London Party Conference 2024: Tuesday

 

Weather was much better so went for another run around the boundary of the magnificent Sefton Park (opposite way from Sunday). Other than that I had a lazy start trying to decide which fringes to go to. Lots of the social housing fringes have been full so I need to get there earlier. 

My first fringe was by Labour Housing Group "The Road to Building 1.5 Homes". The Chair was Cllr John Cotton, Labour Leader for Birmingham Council for first half then he had to leave, so Cllr Heather Johnson from Camden took over. I am a member of the LHG and volunteered to be "microphone" aide to the Chair.  This meeting was also packed with many people standing or sitting on the floor. Speakers from National Housing Federation, EDAROTH, Planning Federation and Community Union. 

All were pretty positive that the new Government could achieve its housing targets but it will not be easy. However, the issue of providing subsidy for social rented homes (or first time buyers) was not directly addressed. While I am sure that setting long term social landlord rent levels, enabling planning reforms etc will result in far more homes being built - how many will be genuinely affordable? 

Other fringes I wanted to go into were also full so I was able to go early and get to see the Leaders' speech via video in one of the large theatres. It was packed and I was lucky to get a seat. There was little or no chance of getting into the conference hall. 

I thought Keir Starmer' speech was impressive and liked the mix of seriousness and humour. I did miss the reference to "sausages", possibly to some very excited delegates around me, who were clapping loudly, standing up and cheering the video. Must be an age thing. While I think many of us watching wished that he could have fulfilled, the very long, long list of things that we want a Labour Government to address immediately. Most know that is impossible. Judge this Government on what it will do in the next 4 years and not its first few months. 

Next was "Investing in our future: How can Labour build a brighter, more financial  resilient future for UK Savers" (New Statesman and massive fund manager Blackrock). Good to listen to new MP Kanishka Narayan, who has a investment background and knows what he is talking about but who also proudly announced he was a UNISON member. Not sure of the Blackrock argument that Pensions need to be combined with a short term emergency savings offer? Too many people in my experience don't have enough in their pensions and often try to cash them in too early but I understand the goal. 25% of UK residents have no savings. 

After this I went to the well organised launch of Obsidan Labour which has been set up by my UNISON colleague, Cllr Joseph Ogundemurem and new MP Bayo Alaba. 

UNISON reception this year was in the Beatles Story and it was good to chat up with delegates and guests, including my first catch up in her new role as Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner MP! 

Afterwards, was a quick drink at the second Newham "get together" then back to hotel. 

Trade Union Congress 2024: Tuesday

(better late than...) Day 3 for me started with a windy run along Brighton prom and back. Apologies but due to a number of reasons (including a furry of urgent calls and messages from my UNISON members regarding a pending deadline about proposed changes to terms and conditions) I did not make notes about Congress for the last 2 days. 

Highlights was the well received speeches by our Labour Prime Minister, Keir Starmer and our General Secretary, Christina McAnea, as well as a number of other UNISON and other speakers. 

I went to a lunch time fringe on "The digital trade union" organised by @digitcentre . I was late due to on online @unisonclarion meet on T&Cs. In that meeting with members we discussed setting up a WhatsApp group. When I arrived at fringe they were discussing merits of TU WhatsApp!

After close of Congress I went to a fringe on the new Governments proposed changes to employment rights run by ACAS. Fascinating discussions. I made a point that there is such a power imbalance at this moment between workers and employers (in favour of employers) and that we need the proposed changes to take place before we can really discuss improving the relationship and possible partnership between trade unions and employers. 

TUC Congress 2024: Sunday

This afternoon at 4pm it was the start of Trade Union Congress 2024 in Brighton Conference centre. Congress will last until Wednesday. I am here as a UNISON delegate and was really pleased that the first motion was "Standing up for care workers" moved by a UNISON care worker, Sian Stockholm. This was passed unanimously. 

The President this year is Fire Brigade Union (FBU) General Secretary, Matt Wrack,who started his career as a firefighter in Silvertown, Newham. He spoke passionately about Grenfell in his address and was also in tears after the speeches about him in the "vote of thanks" for his past year as President. 

