UNISON Community Conference 2025

 

Saturday 1st March was Day 2 of the UNISON Community Seminar - then Conference in Bristol. Saturday was also of course St David's Day which the Welsh contingent (including myself) celebrated (but I have been told off for not wearing a daffodil) 

It was a motion based conference and there 16 different motions debated during the day on a wide range of Community specific issues. 

Before (and afterwards) Conference, my UNISON NEC Colleague Denise Thomas and I handed out our leaflets outside the Conference hotel, asking for support in the forthcoming NEC elections (ballot papers out 21st April) and also for our fellow minded allies (mostly those from members together). 

I spoke twice in support of motions on behalf of the Community Service Group Executive on "Challenging racism and discrimination in Community" and then on "Sectoral Bargaining in the Housing Associations Sector". I will post my speeches another time. My branch and London SGE colleagues, Lola and Joseph also spoke as did Denise. 

So a good conference (and seminar). Many thanks to the Hotel staff for looking after us so well and for UNISON staff for supporting us and giving up their Saturday. Bristol was lovely and I will definitely return again. 

#LondonForEveryone | A Message For All Londoners

Tonight there was a briefing for all London Labour Councillors by our Mayor, Sadiq Khan. I sadly missed most of it due to trade union case work. 

Sadiq's team have retweeted this great video about his recent message to all Londoners. When we have racist and islamophobic MPs attacking London and spreading lies, it is really good to have our mayor "tell it as it really is".

"A message for all Londoners: Whatever walk of life you come from, if you live in London, you're a Londoner, and this will always be your home. It’s so important that we remind everyone of the value of our shared ties and experiences during these difficult times. Our diversity truly is our greatest strength—because we all make London. Find out more about our #LondonForEveryone campaign:
https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-..."

"Ban racists for life from all football matches in England"

I am not a football fan and also I am not English but from a Welsh/Scots background but I have lived in England far longer than anywhere else. I was disappointed for Wales and Scotland teams but pleasantly surprised and pleased how well the English team performed on and off the matches. England should be so proud of their young team and the fact they did better than any other in the last 55 years. 

They are all in my mind true English Gents. I am incensed by the vile and disgusting racist abuse that some of them have received after yesterday's match. A close UNISON friend of mine who is black (and happened to have served in our Armed Services) sent me a screen print of something on Snapchat which left me stunned and enraged (which was also separately circulated in another UNISON  activists Whatsapp group).

I have signed this petition for life long bans for all such racists at football matches  but I hope that the Police can (and will) act and prosecute these criminals who have produced and shared such vileness. 

This is what a union mate, who is a very traditional white working class boy from Bethnal Green had to say about such abuse

"Ignorant arseholes. They all did their very best... and they can be proud of their achievement to get that far.."

Agreed. Well done boys. 

In memory of George Floyd and in solidarity with those standing up against racism and injustice

"Last night, Labour authorities all over Britain lit up buildings with purple lights in memory of George Floyd and in solidarity with those standing up against racism and injustice".  hat tip Labour Party tweet

Check out Newham Town Hall, Newham Dockside and Stratford Town Hall (not show in tweet)

"there is no place, whatsoever, for any form of racism in the British Army...(if you don't agree then "get out")"

Ace comments by a British Army veteran, Sgt Major Glenn Haughton, about racists in the British Army.

"Haughton's service medals include the Gulf Medal, the General Service Medal, the Iraq Medal, and the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal, and the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct.^[5] In January 2014, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for distinguished service.^[8] In the 2018 New Year Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).^[9]

Newham Stand up to Racism - No to Trump & Oppose Tommy Robinson

Picture taken this evening before Labour Group meeting in the Old Town Hall Stratford.  Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz and Labour Councillors supporting the March and Rally this Friday against the visit of US President Donald Trump and the "Oppose Tommy Robinson" demo on Saturday. 

