Elected to UNISON Labour Link National Committee (& Vote for Anu in regional elections)

 

On Monday I was really pleased to find out that I had been re-elected (after 2 year gap of course) to the UNISON National Labour Link Committee by NEC (National Executive Council) colleagues to the 12 seats that the NEC hold on that committee (the others by regional and self-organised groups).

Labour Link is the UNISON political fund that in principle supports the Labour Party (but not on everything if they get things wrong in our view) but wants a Labour Government to be elected asap.

Only NEC Labour Party Political fund levy payers "supporters" can vote in these elections and only Labour Party members can stand for Committee positions. 

I will be bringing up at this committee issues of grave concerns to my members such as fire & rehire, cuts to pay and terms of conditions (such as defined benefit pensions!!!!)

Of course, some hard left extremists who hate the Labour Party and only pretend to support them in order to vote or stand took part but but I think most of their candidates got nowhere.

Regional elections for delegates to National Labour Link Committee by all levy members will take place soon. My branch nominated  the excellent candidate, Anu Prashar,  for the Greater London seat. 

John McDonnell MP at West Ham Labour dinner

Picture collage from last Thursday West Ham Labour event. Many thanks to everyone involved. We had solid 250 tickets. It was a great night out and we have raised loads for money for the CLP. 

UNISON Greater London Labour Link Forum 2018: Speaker Joe Cox "Unions Together"

This picture is from last weeks joint meeting with UNISON Labour Link Greater London & Eastern Region Annual Forum. This took place in the UNISON centre in Euston Road, London.

I had chaired the Greater London Forum meeting beforehand. I really think that there such an excitement about Labour politics currently and that all unions should use this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to recruit and organise.

The Guest speaker was Joe Cox from "Unions together". He gave a powerful speech (see text below).

"Good morning colleagues and comrades.

Thanks for inviting me here and thanks for everything you do in your workplaces and for the Labour Party.

My name’s Joe and I’m from TULO – The National Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation or unionstogether as we are known more commonly.

We have two roles:

- To be the voice of the 12 affiliated unions within the Labour Party

- To campaign for a Labour government in the TU movement because we believe that only a Labour government will govern in the interests of working people and their families.

Right now the choice between a Labour Party that will govern for the many and a Tory government which govern for the few couldn’t be starker.

And the consequences could not be bigger.

I’d like to take a few minutes of your time today to encourage you to do everything you can to send a message to the Tories at these local elections on May 3rd.

I’d like to start by taking you back to April 2017.

I was in Labour HQ when Theresa May called the general election.

You can imagine the reaction.

We were all extremely calm and hugely delighted.

Let’s not forget, we were 21% behind in the polls.

What transpired was for my money the most incredible general election campaign in post-war history.

The general election campaign showed the Labour movement at its best.

- A bold manifesto which gave hope to millions

- A newly enthused influx of Party members and trade unionists campaigning up and down the country

- A trade union movement that provided the grounding and insight of working people as well as resources the party needs

During the campaign the Labour Party tapped into a growing sense of anxiety and frustration.

Britain is the 5th richest country in the world…

…But working people are poorer than they were 8 years ago

Britain is the 5th richest country in the world…

…But working people are under increased pressure to deliver more for less in their workplaces.

Britain is the 5th richest country in the world…

…But homelessness is increasing.

Britain is the 5th richest country in the world...

...But life expectancy in our poorest communities is going down

Britain is the 5th richest country in the world…

...But under the Tories more children are in poverty, our NHS is failing and our schools and social care are in crisis.

More and more people feel that the system is rigged against them, but in 2017 the Labour Party, you, gave people hope that things could be different.

Fast forward to March 2018 and it’s all too easy to forget that we have made huge strides forward.

We are neck and neck with the Tories and we are the biggest political party in Western Europe.

And with local elections on May 3rd now is the time to build on last year’s successes.

