"Education stalwart remembered as Mayor of Newham leads tributes to former councillor Graham Lane"

 I did not know Graham that well. He stood down as a Councillor in 2010 the same year that I first stood. 

However, I did go to various political events and campaigns (see posts) with him and found him polite, thoughtful and well informed. 

I did enjoy his book "How Different Governments Have Weakened Local Government and Democracy"  

A true public servant. 

"On behalf of everyone at Newham Council, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE has offered deepest condolences to the widow, family and friends of former councillor Graham Lane who died on Thursday 25 March 2024.

Graham Lane served as a Newham councillor for 24 years from 1986-2010, having been elected as a Labour councillor for former Hudson ward between 1986 to 2002; and Plaistow South ward in the West Ham parliamentary constituency between 2002-2010. He served as a member of the Social Housing Committee and the chair of the Education Committee at the Council, in addition as the Labour Chair of the Education Committee of the Local Government Association where he also led the statutory National Employers for Teachers body.

Mayor Fiaz said: “Graham was a dedicated Labour councillor resolutely committed to improving the opportunities and outcomes for all Newham residents, particularly our children and young people. His passion for education and youth services in our borough has been an inspiration, and we continue his legacy through our enduring commitment to make Newham the best place for children and young people to realise their ambitions and achieve their potential.

“He started his career as an inspiring teacher at Little Ilford Secondary School, and during his time on the Council was instrumental in establishing the Newham Sixth Form College in Plaistow. His focused commitment to improve the outcomes and life chances for all children and young people in Newham extended to a passionate advocacy at national level. He was instrumental in the introduction of Educational Maintenance Grants for 16-19 year-olds so that those from non-traditional and working class backgrounds could access further and higher education.

“It is this legacy of honourable, honest and ethical public service that will be cherished by all who were so privileged in knowing Graham. My thoughts and prayers to his beloved wife Isabel, and his family and friends who will forever love him at this saddest of times.”

Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Councillor Neil Wilson, said: “I was privileged to know and work alongside Graham in political circles for over 40 years. Throughout that time his commitment to the young people of the borough, and nationally, both in education and youth services, inspired me and many others in our involvement as councillors, governors and officers. He was a very active councillor in Plaistow, who served his constituents well, and was always diligent and conscientious in all aspects of his council work.”

During his time as a Councillor in Newham, Graham played a major role in the development of community and inclusive education; alongside forging productive and positive working relations between school governors, teachers and the Council. As a member of the Newham Music Trust, Graham promoted the development of music enrichment services for children and young people across the schools in the borough; and was a member of the Plaistow Community Forum advocating strongly in the interests of local residents.

In 2013, Graham published the notable book ‘How different Governments have weakened Local Government and Democracy’, reflecting on his experience as a councillor.

He was also a board member of the National Youth Agency; the Open University Council; the National Institute of Adult Education; the European Lifelong Learning Commission; the Institute for Education Business Excellence; Partnership for Young London; the Young People Now Foundation; the National Learning and Work Institute; and Youth Access.

Newham Councillors will be paying tribute to former councillor Graham Lane at the Annual Council Meeting on 23 May 2024 taking place from 7.00pm at the Old Town Hall Stratford.

Graham Lane’s funeral will be held on Friday 26 April at 11am, at Manor Park Crematorium, Sebert Road, E7 0NP. At the family’s request, donations instead of flowers would be kindly received for the Alzheimer’s Society, c/o Co-op Funeralcare, 148 North Street, Romford RM1 1DL".

UNISON PAYS TRIBUTE TO DENIS KEATINGS

Regional Tribute

"It is with great sadness that we report the death of our much loved friend and comrade Denis Keatings, Joint Regional Convenor of UNISON NI. He will be greatly missed by generations of UNISON members whose causes he championed throughout his entire working life.