The address by sororal delegate from the Labour Party, was by former trade union lawyer, Ellie Reeves MP (sister of the Chancellor) .  She made it clear that while there will be differences between the unions and a Labour Government, Labour under Keir Starmer will remain the party for workers. Afterwards Matt presented Ellie with a TUC Gold Badge. 

While Akhator Joel Odigie, the general secretary of ITUC Africa also addressed Congress. He reminded us that Africa supplies Europe not only with NHS workers but precious metals for mobile phones and car batteries. He wished that Labour UK plans on rolling back zero hour contracts, fire and rehire etc were not also happening in Africa.   

Final item today was remembering union activists who had passed away in the last year.

I will try and post on Congress, speakers, speeches and fringes when I can. It is exciting that this is the first TUC in 14 years to take place at the same time as a Labour Government.

Labour’s first steps for change

 

The country needs change and Labour has a plan to deliver it.

Keir Starmer has set out Labour’s five national missions to get Britain’s future back. The missions are long term, fully funded aims that will guide a Labour government’s decisions to deliver a decade of national renewal.

These first steps build towards the missions by setting out how Labour would make an immediate impact to people’s lives and kickstart a real process of lasting change.

Check out more Labour's first steps for change – The Labour Party

West Hammers on tour: Wellingborough By election 15 Feb 24

This morning four of us (Alan, Ash, Me and Varghese - all of whom live in the West Ham Parliamentary constituency) drove down to Wellingborough to support the Labour Candidate, Gen Kitchen (former Newham Councillor) in this important by election. 

It took under 2 hours to get there and we had been directed to a community centre which was a campaign hub. It was thankfully, very well organised and we were speedily booked in, given leaflets and shown a video by Gen and the Labour Party GS, David Evans, on local issues and campaigning techniques.  There was also sandwiches and drinks available. 

There was no hanging about and we were soon allocated a Labour Party "board runner" to take us "on the knocker" and remind voters that this is election day and to get out the Labour vote. 

We bumped into Rita (another West Hammer) who was campaigning with "Sikhs 4 Labour". 

Kizzy led us on our first canvass session. She is a Labour Party media organiser and this was the first time she had led a canvass team and she did a great job. We went to the Finedon ward which comprised predominantly of traditional terraced houses, but there was many blocks of flats which were converted from shoe wear factories, which used to be a major employer in the area. 

The canvassing went well but we were approached by a shop workers who asked us if she was able to vote since she had no photo ID. She was disabled and had no passport or driving licence. Sadly she was not able to vote but we did suggest that she apply for a postal vote for next election. She was angry about being deprived of her right to vote and had wanted to support Gen. 

Another elderly voter told us that she had gone to the polling station but got turned away since she had forgotten to bring her photo ID with her. She said she would go back but she was clearly frail and not well. I suspect that she too will be deprived of her vote. 

We only saw one canvasser for any of the opposition parties (it may have been the Tory candidate but we were not sure). There was in the distance a mobile loudspeaker which I believe was ranting for a far right party but could not make out what they were saying.  

One person stopped me and asked me about Gen and was very supportive of Labour but said he was worried because he had been told that Keir Starmer had been the "lawyer" for the sex abuser, Jimmy Saville. I assured him that this is totally untrue and it is a shame that opposition parties are spreading such lies and misinformation. He seemed content with this. 

We stopped for coffee and cake at a local shop then went out again this time with Rob as our "Board Runner".  Good to meet up again at the community centre, with the Leader of Greenwich Council, Anthony Okereke. 

This 2nd session was now later in the day and we found more people at home after work and it became clear that many residents had either voted already or were about to vote and they were well motivated and keen to vote for Labour. 

One lady however, told me that she had "forgotten" who she and her partner had voted for that morning. Hmmnn... I suspect she not vote for us. 

Alan drove us there and back. According to Google fit I walked 20,343 steps today (8.73 miles). 

Result is due around 4am tomorrow morning. Fingers and toes crossed for Gen and her team. Will update tomorrow. 

Good luck to Damien Egan in the Kingswood byelection. Another great candidate. 

Update: Great news @Gvkitchen & @damienegan both elected! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68313421

Labour Party conference 2023 - Sunday

Today started off with a gentle 2.5 mile jog along the Mersey then back again.  At 12.30 I took part in a well attended, lively panel organised by the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum on "Green washing" which I will post on later.  