Because we know what a difference Labour councils make:

- Over 89 Labour councils paying the living wage

- Over 30 councils have signed UNISON’s Ethical Care Charter providing dignity for those in care and for care workers

- Newham Council providing free school meals for all primary school students

- Islington Council delivering 2,000 genuinely affordable homes by 2019

- Oldham Council introducing a licensing scheme for private landlords to stamp out the letting of poor quality accommodation

- Preston Council buying locally to support 1,600 jobs and keeping wealth in the local community

Many more Labour councils doing extraordinary things under really difficult circumstances.

Labour councillors - the foundation stone to forming the next Labour government.

The Labour Party was born from the trade unions in 1900 because working people needed a collective political voice.

They needed a collective voice that could compete with the power of capital, bosses, business and landlords.

Working together TU’s and the Labour Party have achieved so much.

- The formation of the NHS in 1945

- The first Equal Pay Act in 1970

- The minimum wage and rights to paid holiday in 1998

- The Equality Act 2010

So much has changed since 1900 and yet so much has remained the same.

In the run up to the snap election in 2017 the Tories received the following donations:

Andrew Law, hedge fund manager - £250k

Steven Parkin, logistics mogul – £250k

Mark Coombs, investment manager - £300k

John Griffin, owner of Addison Lee - £900k

John Gore, theatre producer - £1 million

John Armitage, hedge fund manager - £1million

The Conservative Party, the party of the rich, for the rich, by the rich.

They might have the money but we have the people.

We have people like yourself that deliver public services day in and day out. You know what Tory failure means on the ground. You are best placed to persuade colleagues, neighbours, family and friends that voting Labour can improve their lives.

So let’s use this opportunity to send a message to the Tories.

Let’s use these elections to say to voters:

Vote Labour to give local government the funding it needs

Vote Labour for real action to tackle the housing crisis

Vote Labour for a world class education for all

Vote Labour for safer communities

Vote Labour to give working people the pay rise they deserve

Vote Labour to give the NHS and Social Care the funding it needs

Vote Labour – for the many, not the few."

Chuka Umunna Streatham PPC at UNISON Labour Link Mobilising Black Members Event

Picture collage from event on Monday evening with Streatham Labour PPC, Chuka Umunna, guest speaker to a mobilisation event in our national HQ of black members sponsored by UNISON Greater London Labour Link. I was there as Chair of that committee.

The aim was to encourage members to volunteer to campaign for Labour in the General Election. The event was run by my ace London Regional Council Officer colleague, Liz Baptiste. Other speakers included our Assistant General Secretary, Liz Snapes, Acting London Regional secretary Stephanie Thomas, London Labour Link committee member James Beckles and National officer for Race Equality, Margaret Geer. 

Chuka gave an excellent speech on why we all must support the Labour Party which was warmly received. He is bright, articulate and has the gift of powerful persuasion. 

It was a bit of a speech fest with Stephanie, Liz, Liz, James and Margaret making the case for Labour and for becoming active in the campaign and making it clear that there was an alternative choice in British politics. 

The best (and only way) to progress equality for all is if we all vote to elect a Labour Government on June 8. 

Nearly all of the UNISON members and their guests present filled out a form to volunteer for Labour in the General election. Result!

UNISON Consultation on Labour Party Leadership contest

All eligible Unison members who pay the political levy (known as Labour Link or APF) should have got this email. Let our National Labour Link Committee know your views about who to support (I am also on the Committee). Your chance to vote in the Labour Leadership election  |    Send to a friend   |    View in a browser

Labour Leadership 2016 26 July 2016

The UNISON Labour Link committee has a decision to make and wants to hear your views UNISON membership number:###### Dear John, As you may be aware, the Labour Party is running a leadership election. In early August, the UNISON Labour Link committee will be meeting to discuss their nomination.  In past leadership elections they have made a nomination, looking at which candidate most closely reflects the policy priorities for UNISON members and our public services and who has the ability to lead the Labour Party to election success and into Government so that our agenda can be put into practice. To help the Labour Link committee decide whether to nominate and who to nominate, they are canvassing views from all UNISON members opted into the UNISON Affiliated Political Fund. What would you prefer the UNISON Labour Link committee do? Nominate a candidate for the Labour leadership Don't nominate any candidate as members can use their own vote Please click one of the buttons above to indicate whether you think they should nominate a candidate. A follow-on question will ask you who they should nominate, if they decide to make a nomination. Your response is anonymous (to avoid chasing people who have already voted, we will be able to see who has voted but not how). Whatever the committee's decision, the election will be one-member-one-vote, so it will be individuals like you that decide which of the two candidates is elected. I realise that this is a period of great uncertainty in politics and in the country. Please be assured that whatever the decision of the Labour Party, and whoever is in power, I and UNISON will continue to support the hard-working people in our public services. Kind regards Dave Prentis UNISON general secretary

