Elevated to the peerage

 

Hat tip to Martin's blog for this news "Lyn Brown, who stood down as MP for West Ham at the last general election, has been appointed to the House of Lords.

The full list of political peerages is here.

Many congratulations, Lyn!"

Lyn is of course a long standing UNISON member (and former local government officer). I was also really pleased that UNISON convenor (and our nominee on the Labour Party NEC) Wendy Nichols was also appointed UNISON welcomes new appointments to the House of Lords | News, Press release | News | UNISON National

Supporting Uma and Liz in Forest Gate North

 

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. 

"On the knocker for Labour" in Custom House with Lyn Brown MP & Unmesh Desai AM

 

This afternoon I went out door knocking with our MP, Lyn Brown and our East London Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai. 

We split into 2 teams. One led by local Councillor, James Beckles, with Party activist John Morris and the other by myself and activist Martin Warne. 

It was cold but dry. I was using the Labour Party doorstep app so did not speak to that many residents but it was clear from feedback that we had significant support for Labour but a few had reservations. Our former leader, Jeremy Corbyn was brought up as a reason by some why they lost faith in Labour as a potential alternative government  but it was good that Keir Starmer was getting positive comments

But the only whelming reaction was that our residents were pleased that we were there knocking on their doors in December, listening and talking to them about their concerns.

Afterwards some of us went for a drink in the historic Black Lion pub in Plaistow and we shared some sea food from the local stall. The pub was busy with West Ham FC fans, who were obviously happy with the home win over Chelsea FC. 

I had a little bit of  jellied eel, which was tasty but has a very strong flavour (the jelly puts me off) so I stuck to the pint of prawns and crab sticks. 

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Love it. NEWHAM GREAT HOUSING COUNCIL. Way to go

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Hat tip Martin Warne

Is this the best response ever to a really stupid letter?

I think it must be one of the best. Next to that given in  Arkell v Pressdam?

:)

Hat tip Martin Warne

God moves in mysterious ways: Craig joins Kippers

Great post by Forest Gate blogger Martin Warne about the former leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance, Alan Craig, who has joined the far right UKIP.

As Martin points out in his 2010 General election manifesto amongst the many "bonkers" and "unpleasant" things he said about gays and Muslims Craig also pledged to:-

"Strangers into citizens
We would tackle discrimination and embrace the talents of asylum seekers, as many successful asylum applicants are highly trained and dedicated individuals. It makes no sense to leave them on the scrapheap, unable to use their professional skills to provide for themselves, their families, or contribute to the British economy.
[Asylum] applicants will be treated as if they were British citizens with full access to state support and the right to work.
We will tackle the problem of illegal immigration by an amnesty that brings irregular workers into mainstream society, paying taxes.

A time of jubilee for the world
Aid will be given in grants and not loans and not tied to poor countries opening up their markets to powerful multinationals from rich countries.
We want the unpayable debts of the world’s poorest countries to be cancelled in full without strings attached.

I wonder how this will go down with his new mates in UKIP down the boozer on a Saturday night?