Denis joined NUPE in the 1970s and was part of the historic struggle known as the Winter of Discontent, when public service workers engaged in sustained strike action for pay justice. For his fearless leadership Denis was soon elected as Convenor of the Mater Hospital, then part of the NUPE's largest branch, North & West Belfast District Health Branch, covering the Mater, the Royal Victoria Hospitals and social services across the North and West of the city.

He campaigned for equal pay for the women cleaners, successfully spearheaded the fight against privatisation of catering and cleaning services at the Mater and supported our members through some of the darkest times of 'the Troubles'. In 1993 UNISON was born and the Mater Hospital became a union branch in its own right. Denis was immediately elected Branch Secretary, a position he would be continuously returned to for more than 20 years until, having won the confidence of the entire membership of UNISON in Northern Ireland, he was elected as our Joint Regional Convenor.

Denis was a trade unionist to his core. He wanted nothing more than justice and fair treatment for our members and they in turn loved him for it. We all did. He was a big, fearless, loyal fighter with a generous heart. There was no task he would not tackle, serving the members in the workplace, across Northern Ireland, at UNISON UK level and in the ICTU.

He tackled injustice wherever he found it, whether it was the denial of workers rights, death threats against health workers, attempts to downgrade his beloved Mater Hospital, the plight of the homeless in North Belfast or the plight of the Palestinian People.

We are proud to call Denis a UNISON activist. We pay tribute to the enormous contribution he has made to our union. We will miss him deeply. We send our love to his partner Elaine and his whole family.

Patricia McKeown, Regional Secretary


National Tribute

Dear Colleagues

Tuesday 19 May sees the funeral of Denis Keatings, UNISON Northern Ireland joint regional convenor. Denis’ colleagues at Mater Hospital will pay tribute at 10.25 as his funeral cortege passes the hospital. If you’d like to pay a virtual tribute to a lifelong champion for working people, please print out this heart and take a photograph of yourself holding it, or add it to your social media profile at 10.25 on Tuesday. You can add your own words or use these: We stand in tribute to Denis Keatings, our thoughts are with his family, his friends and our UNISON family today.

DAVE PRENTIS

GENERAL SECRETARY

My Tribute

At 10.25 today.

Obituary: Tributes to former Newham leader who saw through first council eviction over racism

Hat tip Newham Recorder "Tributes have been paid to former council leader Frederick Jones, who has passed away aged 84.

Born to Bill and Violet Jones on May 5, 1935, the former Newham Council leader who loved fighting in the ring and political arena attended Tollgate Primary and Plaistow Grammar before running May's Cafe near Freemasons Road.

His daughter, Sandra Jones, said: "His heart was representing the people of Newham. He just wanted to do right by people and fight their cause."

A left-wing councillor, Frederick became disillusioned with the direction of Labour under former prime minister Tony Blair and the knock on effects in Newham.

He became an independent councillor after a brief stint with the Liberal Democrats, representing the then ward of Greatfield.

In the 1980s, Frederick had risen through the ranks to become the councillor in charge of housing when the local authority expelled a family from their council home for being racist.

"I'm proud of the fact he did that. It was quite controversial because Newham was quite a racist place then.

"He always stood by his beliefs and wouldn't let anyone deter him from what he deemed to be right," Sandra said.

The keen chess player was no stranger to battles, having taken on the then Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher over hospital closures in Newham in the 1980s.

But a dedication to the people of Newham drove him on and saw him take a leading role in getting Newham University Hospital and London City Airport built.

Frederick married Lesley Garner in 1958 after their love of sport brought them together. They went on to have three children.

Much of family life revolved around politics. Sandra recalled leafleting and canvassing with her dad in the build up to elections.

"When he was no longer part of the council he would still help anybody. He was always keen to do right by people. That's how I remember Dad," Sandra said.

Frederick passed away in his sleep on May 13. He is survived by his children Leslie, Sandra and Claire and four grandchildren.

He will be laid to rest at City of London Cemetery in Aldersbrook Road at 11.30am on June 5."

Rest in Peace Joby

"A ROUGH sleeper found dead in Malvern on Christmas Day..."

