Out and about for Labour in Uxbridge & South Ruislip - Danny Beales

 

Today I joined UNISON and Labour union colleagues to canvass for Labour in the Uxbridge & South Ruislip by election. A certain Boris Johnson has stood down as the MP for the area (for reasons everyone is aware). 

The Labour candidate, Danny Beales, is a UNISON member (and was nominated as a PPC by UNISON Greater London Labour Link). 

It was very hot (31C) and one member fainted as we were given a briefing outside Uxbridge station but there was a moderate breeze. I was able to meet Danny briefly for the first time - face to face. 

In my canvass team, we went to St Andrews Park which is a new development built on the site of a former RAF Battle of Britain airfield. My very first doorknock did not go "well" due to concerns about ULEZ (emissions charge) but after that, the results for Labour were pretty good but many residents were out.

My response on ULEZ is always based on remarks by a UNISON colleague who is a London Ambulance Service Paramedic. He lives in the countryside outside the London where emergency child admissions into hospital for asthma and other breathing difficulties are rare but at work in central London it is incredibly common. 

After the canvass some of us retreated to the Three Tuns Pub to share campaign stories, gossip and put the world to rights. 

UNISON Labour Link & Labour Unions supporting Danny Beales for Uxbridge & South Ruislip By Election

 

This Sunday 25 June UNISON Labour Link and London Labour Unions are out supporting Danny Beales (UNISON member and was nominated as a PPC by London Labour Link) and his team in the important Uxbridge & South Ruislip by election. This of course follows the resignation of its previous MP, a certain Boris Johnson. 

No matter how bad the fall out for the tories from the "resignation" (or rather the jump before the evitable push) of Boris, no one can take anything for granted. So all union members are asked to turn up outside Uxbridge Underground station at 12.40 on Sunday to be briefed and ready to start the 1pm campaign session. 

Check out more about Danny and how to get involved https://www.dannybeales.com/. 

UNISON Greater London Labour Link Regional Forum 2023

This week we had our UNISON Regional Labour Link Forum meeting for Greater London delegates in our headquarters in Camden.

Labour Link is the UNISON Political fund affiliated to the Labour Party which members decide whether or not they wish to join. 

I am the elected Chair of the Regional Committee so I Chaired this Forum meeting with Vice Chair Yvonne Green. In my opening remarks, I did welcome recent opinion polls which appear to show that Labour will win the next General election but cautioned everyone that the Tories are the most successful election winning machine in Western Europe and we underestimate them at our peril. 

Saying that, we should be now planning what to do in power, since it may happen soon. Almost definitely within 18 months. 

Our guest speaker was the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Uxbridge & South Ruislip, Danny Beales. He was nominated by our committee and is standing against a certain part time MP, Boris Johnson. Good luck to Danny and his team!

Next we had our work plan, campaigning, financial report, Labour unions report, motions (Great debates and a honest exchange of views) This resulted in 2 great motions being passed and selected to be sent to National Labour Link Forum. 

A series of in person UNISON canvass and virtual "dialogue" sessions are being planned for the May local elections (not in London this  year) so watch this space. We will be supporting our members who are standing for Council seats whenever possible. Full training and support offered to new canvassers.