Hat tip Cllr Rohit Dasgupta

Being taught to hate...shocking picture even after 25 years

Was this little boy nowadays one of the torch bearing Nazi thugs in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend?

"racist, spineless, uneducated scum" (Yep they are. I agree)

I haven't always agreed with everything our local weekly paper "Newham Recorder" has published over the years (or not published) but I totally agree with the comments below by its editor Michael Adkins on the foul and disgusting abuse my inspirational ward Councillor, Seyi Akiwowo, (photo right) received recently.

"While the birth of Facebook and Twitter has helped connect people like never before, launched careers, created millionaires, allowed us to follow our heroes and get in the mind of President Trump, social media has a sinister side.

It allows odious keyboard warriors to post wretched personal insults and threats from the privacy of their home, workplace or library.

It’s fast becoming a breeding ground for trolls who feel it’s given them free reign to insult, harass and threaten hardworking, decent honest people with their bigoted and racist bile.

Impressionable children are at risk of online grooming or 24/7 abuse from a playgrund bully.

At 25 years old, Cllr Seyi Akiwowo is Newham Council’s youngest representative.

Her work at the European Youth Hearings would have been a proud moment for all who know Cllr Akiwowo and the London Borough of Newham.

But the Twitter trolls simply saw it as an opportunity to show their true colours - as racist, spineless, uneducated scum.

Policing and managing social media is one of the biggest challenges we face and I’m not sure we have the answers.

Media organisations are subject to strict laws, rules and regulations when publishing stories. However, individuals are rarely prosecuted for breaches on social media.

Worryingly terrorist organisations like ISIS have used social media to spread their hatred globally.

Check out nspcc.org.uk for guidance on how to safeguard your children from the dangers".

Seyi speaks to ITN's Lucrezia Millarini on London Tonight about racist filth she has recieved

My local Councillor (and good friend) Seyi Akiwowo was interviewed by ITN about the disgusting and vile racist abuse she has received following a video shown on you tube. Shame on "You Tube" and "Twitter" for doing frankly bugger all about it and failing to even contact her.

You Tube and Twitter are obviously happy to make money out of racist outbursts. All they are bothered are about the number of "hits" so they can sell more stuff. Shame on them as much as the Nazi interbreds who have attacked young Seyi.

I was so proud of Seyi when I first saw the orginal video when she stood up to fascists trying to close her down.

Mayor of Newham issues public apology to Travellers and Gypsies

"Comments made by the Mayor of Newham were said to be "racist". Sir Robin Wales has formally apologised to Gypsies and Travellers for making comments deemed to be “casual racist banter” at a council meeting.

The Mayor of Newham said he was “sorry for the distress caused by my comments, how they came across and how they were interpreted” in a letter to the London Gypsy and Traveller Unit (LGTU).

The apology, released via Newham Council, referenced offensive remarks made during a conversation between mayor Sir Robin and deputy mayor Lester Hudson at a cabinet meeting on March 17 relating to new accommodation sites for Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Before approval of an agenda item which stated “no need has been demonstrated for new gypsy-traveller [sic] accommodation at the present time”, deputy mayor Lester Hudson asked if he could have the addresses of the objectors.

Mayor Sir Robin Wales replied: “I think what Lester is saying is that we would be very happy to set up a site right next to their house.”

Debby Kennett of LGTU, who at the time called the remarks “casual racist banter”, said she accepted the apology.

She said: “We welcome this statement from the Mayor of Newham finally apologising publicly for the offensive remarks made about the Gypsy and Traveller community at the cabinet meeting.”

The joint-CEO said she was also pleased with Sir Robin’s written personal assurance that “the Parkway Crescent site will remain a permanent site for Gypsies and Travellers and the council is committed to ensuring it will be protected from any future developments in the area” in addition to a “full review” being undertaken of the housing needs of the settled Gypsy and Traveller community.

She said: “We trust that these commitments will result in tangible and positive change for Newham’s Gypsy and Traveller community.”

