Showing posts with label Tea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tea. Show all posts

Friday, June 11, 2021

Oh well... let’s have a nice cup of tea (UNISON NEC results 2021)

This morning I found out that I had not been re-elected as a UNISON NEC member for Community.

Which was a blow but I offer sincere congratulations to my opponent Kevin Jackson on his election. 

Kevin is a former long serving Chair of our Community Service Group Executive and someone who I have worked with closely in the past and is experienced, sensible and pragmatic. 

I lost by 251 votes on a 5.1% turnout out of 84,487 eligible voters but such is life. 

11 years ago in a similar Community election we had at that time a 9.1% turnout (still very poor)

I am used to fighting elections in our Labour Movement family. Most I win but some I lose. If you cannot accept losing any election then don't stand in the first case. 

My fantastic Community running mate, Denise Thomas, also lost but rest assured we are going nowhere and look forward to remaining active and a possible (very probable) rematch in 2023. 

My condolences to the many superb candidates who were not elected on this occasion and I would suggest that people do not totally accept the rather OTT (in my view) analysis of the results expressed in some of the more excitable sections of social media. 

In the meanwhile check out my mentor George Orwell, on how to make the perfect nice cup of tea http://www.booksatoz.com/witsend/tea/orwell.htm


Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Tea time for change: Westminster Lobby Thurs 9 June

I've just signed up at the Tea time for change website here.  They are holding a lobby at Westminster on Thursday and have over 100 MP's who are planning to attend and have a cup of tea with a 1000 plus supporters to discuss taking a stand over global poverty.  I have emailed my MP.  I doubt I will be able to make this event but I will try and support this campaign whenever I can.

Guests include "Mitchell MP, Secretary of State for International Development, and Harriet Harman MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development,...Jan Ravens, comedienne and impressionist from Dead Ringers and Spitting Image"

For once (please, please don't tell anyone) I actually s-u-p-p-o-r-t this Government over their commitment to match the Labour promise to spend 0.7% on overseas aid (imperfect as it is).  There is obviously a split in the Government and we all need to support those few elements in it who are actually worried about their soul.