I am not a delegate this year at conference but attending as a elected Labour Councillor and enjoying the freedom of not being required for early morning delegation meetings and attending all conference debates and speeches (no matter how boring).

In the afternoon I checked out the conference stalls and met up with various contacts and colleagues for coffee and gossip. I had a "hello stranger, long time no see" from London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, as he walked past quickly with his escort to his next event. 

At 6pm I attended the Labour Unions reception and heard some great speeches and contributions especially from our deputy leader Angela Rayner MP and leader Keir Starmer. 

Afterwards I went to the Association of Labour Councillors reception and then the Labour Friends of Bangladesh event. During which I was asked to make a speech on my role as a housing worker in Tower Hamlets for the past 31 years and as a UNISON trade union and Labour activist.  Great food and company. 

After that I went back to my accomodation and will very shortly crash out. A good day. 
 

London Labour Party Conference 2023 - Day 1

 

From my twitter feed as a UNISON Labour Link Delegate.

At @LondonLabour annual conference. Chair of Regional board #MaggiFerncombe opens conference

Next our @labour leader @Keir_Starmer MP gives key note speech on why we will only get a #labour government by winning the trust of the #British people.

Next a panel on #CostOfLivingCrises with our own @unisontheunion @unisonglr @labourunionsuk
secretary @JoelBodmer (former chair @UnisonHAB) @kimleadbeater @RNBlake #petermandelson. Peter advises us to treat recent polls like smoking cannabis "smoke but do not inhale"

After break we now have panel on "winning the General Election - getting into power" with
@LondonLabour Pearleen Sangha @elliereeves

During lunch I attended part of fringe by @RMTunion speaker Mick Lynch, @DawnButlerBrent
#ellybaker. Good to hear of their support for @labour "New Deal for working people"

Standing ovation for barn storming speech by @lisanandy on fixing the broken housing market by building #council homes (& many other things)

After Lisa panel on "House & home - solving Britain's housing crisis" @ShamaTatler Osama Bhutta
@Shelter Anya Marton @PricedOutUK chaired by @DannyBeales @Semakaleng makes point that in #london we need at least 30k social homes pa

Motions debate: @unisonglr convenor & @LondonLabour #labourlink delegate @Yvonneg57841905 seconds #Abuse is not part of the job" @CroydonUNISON

Proposing motion on "Post-Brexit - Working in Partnership" moved by @GMB_union @newham_labour @NewhamBooker @LondonLabour

Seconding the Post-Brexit motion is @CvobUnison Branch Chair & @unisonglr #LabourLink delegate @MarcelaBenede10

"It's now cheaper to save the planet than to destroy it" @Ed_Miliband speaks on "The green sprint" debate with @Miatsf @HughGoulbourne @hennassh

Final panel "Lessons from local government" @LGA_Labour Peter Robbins @timroca85 @CllrAsma_Islam @KamRai7 @GracieMaeW Regional @LondonLabour director Pearleen Sangha making her report to Conference

And final speaker @LondonLabour London Mayor @SadiqKhan . "More council homes being built in London since 1970s" "Nothing quite like handing a key to anew home to a family" "next election is a choice between a Labour Mayor on side of Londoners & a Tory on side of this rotten Government"

Liz Truss, lettuce and a lectern: 25 hours of chaos in three minutes

Love it but ashamed of our political system for allowing this to happen. Bring on slightly boring but competent Keir. We need grown ups in charge. 

Labour Party Conference 2022: Day 3 Tuesday

 

I have just realised that I still have 2 more days to post on this year's Labour Conference. So Tuesday started off with another short run along the Mersey and back from my hotel. Weather was kind compared to Monday. The UNISON delegation started with a "huddle" on the day's business just before the start of conference. 

NHS Mental health Nurse and UNISON delegate, Gordon McKay gave a marvellous and passionate speech on the Health debate. 

As posted here I spoke on the Climate change/environment debate on behalf of UNISON but by coincidence, Newham Labour member Ken Penton moved the motion  while his colleague Luke Chartist (also a PPC) spoke. At the same time James Asser was on the NEC panel. 