In his letter, the Mayor of Newham wrote: “The discussion at the cabinet meeting between the deputy mayor and me was primarily to understand more about objectors to our approach.

“We wrongly believed at the time that those objecting to our strategy were opposed to a Gypsy and Traveller site in Newham, however the objectors were the LGTU and we apologise for any confusion.”

He added that the council “has previously established an authorised public site for Gypsies and Travellers” with detailed analysis of its groups and that “other local authorities could learn much from Newham’s approach and should do much more to help these communities”.

The Newham mayor finished his letter stating: “We want to continue to work with the local Gypsy and Traveller Community so they continue to have a sense of belonging in Newham.”

This report relates to this article last week in the Newham Recorder. While I am glad the apology was made, I am concerned about why these remarks were made in the first case and why it took so long for the apology to have been made.

Check out the original report in March here.

These Czechs "worked" in the UK for less than four years. No benefits for them?

Great tweet by Tomas Prouza the Czech State Secretary for European Affairs in response to our Tory Prime Minster latest pandering to racists

The vast majority of EU citizens who come to this country come to work and are not interested in claiming benefits. 

We don't mind when young Czechs come to this country to fight and die for our freedom but if they come to work and pay taxes then should they be treated as Totaleinsatz.?

Dave Prentis - We want a Labour Government not for one term but for "15 years" #LabLink14

Our UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis spoke next after Jon Cruddas MP at Labour Link National Forum. He started by explaining how moved he was to have been last night at an UNISON event to honour activists who had helped the ANC to defeat the Apartheid regime in South Africa. .

He also also thanked long serving UNISON Labour Link officer, Joyce Kay, who is retiring this year so this will be her last National Forum.

Dave reminded us about the 250,000 local government workers who are on the  national minimum wage and the 1 million who earn less than a living wage. The Day of Action on the NHS and the Local Government Strike on 10th July is just the start. In August there a ballot by food safety members and after that the NHS. Its time that we stand up for our class, our people.

 Dave Cameron's "Big society" has turned into a bigoted society. We are a world leader in zero hour contracts. Our Councils have lost £20 billion in funding. Just pointing at the failures of the Tories will not get people to vote Labour or even get them to vote. Our Party needs to have a vision of a modern welfare state run on a not for profit basis.. We want these issues cleared up. What we want is a Labour Party committed to tackle child and pensioner poverty. We want a Party committed to build an NHS that Nye Bevan would be proud of. We do not want Labour Councils just being vehicles for putting out contracts.

Labour should have no unfunded spending commitments. But Spending and Income are two parts of the equation. Bankers should pay little more. So should the rich who are bleeding our society dry due to tax evasion. Let us have a real wealth tax. Claw back some of the great wealth of the top 1%.

The rise of UKIP is a damning indictment of the main political parties. we took on the BNP before and sent them packing.  We will do the same to UKIP. We will say what others will not say - that UKIP is a racist party and its policies are racist.

In past Labour has been taken in about business. We need and now must get alternative policies not alternative spelling. We expect Labour to support us over Pay. Opposition means opposing and supporting us. We want no weasel words. We want our demands to be heard. We want clear commitments.

It is great news that the Health & Social Care Act will be repealed by Labour. We cannot further privatise the NHS. We know that we have to win the next General Election. The Tory plan is clearly to pillar Ed Miliband. He has done some silly things such as pose with "the Sun" newspaper. We know things are difficult but we have got to have clear commitments about what Labour stands for it. We not a union that makes a fuss about affiliations, we are a union that pay our dues.

Cameron and Tories do not stand for our class. We must get rid of them. Our one objective is to kick the Tories out and get a Labour Government elected not just 5 years but 15 years.

(Co-coincidently during the break I got a voice mail message from my branch office in London who said former UNISON General secretary Rodney Bickerstaff had just popped in to say "hello". I assume he was speaking at an event in the building that we rent an office. Shame I missed him).