"At least 440 homeless people died in UK in past year, study shows"

"Homeless deaths rise by a quarter in five years, official figures show"

A modern day British Christmas Tale. A photo I took last night. 

In a historic & wealthy market town, a young man sleeping rough in the doorway of a department store is found dead on Christmas Day. 

Paul Cockerell - Life long Socialist, Trade unionist & Hammers fan - RIP

On Friday afternoon I went to pay my respects at Paul's funeral at Manor Park crematorium.

Paul was a Forest Gate North and West Ham Labour activist who also lived round the corner to me.

A lovely non religious service for a life long socialist, trade unionist, music lover & West Ham FC supporter.

I sat next to a UNISON staff member who remembered the kindness of Paul and his wife Sue, 30 years ago to him when he was a student living nearby.

Some wonderful eulogies from his niece, lifelong university friend and neighbour.

Then typical generous East End wake at the Forest Gate Tavern.

Perfect send off. 

Rest in peace Paul. 

Max Levitas - Battle of Cable Street Anti Fascist Veteran RIP

Life long anti-fascist and former "Red Stepney" Councillor for 15 years, Max Levitas, has passed away aged 103. I first met Max many years ago when he was probably in his late 80s and he addressed a meeting of Tower Hamlets residents opposed to the stock transfer of its Council estates to housing associations.

To my surprise, after savaging the Council, he then turned his fire on certain left wing anti stock transfer protestors, who he also attacked in no uncertain terms. I asked a trade union colleague, who was a member of the trotskyist SWP sitting next to me, what was going on? He replied "We are still the Wreckers and Splitters".  Max was of course also a lifelong supporter of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB). Fabulous photo of Max above by Charlotte Barnes.

Max was the son of Jewish refugees who fled Eastern Europe to escape Russian persecution. He and his brothers Sol and Maurice fought alongside thousands of local residents and stopped the fascists marching through East London at the Battle of Cable Street in 1936.  See the Battle of Cable Street Memorial above.

Check out this marvellous interview of Max on Channel 4 News.

Max used to take number 25 bus from Stepney to do his shopping twice a month in the Stratford Centre, Newham and occasionally he would join our regular Saturday, West Ham Labour Party street stall and have a chat with us, warn us about Trotskyists, exhibit the "Morning Star" and happily pose for photos. He told us that he would always vote Labour unless a "real communist" was standing.

Definitely end of an era and an important link in our history but the modern day battle against fascism in all its forms continues. RIP Max

"Remembering Irene Stacey – a stalwart of our union, and a friend"

A fitting tribute from our General Secretary, Dave Prentis to Irene.

Throughout her time in UNISON – and through her illness – Irene’s bravery was clear to everyone who knew her, and an inspiration to all of us who worked and campaigned alongside her. She will be a huge loss to our NEC, her branch and our union.

Irene Stacey, a long-standing member of our NEC representing low-paid members in London, died earlier today after a long illness.

Irene was a stalwart of our union. Someone universally admired and respected by members, activists and staff alike. Formerly the branch secretary of UNISON’s local government branch in Newham, Irene served with the dedication and passion for which she was famous.

Her enthusiasm for our union was infectious. A passionate recruiter of new members, Irene was rewarded by the TUC for her efforts, and never stopped encouraging people to join UNISON – even when she was being treated in hospital. Yet if she was passionate about getting new members into the union, she was equally as strident when it came to standing up for them. To Irene, our members were amazing people who needed all the support they could get, and who deserved the best – and she saw it as her role to ensure that was the case.

The Labour Party was another organisation through which Irene fought diligently for better public services, better rights at work and better pay for all those who work for our communities. Irene sat on our Labour Link committee, always keeping conversations grounded in the realities of our members experiences, and represented UNISON at many Labour conferences, including in 2017. Irene was undergoing treatment at that time, but she would not let that stop her from playing a full role in the delegation.

