Labour LGA Conference 2026 (and West Ham Street Surgery)

 

Last Saturday morning I joined my West Ham colleagues for a street surgery before heading to Coventry for the Labour Local Government Association annual conference. 

During the street surgery, I had a fascinating and respectful conversation with a resident about the impact of immigration, crime, and poverty. It reminded me never to make assumptions and to expect challenges from unexpected places. The armchair warriors of both the far right and far left should spend time knocking on doors and talking to real people to realise their simplistic, bigoted views don’t reflect reality. 

At the conference, there were various workshops, exhibitors, and a phone bank. In the evening, we had a formal dinner, where you can see in picture collage, Cabinet Secretary for Housing Steve Reed MP with some of the Newham Crew. 

I was delighted to have a photo with UNISON member Brenda Dacres, Mayor of Lewisham and now Baroness Dacres of Lewisham OBE. 

The next morning featured more speeches followed by additional workshops, but I had to leave early for another commitment. "Hopefully", I’ll be able to attend next year’s conference :-)

Newham Crew at Labour Party Conference 2015 #Lab15

Picture from the traditional Conference social for members of West Ham and East Ham Labour Party members on Monday evening.

While I have no doubt this picture will now reappear in various Newham based blogs with helpful captions and comments I am sure that it will all be in the spirit of "Kinder Politics".

:)

Lab12: Last post from Peoples Party Conference

Once again I ran out of time during the 2012 Labour Party Conference to write posts on the last two days. So here is a quick summary of some of the highlights during the last few days of Conference.

Clockwise. Due to disorganisation and meanness I stayed in a hotel in Rushholme which had the worse reviews on Booking.com that I have ever seen. It wasn't that bad but one of the things that kept me fairly sane during Conference was a morning run around the fantastic City green lung Platt Fields Park (the Peoples Park).

Picture of Peoples Republic Newham Crew (and guests) in Midland Hotel bar stairs. Below Gerry Sutcliffe MP, speaking at the EU fringe for Azerbaijan (UK is the biggest investor) ; Ed Balls MP speaking to UNISON reception at the "Peoples History Museum". Ed admitted that he would have lost his seat at the last General election if not for the help of UNISON - "no doubt" and he pledged to never ignore anything that UNISON said but we would not always agree.

Then a very good and sharp fringe on ending poverty by Webb Memorial Trust (lost notes), another on pension auto enrollment with Labour Shadow minster Gregg McClymont sponsored by the Peoples Pension (lost notes); then picture of UNISON reception with Andy Burham MP and Rachel Reeves MP and final centre picture of the great leader with UNISON delegates Mike and Mandy. What a great natural relaxed smile Ed? We never knew!

Roll on Brighton 2013.