, James Asser, was out canvassing with activists in our North Woolwich ward. 

I had no "negative" responses during the door knock but I guess that some responses from residents that said they were "undecided" were probably from those who are actually opposed. But I felt (hope?) that while they will not vote Labour it is possible that they will stay at home and not vote. Which in one way is a shame but their choice and a reflection of how dreadful the current Conservative offer is to even their traditional supporters. 

On the plus side, we had plenty of positive responses in a part of the borough that some would think is not great for Labour.  A lady came to the door who was celebrating her birthday but wished us well and ensured us that everyone in her family and her friends would be voting Labour - including those who had changed their minds recently. 

I also came across a number of residents who had either never voted or had not voted for several years who were genuinely interested in the election process and who were pleased to be canvassed and learn more about how to vote. One young mum who was happy to engage, while also trying to ensure her excited toddler and her cat did not run out of the open front door was so pleased to meet Steve, one of her Councillors, who lives nearby and discuss with him local issues. 

Afterwards, John and I joined our colleague Shabs who had just finished his ward canvass at the Canning Town Efes to share their meal platter. A great meal and finish to a long day. 

Newham Voices: "East End Pubs" December 2023

 

I have finally got around to reading the December version of "Newham Voices". It has been a busy few weeks.  Lots of good stuff about politics and planning but my eye was caught about this review by Phil Mellows, of a new book called "East End Pubs". 

I agree with Phil that it is a shame that the book is only confirmed to pubs in Tower Hamlets and Hackney (I have worked in Towers Hamlets for 30 years, so know a few of their pubs as well). The Newham pub gems mentioned are all my favourites (especially the Eddies and Black Lion). 

Tonight, I had some different drinks and a great meal in a Bulgarian bar/cafe in Stratford High Street called Rodina-2, with Labour Party comrades, John Saunders and John Whitworth (we are known in West Ham as the "Three Johns").   

I genuinely wonder, that if in the future it survives, the Rodina-2 , will eventually be recognised as the latest version of a traditional "East End" pub? I hope so. 

Getting the Vote Out: West Ham Ward 2022

 

Tonight we were delivering these reminder leaflets to "Labour Promises" (Residents who had previously indicated that they supported Labour) in West Ham ward. First time I have had a QR code on my leaflets. 

Newham Labour

West Ham then Plaistow West & Canning Town East with Lyn Brown MP ("We Stand with Ukraine" Street)

Canvasing pictures from West Ham Ward this week and the new Plaistow West & Canning Town East Ward today with our local MP, Lyn Brown. 

In West Ham ward we had a stall outside the station with Canning Town North and we did the two tower blocks in Leather Gardens (many thanks to Jordan from UNISON Voluntary orgs branch for joining us). 

A pretty positive response apart from one resident who was very angry that he had not been able to move from his overcrowded flat and blamed the Council for this failure. I tried to explain that we have a massive housing shortage in Newham and we need a change of Government to solve this crisis but I knew he was so angry that he would not listen. 

Today after picking up our new GTVO leaflets from printers the West Ham candidates myself, John Whitworth and Charlene Mclean had a last week of election planning meeting then I went to pick Lyn up for the PWCTE session. 

This was another great canvassing session (with Cara the Labour attack dog) and I was very impressed with one street where they had so many pro Ukraine leaflets in their windows. They had also raised money for War relief charities. Well done! 

In the afternoon I had the joy of Labour Group officers then a very good training on Election Day and "The Count". 

"Out of Sight, Out of Mind - Abuse, Neglect and Fire in a London Children's Workhouse, 1854-1907" By John Walker

I was really pleased to be invited to the launch later this month of a new book by local Forest Gate historian, John Walker. Check out @e7_nowandthen

This will take place at https://www.newhambooks.co.uk/ where you can also order the book (Pub 26 Aug 2021 ISBN 978-1-7399142-0-2. £12.99 from all good bookstores).

One of the very last history events I attended before the first lockdown in 2020 was a talk followed by a guided walk led by John at the site of the Forest Gate Childrens workhouse. 

On New Year's Day this year, myself and my fellow ward Councillor, John Whitworth laid a wreath in remembrance of the 26 young boys killed in the fire at the workhouse in 1890. 

(I also by coincidence know John's son, FT journalist, Owen Walker via the pensions world and must get around to write up an appreciation of his excellent book on the Neil Woodford scandal which was also published this year). 

The Three Johns (& crispy tripe)

 

Just back from a lovely catch up and meal with my two West Ham Labour comrades, John Saunders and John Whitworth, at 012 Bar & Grill in Stratford. 

While putting Newham and the local Labour Party to rights, over some beers and lovely Nepalese food (chili chicken, cheesy chips, mutton Thali, seasonal veg and crispy tripe - no comment please) it was also so good to meet up in person again. 