There was many good conference debates and Keir's speech went down so, so well. We are starting to believe we can win at the next General Election and he will be our Prime Minister. The Tories, of course, were helping by doing every single thing possible to make our conference successful with their ridiculous unfunded tax cuts which sent the pound plummeting and raised interest rates.

After conference finished I went to the UNISON reception, were our deputy leader, Angela Rayner (UNISON's own of course) came to see us and gave a great speech followed by Keir who also spoke very well and stayed chatting to delegates and enjoying the event far longer than his aides had wanted.

Only one more (half) day to go. 

Labour Party Conference 2022: Day 2 Monday

 

Another rather random collection of photos from Day 2 of Conference. I posted here on my early morning run and seeing some well known local lads

Top left is a picture from "Newham Night" when delegates and visitors from Newham met up for a drink and gossip at a local bar. 

Next was a picture of the Police on top of my hotel roof looking out, I assume, for possible security threats. 

Then pictures from an interesting fringe chaired by my Councillor colleague "Red Terry" Paul on the new trade union recognition agreement between Deliveroo and the GMB. 

As a delegate on the conference floor, I enjoyed the panel session with Keir Starmer and former England footballer, Gary Neville. I am not a football fan and had little knowledge of Gary before this but he seemed an intelligent and thoughtful bloke. 

There was the LAPFF fringe on Climate Change and Just Transition that I spoke at and have posted elsewhere. Final pictures of some great speeches by my General Secretary Christina McAnea and my London UNISON colleague, Anu Prashar. 

I also had a tasty evening meal at the Labour Friends of Bangladesh event and one or maybe even two whiskeys at the wonderful Labour Irish reception. 

Newham Voices: Local Politics 2022

 

The article above is from our local community newspaper "Newham Voices". I was interviewed as the elected Chair of Newham Councillors Labour Group, regarding local politics and the May 2022 council elections. However, my views on "first past the post" and electoral reform are clearly only mine.  Click on picture to bring up details. 

Keir Starmer visits Newham NHS Professionals

"Today we didn't get the reassurance and hope we needed from the Prime Minister."

"Starmer overtakes Johnson as preferred choice for prime minister"

Fantastic news. A long way still to go...

"Labour leader Keir Starmer has overtaken Boris Johnson as the public preferred choice for Prime Minister, according to the latest Opinium poll for The Observer.

Starmer is preferred to lead the country by 37% of voters polled on Thursday and Friday last week, compared with 35% who say Johnson would be the best Prime Minister.

While the Tories remain four points ahead of Starmer’s party on 43% to Labour’s 39%, the gap has closed from over 20% in February and early March when the Tories enjoyed a regular commanding lead as the country rallied behind the government, and Jeremy Corbyn was reaching the end of his time as Labour leader...".

The Guardian 28.6.20 and hat tip Shantu

Labour Leader Keir Starmer MP on Armed Forces Day 27.6.20

Keir Starmer

Today is #ArmedForcesDay2020 and I want to say thank you to our serving personnel, their families and our veterans.

I’m proud of my country and proud of those who serve it

"We can build a better society"

Key workers have got us through this. Let’s build a better society for them. We can’t go back to business as usual. Agree? Sign this.

Share this.

https://action.labour.org.uk/page/s/stand-up-for-social-care?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=soccare2020&source=20200514_soccare2020&subsource=twitter_organic

"Statement from GMB Labour Party staff branch in response to leaked internal report"

I must admit to being very shocked at reading about this issue and fully support the decision by Keir and Angela to launch an urgent independent investigation into the “dossier".

I note this briefing from the trade union branch that represents Labour Party staff which I tend to agree with and in which I also note that certain staff named in the "dossier" have apparently “flatly denied” making some attributed comments. 

 I definitely have serious concerns about any document being released that informs Neo-Nazis of the names and locations of Jewish members who have made complaints against them.

In the past as a trade union representative I have had to very strongly (and successfully) resist management from taking inappropriate action based on anonymous allegations and media reports.

I think that everyone should not jump to conclusions and give the independent investigation - a chance to investigate.