More information Can you vote in the Labour Leadership election? To be eligible to vote you need to be a UNISON member before 12 January 2016. You also have to register as an affiliated supporter of the Labour Party. You can register quickly and easily if you participate in this consultation by clicking one of the two big purple buttons above – or by using our online Labour Leadership election self-service tool. Check your registration status Why are you receiving this email? To take part in political activity, unions are required to maintain a political fund. At UNISON, a small proportion of your subscription (3%-6.5%) can go either into the Affiliated Political Fund (Labour Link), the General Political Fund (GPF), both, or neither. You don't pay any extra to be in either of the political funds, it's just your say over how that portion of subscription is allocated. Our records indicate you pay to the Affiliated Political Fund (Labour Link). Labour Link works directly within the Labour Party to take UNISON’s policies into the heart of the party. If you wish to change how your subscriptions are allocated, you can download and complete a form to  transfer to the General Political Fund, contribute to both funds, or contribute to neither. More information on the political funds

Newsletters and Christmas Cards for Ilford North

This afternoon West Hammers went to Ilford North to help deliver a Labour newsletter and Christmas cards from local candidate Wes Streeting. 

In the newsletter there is a picture of Wes from 2010 when he was President of the National Union of Students with the current Tory MP for Ilford North, Lee Scott. It showed Lee has pledged to vote against any increase in tuition fees for students in the next Parliament.

Yet when he was re-elected Lee refused to vote against it and just didn't turn up for the debate. As a result students are now paying £9,000 per year.

By coincidence Wes is now standing against Lee Scott. Wes says "If MPs like Lee Scott kept their promises, students wouldn't be saddled with record levels of debt. This is one of the reasons why people don't trust politicians anymore". 

The weather was dry, sunny but cold. We were kept warm walking up and delivering to both sides of  Tomswood Hill and side streets.

West Ham CLP has been twinned with Ilford North for the General Election. UNISON London Labour Link has also been tasked with helping the local party.

To get rid of Cameron and form a Labour government we have to win our marginal seats.

A Manifesto for Labour 2015: Newham Compass with Jon Cruddas MP

This should be a great event which I am sorry to say that I will have to miss. The venue is really good and we have a private room with access to a bar.

Richard Howitt MEP speaks to Joint London & Eastern Regions UNISON Labour Link

Immediately after our London UNISON Labour Link forum last week there was a special joint meeting with London and Eastern region. The first speaker was Richard Howitt, Labour Member of European Parliament.The meeting was chaired by Link National officer, Keith Birch.

Richard began by pointing out that the long running UNISON campaign against the reduction in Meat hygiene inspectors had been proved right over the recent horse meat scandal.

He then spoke about Europe and contrasted the "left" in who want to inflate their economies in order to create growth and jobs with the "Right", who want cuts and austerity. While in the UK the only reason why the Tories are talking about leaving the EU is not really because of sovereignty but is all about rolling back Social Europe and reducing employment and health & safety protection for workers. He also reported on the recent victory in a recent EU judicial decision (Viking) in favour of labour rights above that of Capital.

I asked Richard in Q&A that the parts of Europe that seemed to being doing better in this recession were countries who have greater income equality and have greater public spending and progressive taxation. He replied that he tended to agree and said that countries such as Finland which have high taxes are amongst the most efficient and most productive economies in the world.