Vote Labour (& Co-operative)

In West Ham Ward, London Borough Newham. You have 4 votes

East End May Day Rally - Yiddish, Cockney & Bengali Culture mix of Labour Movement Politics & History

After we finished campaigning in our ward, my Labour & Co-operative colleague John Whitworth and I went to the "East End May Day Rally" in East Ham Working Mens Club. This was organised by the Bangladeshi Workers' Council and the Morning Star.

We were late but within minutes of walking into the hall we were singing along (badly) to the French Revolution anthem "La Marseillaise" in Yiddish!

Next there was a local (E17) "Steve White and the Protest Band" who also wanted audience participation and sang several great songs including one advising the EDL to stick their racist hatred up their a...

At the end there was also a musical performance of the "Internationale" in Bengali which we were also invited to join in and sign along.

In between there was a number of political speeches, including that of our very own Newham Cllr, Anamul Islam, who gave a nicely presented speech about how the Labour movement should unite and join the Labour Party.

I am not sure that democratic Parliamentary reformism is everyone's cup of tea but if it is, then they are more than welcome in the political branch of our movement. 

London, Newham and West Ham Labour Action team

My favourite 2018 local election campaign picture so far.

After leafletting a local school, we met up with London Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan, Newham Labour Mayoral Candidate, Rokhsana Fiaz together with the rest of the West Ham Ward Labour Action Team (John Whitworth and Charlene Mclean).

Hat tip picture Rohit

West Ham Labour Action Team & Labour's Plan for Newham

I declare an interest!

"Punk Corbyn" West Ham delegate at Labour Party Conference 2017

My fellow ward Councillor, John Whitworth, was our elected West Ham CLP delegate for our National Labour Party Conference this year.  Check out this page for his detailed report on conference as our CLP delegate.

http://www.johnslabourblog.org/p/labourparty-conference-2017-report-of.html

(apologies for the formatting)

Picture of John from a previous conference when The Guardian fashion team featured him and other Labour activists. They described him in these terms :-

"Whitworth’s shades and anarcho-syndicalist beard suggests Punk Corbyn".

Love it :)

West Ham Corbynistas Fashion Gurus

This brilliant photo was today featured in The Guardian's fashion page  "Get the Jeremy Corbyn look". My fellow West Ham ward Councillor, John Whitworth, (left) is shown standing next to former Newham Councillor (and Labour Party activist) John Saunders. The photo was taken outside the Labour Party conference in Brighton on Monday, where the both of them had been handing out literature to delegates from the left supporting "Campaign for Labour Party Democracy" (CLPD).

This is the caption  "The two Johns – Saunders and Whitworth – are everything you would expect from proud Corbynistas: grey-bearded, casual-jacketed and profoundly political. With the cravat and finer shades of blue, Saunders is Chic Corbyn, while Whitworth’s shades and anarcho-syndicalist beard suggests Punk Corbyn". 

Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

Update: The two John's enjoy their moment of fashion fame at our  West Ham Ward meeting yesterday :)



 

West Ham Ward welcome to our new Labour Party members

Picture from last Thursday with West Ham ward officers busy filling out names and addresses on welcome letters to new members. We then went out and hand delivered the letters speaking to the new members whenever possible. 

The new members I spoke to were really pleased that we had called. Let us see how many become active.
                 

"West Ham Branch Labour Party

Dear Member

I hope that you are enjoying the summer. I am writing to welcome you very warmly to West Ham Branch Labour party.

This has been a strange time for Labour supporters in Newham: both proud of our Labour MPs who increased their majorities, but also desperately sad and worrying for everyone who cares about protecting the vulnerable, about education, about the NHS, about people in low-paid work, about people who need benefits... and sadly the list goes on.

Here in West Ham we are determined not to take the General Election result lying down. Now more than ever we need to show people that we are a vibrant, passionate and compassionate alternative to the Tories. Our residents, especially those who are suffering under the Tories' policies, need to see us speaking out on their behalf. So we will be getting out and about again, building up our presence and aiming to build our membership.

I am therefore asking you if you could do one or more of the following?

• ·         come to a meeting
• ·         invite your friends
• ·         canvass with us

Come to a meeting

We normally hold monthly ward meetings on the first Thursday of every month. This can be anything from a political discussion, a joint discussion with a neighbouring ward and a speaker, nominating candidates for various offices in the Local Constituency Party, to a social. Information about each meeting is sent out in advance. If you have a topic you would like to discuss, please do email or phone our Branch secretary John Whitworth with your suggestion.

Invite your friends

According to some research most people join a political party because someone asked them to. Think about your friends and family, especially the ones who shared our dismay at the election result. Have they joined the Labour party? Have you asked them to join? Might they be interested in becoming a supporter for only £3 so they can help choose the next Labour leader? All supporters, friends, well-wishers and hangers-on are warmly welcomed.