Yet her dedication to the Labour Party never stopped her from holding the party to account. I will never forget Irene, about to be awarded a gold badge by the TUC for her recruitment work by Gordon Brown, taking the opportunity to upbraid the then Prime Minister over widow’s pensions.

That was typical of Irene. Throughout her time in UNISON – and through her illness – Irene’s bravery was clear to everyone who knew her, and an inspiration to all of us who worked and campaigned alongside her. She will be a huge loss to our NEC, her branch and our union.

Our thoughts today are with her beloved daughters Jo and Mandy, and her wider family.

RIP Irene – our friend.

George Michael - My Favourite Memory

A great artist. RIP George. 

Alan Brown RIP

Sad to hear that long standing UNISON member, Alan Brown, (see picture 2nd from left 2011) has passed away. Alan was a Caretaking Chargehand in Old Ford Housing Association since being TUPE'd transferred in 2007 from Tower Hamlets Housing.

I have known him for some 20 years. Alan was hardworking, thoughtful and had a wicked and self- deprecating sense of humour. He will be missed.

His funeral is this Thursday 24 March 2016. It will leave his home at 34 Sebright House, Coate Street, London, E2 9AD at 11am then going to Manor Park Crematorium for 12.30 returning to Sebright House afterwards.

His sister Jill says everyone who knew him is welcome. Alan had diabetes for many years and if you wish to send a donation instead of flowers she has set up a Just Giving Page https://www.justgiving.com/Jill-Brown13 for DiabeticsUK

Anton Moctonian RIP

Sad news to hear about the sudden death of Anton Moctonian. He was a former UNISON activist but I knew him as a Trade Union studies tutor.

He was a great tutor not only because he was an experienced trade union steward who knew practice as well as theory but because he was that rare bird in our movement; someone who was thoughtful, pragmatic and genuinely interested in ideas and different views.  

Hat tip picture and review from Camden Trade Council. 

“Camden Trades Council deeply regrets the loss of Anton Moctonian, who died suddenly at home of a suspected heart attack on Monday 28 December.

Anton, a long-time Camden resident, had been a militant union activist for virtually the whole of his adult life, having been first a NUPE and then Camden UNISON steward in the Council’s Housing Department, becoming the Assistant Branch Secretary (Blue Collar).

During his time in Camden he earned a reputation as an exceptionally committed and effective representative, doggedly defending many individual members and helping secure victories for whole sections of manual workers.

After leaving Camden UNISON nearly a decade ago Anton undertook studies including employment law at Keele University becoming an energetic and much valued tutor with Unite the union, though he also consistently followed the UNISON branch’s campaigns, not least those for the London Living Wage for catering staff in the borough’s schools and the recent battle with parking enforcement contractor, NSL.

The Trades Council extends its condolences to Anton’s many friends and comrades in Unite and UNISON as well as the wider labour movement, but in particular to his partner of nearly 30 years, Vaughan Thomas, himself a long-standing and widely respected RMT activist.

Details of his funeral/memorial service will be circulated at the earliest opportunity.”

Colin Parsons RIP

I learnt yesterday from Montrose Matty of the death of Colin (see on left of picture with stripped tee-shirt during the Tower Hamlets Housing Strike of 1999) .

Monty and I worked with Colin in  Bow, East London for a number of years.

It is really sad to hear that he has gone. My condolences to his family and friends.

A former meat delivery driver, East End Publican, Self taught IT expert, Tower Hamlets Housing officer and the self-deprecating purveyor of some of the worse jokes and puns known to man. Colin will be missed.

Bill Wakefield

I've just heard the news that Bill Wakefield, a former Tower Hamlets NUPE branch secretary and  Councillor passed away last night after a long illness.

Bill (seen in picture standing with white shirt addressing a housing strike committee meeting in 1999) was  employed originally as a Gardener by the Council.  He was also a fiery resident rep, staunch Royalist and upon his retirement, a vocal pensioner activist.

His passion and commitment to the interests of ordinary working people in East London will be missed.
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