When he and other Labour MEPs were criticised by a London miserablist for apparently not standing up to the last Labour Government, Richard reminded him that they all refused to toe the line over the agency rights regulations and they were even sent letters threatening deselection.  While he had to say "No Prime Minister" over the issue in a very difficult telephone conversion with Gordon Brown.

He finished by reminding us all that 1 in 3 British jobs depend upon trade with EU and that the UK is a member of a number of international bodies such as the UN, ILO, IMF, World Bank etc. but no one says we should have a referendum on this. Next speaker was Chuka Umunna MP which I will post upon soon. 

Croydon North By-Election: UNISON London Labour Link Voter ID

After today's TUC Pension Trustee conference I went upstairs in Congress House to the UNISON regional office for a voter ID telecanvass session.

There was only a few of us at Congress House but more at the UNISON centre in Euston Road.

We used the same very efficient and clever (but a bit buggy) software that we used in the GLA elections last year to ring the 800 UNISON members in Croydon North.

UNISON members are an interesting lot to ring up. You get a far better quantitative and qualitative response than normal Labour Party telecanvassing. Most of those we manage to speak to (the curse of the answer machine) will be more honest and open about their voting intentions. It is humbling how many will immediately volunteer their total support and that of their family for the Labour Party. While you also have frank conversations with rank and file members about their gripes and moans about the union.

I may have been just a little lucky tonight but conversations I had with members, who by and large had never spoken to a union bod outside their workplace, were positive and constructive. Labour candidate, Steve Reed, does seem quids in to be the next Croydon North MP but no one should take anything for granted.

If you can help out during the next 2 days go to :-

"Ruskin House (first floor)
23 Coombe Road (corner of Park Lane)
Croydon CR0 1BD

Times of opening:
Wednesday 28 November between 10.30am to 8pm
Polling Day Thursday 29 November between 8.30am and just before the polls close at 10pm.
We need all the phones to be constantly in use, so please don’t wait to be asked. Ring 07985 290 644"
UPDATE: Victory for Steve and Labour

"Effective working across the Labour movement "

(hat tip London Labour Party - members only) Saturday 7 July 10.30am- 4pm, Labour Party Head Office London 

Join us at Labour's new London HQ to learn how local Labour Parties are working with our Trade Union and Socialist Society partners to campaign and organise in new and innovative ways.

We will be joined by Helen Symons, National Campaigns and Communications Officer for the Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation (TULO) as well as guests from the socialist societies. 

Sign up to:

Find out how to make contact with and buiild relationships with Trade Unions and Socialist Societies in your area

Learn about some great joint campaigns across the country, meet, share ideas and best practice with fellow Labour campaigners 

The training day starts at 10.30am and will finish by 4pm. Lunch will be provided and the cost for the day is £10.

To sign up click here.

(What a good idea to have this training. I hope it goes well.  I would have gone but will be at the UNISON Labour Link Forum at Cardiff that day)

Meet Ken Livingstone at the UNISON Centre Tuesday 6 March

UNISON Labour Link (APF) London Regional elections 2012



Dear Colleagues

Strictly in my personal capacity I would request that you consider supporting the following candidates in these elections. Please pass on to any other branches you think may support us.

REGIONAL LABOUR LINK COMMITTEE Male Seats 5 votes (blue paper)
ANDERSON, Jason

BODMER, Joel

DAVEY, Mike

GRAY, John

GRIFFITHS, ALAN


NATIONAL LABOUR LINK FORUM Male seats 3 Votes (yellow paper)
ANDERSON, Jason

DAVEY, Mike

GRIFFITHS, ALAN


NATIONAL LABOUR LINK FORUM Female Seats 5 Votes (pink paper)
ALASHIA, Sanchia

BENTLEY, Lynn

DAVIES, Doreen

HANSON, Gloria

SILVER, Kim


LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2012 General Seat 1 Vote (pink paper)

DAVEY, Mike

Many thanks please give me a ring if you have any queries. Ballot papers have to be back to Cally Thompson at Regional office by 12 noon Friday 16 March 2011. You can fax by 020 7535 2105.