Campaigning

If you've never been canvassing before, don't be nervous! It's good exercise and great fun, and residents generally are pleased to find someone has made the effort to knock on their door. But if you're interested and want to come along, please email or call our Branch secretary John Whitworth and we can make sure we keep you in the loop.

We really hope to see you soon. Please don't hesitate to drop us a line if you want to get involved, if you have any ideas, or any questions.

Warmest wishes,

Seyi

Cllr Seyi Akiwowo

Chair of West Ham Branch Labour Party

@WestHamWard

www.facebook.com/WestHamWard

Why I support the TUC Demonstration "Britain Needs a Pay Rise" #Oct18

This is the speech that my fellow West Ham ward Councillor, John Whitworth, gave in the Newham Council Chamber on Monday evening.

"I am seconding the motion to actively support the TUC Demonstration “Britain Needs a Pay Rise” for three main reasons:

1) Social justice 2) Political benefits 3) Material and social benefits

Social justice - People in full-time employment should be able to earn enough for them and their families to be able to live decently. At the present time this is often not the case. This Tory-led government until now has allowed the minimum wage to fall below the level of inflation, forcing the poorest paid make the greatest sacrifice in the austerity programme and increasing the gap between rich and poor even further.

Over the last 40 years there have been many improvements in British society, often resulting from the efforts of the Labour Party, but during this period the divide between the most wealthy and the poorest has continued to widen.

I believe that as members of the Labour Party we should have as a minimum objective to promote greater equality by reducing this wealth gap - and supporting the TUCs campaign to raise workers’ pay is a necessary step in this direction.

2) Political benefits

Responding to the call of the TUC to help organise the “Britain Needs a Pay Rise” march will bring the Council, party activists and residents together with the unions in a common cause to improve the pay and wellbeing of the poorest paid.

The Council, as an employer, has not always been able to side with the unions, but as Labour councillors I believe we have a vocation to support them in their defence of workers’ interests whenever possible. This is an occasion when the whole of the Labour movement can put pressure on the Coalition government to help the greatest victims of the government’s policies. In the run up to the General Election when the Coalition seems at last ready to offer the poorest paid more, our championing of their cause will only be judged to our credit.

3) Material and social benefits

Apart from the justice of the case for raising the minimum wage – and ensuring the means of enforcing it – the social benefits of better pay are well-known. In our borough where there are such a large number of low income families, the greater ability of workers to thrive by their own efforts will promote economic resilience and provide incentives for the unemployed to accept jobs that seem worth doing, thereby fostering the social integration of the newly employed.

Our participation in the march “ Britain Needs a Pay Rise” will send a message to poorly paid workers that we actively support their cause and do not accept the Coalition’s policy which has imposed on them the greatest sacrifice and so far has denied them the benefits of the recovery".

(Motion was passed unanimously - following the change in rules I think that John may be the first ever Councillor to be pictured speaking at a full council meeting?)

West Hammers in Ilford North #labourdoorstep

Yesterday morning after my Council Surgery I joined fellow West Ham CLP activists "next door" in the marginal seat of Ilford North.

We joined up with the Labour Candidate Wes Streeting and his team. 

West Ham CLP has been "twinned" with Ilford North (and Thurrock) for the General Election.

It is of course absolutely vital that we win these marginals next year to get rid of the Tories.  It will not be easy but I pleased to note that I did speak to residents who had voted Tory last time but were considering voting Labour in May.

Picture of Wes (2nd left) and team which included our "Supernice" and cute secret weapon in getting out the Labour vote, the pint sized West Ham ringer and number one "knock-er up-er" Milly!

You can find out details of further Ilford North campaigning here. 

Election Day West Ham Ward 2014

This post is about my day as a Labour Councillor candidate last Thursday on Election day.

It started at 7am outside the polling station in West Ham Church School in the Portway, E15. This was one of 4 polling stations in West Ham Ward, Newham. My fellow Labour candidate Freda Vaughan was outside Vicarage Lane polling station while John Whitworth was covering Manor School.

In the morning it was blue skies & sunshine. It was quiet but there was a steady flow of voters. I went and introduced myself to the Presiding officer and staff at Church and then Ranelagh school.

We are allowed to speak to voters outside the school gates, ask them to vote for us and offer a leaflet. After a stream of "Don't need to ask, I'm voting Labour", "Labour all the way", broad grins, thumbs up and even pats on my back, I had one women shout at me that she wouldn't vote for Labour, she was a real socialist and we should shoot that **** of a leader. I wasn't sure if she meant Ed Miliband or Robin Wales but I responded by telling her that we did not want her support and that she is barred from voting Labour! When she came back she seemed to have changed her mind somewhat and said a cheery "Good luck anyway".