Keir Starmer acceptance speech (and results)

What a fantastic result (and such a relief). Keir is elected as Leader and Angela as Deputy by decisive margins (and to top it all Carol Sewell as new BAME Labour Party NEC member!). For the first time since the disaster of 12.12.19 I feel hope for our political future.

Who will lead the Labour Party? Find out 10.45am tomorrow

BBC reports "Members will learn the outcome via e-mail and the media after a planned special conference to unveil the winner was cancelled due the coronavirus pandemic.

The candidates for leader have each been asked to record victory speeches, one of which will be released alongside details of how many votes each candidate received.

The process of choosing a new leader began in December after Labour lost its fourth general election in a row".

Fingers crossed for you know who....

Last chance to vote for Keir Starmer as our Party Leader & Angela Rayner as our Deputy Leader

On this Thursday 2 April 2020 at 12 noon it will finally be over.

So now is your last chance to vote in the Labour Party Leadership elections.

Obviously there are now far more important matters to deal with than internal party elections but it is now even more vital than ever that we have competent and united Official Opposition leadership team holding the Tories to account.

I have voted for Keir as our leader and Angela as our deputy leader. I doubt that anything I say now will change anyone minds on the wisdom of that choice.
Most people vote in these elections during the first few days but there are many labour Party members and affiliates eligible to vote who have not yet got around to it.

So please vote (regardless of who you support since it is vital for our democratic process that as many participate as possible).

If the Party or your affiliate has an email address check your inbox and spam folder for a communication from labourelections@cesvotes.com. 

Please check and vote online. It only takes a few minutes.

If they did not have an email address you should have been sent you a paper ballot form. Which could be in a drawer at your home somewhere unopened. Fill it out and send back tomorrow morning (with a 1st class stamp and hopefully it will arrive in time).

Keir and Angela are the clear favourites but I was brought up in a hard trade union political school where we were taught that all elections are won or lost by a single vote. So don't take anything for granted, vote for Keir and Angela (and for Carol Sewell for the BAME seat if eligible).

The result is announced on Saturday 4 April. 

Keir Starmer urges national Income Guarantee Scheme to combat economic impact of coronavirus

Keir Starmer has called on the Government to introduce a bold, comprehensive package to protect the incomes of British workers against the economic impact caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Earlier this week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced additional financial support for businesses affected by the virus.

However, the Government has yet to provide any significant support for employees who have either lost or are at risk of losing their jobs, or who will see their incomes fall as a result of the current crisis.

Starmer is calling for every worker to have their incomes guaranteed through a new, comprehensive national Income Guarantee Scheme. The Scheme would sit alongside the existing measures announced by the Government to support the economy.

Under the proposals:

Any Government loan would be tied into an agreement with individual businesses about job protection. This week’s package of loans and grants for businesses was an essential first step, but by choosing not to put any conditions on this support, ministers provided very little protection for workers during this crisis. 

A Danish-style wage subsidy initiative would be introduced that provides businesses facing coronavirus-related job losses with direct Government subsidies to help them cover wages. 

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) would be increased and made available to all. The SSP would be trebled from £94.25 a week to match the Real Living Wage. The lower earnings limit requirement would be scrapped and SSP would be extended to be available to everyone who needs it, including the self-employed. 

Ministers should look to strengthen and expand the social security system at the earliest opportunity

Keir Starmer is calling on the Government to urgently consider these proposals and to work with trade unions to make sure the necessary measures are in place as soon as possible.

Commenting on the proposals, Keir Starmer said:

“Millions of people are already feeling the impact of the economic shock caused by the coronavirus. We have all heard tragic stories of people expecting to be laid off work or see their incomes fall.

“Days into this crisis ministers are still several steps behind where they need to be in order to reassure people facing a loss of income. Other countries across the world, such as Denmark, have shown what actions Government can take to protect people's incomes.

“The proposals I am setting out today would provide essential reassurance to people that their wages would be guaranteed during this crisis. Businesses would be incentivised to protect jobs, incomes would be protected and the social security system would be strengthened.

“These proposals are bold, but necessary. We are potentially days away from further social-distancing measures that will change British life. It is imperative that the Government acts to support workers to buy food, pay the bills and cover the cost of living.

“I urge ministers to give these proposals serious consideration and to work with businesses and trade unions to ensure families are given the help they need.”