Don't forget to sign up for London Labour Link forum by this Thursday 1 March (the Forum takes place the following Tuesday 6 March 4.30-6pm at the new UNISON centre). Later that day 6-8pm at the Centre there is a launch event on a campaign pack for Ken Livingston and the GLA candidates. Ken will be there to say a few words. This invite is for all activists.

John Gray

UNISON London Labour Link (APF) Elections 2012

This is our election statement. I will post the full slate later (which will include others who put forward a separate statement).

"We are seeking election to represent the views of APF payers in the London Region on the Regional Labour Link Committee and at the National Labour Link Forum.

The Tory-led Coalition Government continues to drive through its plans to privatise our schools and NHS, and cut essential public services and jobs which hit the poor and the vulnerable hardest.  We need to get all our members involved in the Labour Party at all levels, through affiliating to their local CLP and building links with local Councillors and MP’s to ensure that their views are heard and understood and that trade union issues are kept on the political agenda.  We need to use our influence in the Labour Party to campaign for a real alternative to the coalition’s damaging cuts.

As active UNISON and Labour Party members we support the link we have with the Labour Party, and strongly believe in supporting the Party, but also in campaigning for or against change where it impacts on our members.

The recent statements made by the Labour Party leadership about public sector pay restraint and cuts have been very unwelcome and unhelpful.  We believe the best way to respond is to be part of campaigns within the Party to reverse the leadership’s decision to back these damaging policies.

In less than 3 months Labour faces its biggest electoral challenge since the General Election – the London elections.  We are proud of the role our union has played in the campaign to date, but we must do more in the last few essential weeks to get every UNISON member in London voting Labour.  It’s time to get rid of Boris Johnson and Brian Coleman and return Ken Livingstone to City Hall and a Labour majority on the GLA".

Ken in Newham

This evening I joined Labour Candidate for London Mayor, Ken Livingstone and his team as they visited the historic Theatre Royal in

Stratford.

Ken had been in Newham all day and had already gone on a Housing enforcement visit with Council officers and Newham Mayor Robin Wales in the morning. He then had a briefing with local Councillors and a Q&A with students at Newham College, as well as a “walkabout” in Green Street.

With Ken was Assembly member Val Shawcross (who is standing for Deputy Mayor) local Assembly member John Biggs and Newham’s finest, GLA Candidate, Councillor Unmesh Desai (who is also East Ham Labour Party Agent).

At the Theatre Royal there was firstly an informal meeting with staff and local actors (whose first break had been in the Theatre) in the “Green Room” followed by a brief tour of the theatre and a visit to a Performing Arts class to observe a lesson on “improvisations”. Which was simply enormous fun to watch. Afterwards there was a very relaxed discussion between staff, the young people and Ken, Val and John about the future of performing arts, dance and further education generally. I think the photo above is great. 

Afterwards we went off to the Didsbury Centre in East Ham for the Newham “Tell Ken” event (sponsored by London UNISON Labour Link) which I will post upon soon.

Fare Deal Rally: Ken for London

From UNISON Labour Link - Ken Livingstone has announced details of his ‘Fare Deal’ Rally to bring together Londoners who are campaigning for fairer fares.

The rally will be held on Wednesday 23^rd November at 7pm at the Camden Centre, Bidborough St, WC1H 9AU and feature individuals and organisations from across London alongside leading national politicians –
Sign up to attend the rally and find more information about Ken’s campaign for fairer fares on: http://www.kenlivingstone.com/faredealrally

London Labour Party Dinner 2010

On Thursday evening I went with UNISON colleagues to the London Labour Party fund raising dinner.  It was packed with people.  The guest speaker was David Miliband MP who gave a simply superb speech.  He was as usual very articulate and thoughtful but he was also I thought far more passionate and expressive than I had ever seen him before.  He gave in fact a tour de force. Even people who don't agree with him politically thought it was excellent and inspiring.

He told a great self deprecating story about being in a husting in Norwich and waving what he thought was his Labour Party membership card at the audience while reading out our aims and values.  Only to realise what he was actually waving was his Premier Inn hotel card. 