After 10am there was a lull and I had a full English breakfast with Freda at Solmos cafe. John had to go to work (he is a teacher at a FE college and could not take the day off).

When we came back to the polling stations we found out that the Tories had arrived! Conservative candidate Matej was born in Slovenia. He seemed a decent bloke but when I asked him what motivated him politically to be a Conservative candidate in the UK he didn't really give me an answer.

I didn't have a conversation with Farahana (see photo collage) who was the Asian British female Tory candidate but did speak to her friends and family who were supporting her (none of whom lived in Newham). It was clear that they were not actual Conservative Party supporters. They would support Labour during the general election but felt that in Newham the local Party leadership was arrogant and would not listen to their concerns.

The 3rd Tory candidate was Mary (see photo collage) who was far too nice to be a real Tory and admitted that she had been "volunteered" to be a candidate.

Unlike elsewhere in the borough, where there was disgusting Respect style intimidation and violence by so called "Conservative" supporters, the West Ham ward "Tories" and their supporters were friendly and pleasant. A little over enthusiastic at times and strong believers that they could convince voters to support their cause at the door of the polling station.

I accepted a soft drink from one of the Tories and posted on Facebook - is this "treating" and does this make me a class traitor?

Some of the voters were rather direct and rude to the Tories. In particular those who were suffering from the impact of the bedroom tax.

The weather changed and it poured down for a while but then cleared up.

We had a number of local Party volunteers to fly the flag outside polling stations including Veronica and her baby! Normally I would not have spent all the time on polling stations and instead would be "knocking up" Labour supporters and reminding them to vote. However, we decided to keep an eye on the Tories. I also "stole" top UNISON canvasser, Montrose Matty (white tee-shirt) from Plaistow North ward to help keep them in line.

Monty and I noticed that the family supporters of Tory candidate Farahana were encouraging people only to vote for her "number 5"on the ballot paper. We decided to helpfully pass on this information to the other two Tory candidates. This caused some upset in the "blue" team.

In the evening our local MP, Lyn Brown (and Cara, her Labour attack terrier) joined us on the polling stations. At 10pm the polling stations closed and we went off for pizza and red, red wine

Re-elected as Labour Councillor for West Ham

I was privileged to be re-elected as a Councillor for West Ham ward in Newham, London today, together with Labour colleagues Freda Bourne and John Whitworth. It has been an exhausting past few days, weeks and months. Once I recover I will post in more details about polling day and the count.

Labour won all 60 Council seats in Newham by large margins and Sir Robin Wales was re-elected as Executive Mayor with 61% of the vote.

I have said it before and will say it again, it is a humbling experience to be shown so much trust and support.  Many thanks to all those who voted for us and to those who helped out campaigning in the ward (big thanks to my UNISON comrade, Montrose Matty, for sorting out over enthusiastic Tories outside West Ham polling stations)

West Ham - results

Election Candidate	Party	Votes	%
Freda Ann Bourne	Labour	2046	24%	Elected
John Whitworth	Labour	1939	22%	Elected
John Gray	Labour	1913	22%	Elected
Farhana Firdous	Conservative	617	7%	Not elected
Mary Antwi	Conservative	525	6%	Not elected
Matej Gasparic	Conservative	456	5%	Not elected
Michael Edward Armstrong	UK Independence Party (UKIP)	381	4%	Not elected
Edgar Aguinaldo Garen	Liberal Democrat	259	3%	Not elected
Sheila Iris Brown	Christian Peoples Alliance	231	3%	Not elected
Myrtle Verona Laing	Christian Peoples Alliance	151	2%	Not elected
Joe Mettle	Christian Peoples Alliance	136	2%	Not elected

West Ham & Stratford Super Saturday

This morning and afternoon we went door knocking in some of our West Ham ward high rise and tower blocks.

We had been keeping them back this campaign to canvass when it has been raining but so far (touch wood) we have been really lucky with the weather.

During our lunch break I went with my fellow West Hammer candidate, John Whitworth, to Stratford ward who had a "Super Saturday" with our MP, Lyn Brown, (and Cara the Labour attack dog).

I spent some time with an elderly resident who has lived in her block for 50 years. Who wanted to tell me what life was like when she first moved into West Ham. She still likes living here and her neighbours but due to mobility problems finds it hard to go to the supermarkets in Stratford.  She  wishes that all the local bakeries, greengrocers and butchers she remembers from 1964 were still around. 

I also had some good natured banter with some cheeky West Ham youngsters playing football in the street who with glee rescued our canvass team when we got locked inside a communal garden area.  

While many things have indeed changed in the last 50 years, I bet that the kids playing football in Cridland Street, E15 have changed not one bit.

Click on photo to bring up detail.