Hat tip picture to SusPol & Justice

"If you desire a coloured for your neighbour Vote Labour": Lambeth Tory leaflet 1964

Hat tip to Hayes People History. It is hard to imagine that such leaflets were handed out by a "mainstream" political party to the public within my life time (just).

There was of course even worse literature handed out during the same election in Birmingham 1964. This Tory, Peter Griffiths, won but was later defeated in 1966. However, he later went on to become a MP elsewhere for 20 years!

After he won in 1966 according to Kester Brewin "Griffiths was told to be expect to serve his time in Westminster as a ‘political leper,’ – something that enraged Labour MPs to sign a motion that this was “a cruel and unmerited slight on lepers.”

Labour Stall in Canning Town

Yesterday morning we set up a Party stall in Rathbone Market which is in Canning Town, E16. As we were setting up we had a short “ding dong” with a BNP supporter who thought that the repeated use of the “F” word at high volume constituted a coherent political argument about immigration.

It was actually a useful reality check to remind everyone about the BNP. Especially now that their activists are encouraged to wear suits, grow their hair and try to pretend not to be racist Nazi’s.

I thought that it was a shame that the “Hope Not Hate” leaflets and posters have not arrived yet. We will have them for the next stall.

I was actually expecting to get a bit of stick from people about the MPs allowances and expenses. People did come up to you and say “what about expenses” and “what are you going to do about it” but I didn’t pick up any significant anger about the issue although there was an clear expectation that something must be done. Lyn Brown, the West Ham MP came down to help on the stall (confusingly she is not yet the local MP since Canning Town will not form part of her constituency until boundary changes take place next year). I thought she handled this issue very well although most people wanted to discuss individual case work with her rather than national events.

There were also a large number of local people who know Lyn and her family personally. Lyn is Newham born and bred. Her Mum and Dad are also respected local community activists. There are not that many MP’s I think nowadays who could hold street stalls in their constituency and bump into people they went to school with or who knew their sister or went to a club run by the MPs parents.

We had more activists than we needed on the stall so we sent members away to canvass surrounding blocks. At the same time there was another Newham Labour street canvass talking place in Canning Town South ward with about 20 members taking part.

Unlike last week’s stall at Stratford where people seemed to want to talk about national issues. Yesterday we picked up a lot of case work relating to local issues. Canning Town does have a number of serious economic and social problems. There is an ambitious redevelopment plan has just been agreed for the Market (see here) which should help transform the area.

There was another street canvass this morning (I was skiving) and all last week we held telecanvass sessions at the Party rooms in Stratford. A West Ham CLP Facebook Group has been set up by Young Labour activists.

In all I thought the stall went very well. Local residents seemed genuinely pleased that we were there talking to people and standing proud for what we believe in. We will be back.

There was a record 5 local Party members whose first name was “John” at the stall. One of whom disgraced our true Labour movement credentials in the local Market cafe by insisting that I ask for “Peppermint Tea” for him when it was my turn to go for the “Teas and coffees”. Needless to say they only had proper British tea which was hot, strong and refreshing (and of course Indian).

Luke on Why Lib Dem's won yesterday in Valentines Ward

At the risk of it sounding just like “sour grapes” I thought this was interesting analysis reported by Luke. "There was also a by election in Redbridge yesterday, which the Liberal Democrats won. Their literature concentrated on Redbridge Council’s foreign policy and used some pretty unpleasant pictures of Gaza.

Interestingly they broke a cardinal rule by naming an opponent, just one - the Leader of the Council, Cllr Alan Weinberg.I am also told from friends campaigning in the ward, that there were people knocking on doors, speaking of Gaza and mentioning what Conservative Cllr Weinberg and the Labour Foreign Secretary have in common - which was why their respective parties were not campaigning on the council’s foreign policy.

I wonder who should be ashamed of that deceit?" East London Tory Agent Peter Golds.

Maybe after the “respect” candidacy imploded the mysterious “canvassers” that I saw last night mentioned here were those out spreading such frankly racist filth.