Another great story was that he had been approached to speak at this meeting 3 or 4 months ago while he was still of course campaigning to be leader.  After being invited by the London region organiser his office queried whether the invite was only in the event of him being elected Party leader or not? Which he took when he found out as meaning even his own office had its doubts about whether or not he would win!

Without any apparent bitterness or rancour he again and again stressed the importance of helping to get Ed elected as the next Prime Minister.  Only 4 out of the previous 19 Labour Leaders had actually been elected as Prime Minister.  He even swore a little (well, he used the word “bloody”) when describing this ‘orrible coalition government. 

David argued that the much better than average results during the election in London was the base for the renewal of the Party nationally.  Which obviously went down pretty well with the audience.

London Labour Chair and GLA Group leader Len Duvall was the compere and Stephen Pound MP (of course) took charge of the inevitable Labour Party raffle and auction. It was a good night.

(picture above of the London UNISON Labour Link crew)

London UNISON supports Ken for London Mayor

 London UNISON "Labour Link" (APF) today decided to support Ken Livingston to be the Labour Party candidate for Mayor of London in the 2012 elections.

I chaired this part of the meeting and the decision by the elected Committee lay members was pretty one sided and there was a clear consensus. Everyone present said their bit.

I also reported that UNISON National Labour link had carried out a telephone poll of our levy payers and had found that Ken had 2:1 support.

A number of committee members spoke highly of the other candidate, Oona King, but we felt the person best placed to beat Boris in 2012 and work with UNISON was Ken.

After this decision we then had yet another really good wide ranging political debate about who to recommend to our national Labour Link delegate for London, Rachel Voller, for the Labour Party leadership.  The result of which we agreed to keep confidential until after the meeting of the National Labour Link committee next week.  This committee will decide who we should advise Labour link members to support (or whether or not to make any nomination).  Again, everyone present contributed to the debate and we also watched on DVD the closing speeches of all the candidates at the UNISON Labour Link hustings last month.

Finally, on behalf of the committee I offered congratulations to the other Chair, Lollypop Louise, on her victory last week in defeating the Nazi BNP candidate, Richard Barnsbrook, in the by-election in Barking and Dagenham Council.  Great news!

Members were also reminded of the West Ham Leadership hustings we are sponsoring (and to which local UNISON Labour link members have been invited) this Sunday evening at Stratford, E15.  All candidates have confirmed that they will attend and we will be trying a "different format" than other hustings.
(picture of Ken at our London UNISON Regional Council in May with our Convenor Gloria and BA picket Nikki)

UNISON London Labour Link says “good bye” to retiring MP Keith Hill

This is a little late but picture is from this month’s Greater London UNISON Labour Link Committee meeting. Former Housing minister and UNISON member Keith Hill gave the Parliamentary report. Keith has now retired as MP for Streatham and spoke very highly of Chuka Umunna who is standing to replace him.

In the Q&A I brought up the Notting Hill Housing Strike and also asked Keith (who is still Chair of Lambeth Homes) if he thinks we need a Labour Party public housing forum in London to win the “Battle of Ideas” over housing policy.

He gave positive but diplomatic answers to both questions.

The committee formally thanked him for his contributions to our committee and wished him well in “retirement”.

In this photo there are 6 members of the committee who are standing as Labour Party council candidates including Louise Couling (8th from left) who is standing against the fascist BNP Barnbrook in Barking and also Rachel Voller (1st left) who is the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Romford.  There was also at least one other PPC in the room at the time.

St Joseph's Day Massacre – UNISON London centre left win

Came home tonight to find a letter from Region with this year’s result of UNISON London Labour Link elections. It was another clean sweep for the forces of “light and reason” in London. Commiserations of course to the losers (apart from the entryists – you know who we mean!).

This is following on the successful outcome of the London Regional Council AGM ballot and the votes on rule changes and motions in the London Labour Link forum.  Looking back over the last few years we have had the:-

St David’s Day Massacre 2007

St Piran’s Day Massacre 2008

V for Victory 2009 (results not released on a “Saints day”)

It's been another good year for a member led and member orientated union in London...so far.  More fun and games ahead.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’ll post more on tomorrows strike later.