Time running out for UNISON Labour Link National Elections: Vote by Monday 27 October

"Dear Branch Labour Link Member

You should should have received a ballot paper to your home address (with SAE) inviting you to vote in the UNISON London Labour Link elections. You can vote either online or by post (obviously only once).

Voting closes on the 27th of October at 5pm.

If members have not received their ballot by the 30th of September, they can contact the ballot helpline on 08000857857.

UNISON Housing Association branch Labour Link has nominated our Committee member and active Shop Steward, Lady Lola Oyewusi to represent the Greater London region on the National Labour Link committee.

Lady Lola is a strong advocate for the Greater London region and has a proven track record.

Lady Lola will work tirelessly for our members, holding the government to account on vital issues such as the Employment Rights Bill, ensuring it’s implemented in full, on welfare rights, Palestine and in responding to the threat from Reform UK and the far right.

Lady Lola will work for fairer workplaces and communities where our members thrive and our rights are protected, no matter who’s in power.

If you wish to contact Lola with any questions please email her omololly2002@yahoo.co.uk

Yours faithfully
John Gray
Branch Chair and Labour Link Officer"

Outside London please consider voting for Tracey (Northwest region), Wendy (Yorkshire and Humberside region) and Fatima (South East Region)

Join an online campaign rally with Christina: UNISON General Secretary elections

 

I have just signed up for the Greater London Rally on Thursday at 6pm and submitted a question.

"Have you signed up to one the campaign rallies yet? Come along to hear how UNISON is safe in my hands and how we'll keep winning for members. Submit your questions and sign up at: http://votechristina.org.uk/rallies"

UNISON Labour Link National Committee Elections 2025: Vote Lola for London seat

 

Ballot Papers will be dropping through those UNISON members letter boxes and email inboxes, who choose to be part of our "Labour Link", which is the union political fund affiliated to the Labour Party. 

In Greater London region, I will be supporting Lola Oyewusi. Everyone should get a physical ballot paper and SAE to their home address as well as an email virtual ballot paper (If UNISON has a current email address for you). Obviously you will only be able to vote once. 

There is not contested elections in all UNISON regions. I will be sharing recommendations from colleagues from those regions were there are contested elections. 

Every vote counts (wining by 1)

 

I was naturally really pleased to see this election declaration yesterday (see previous post John's Labour blog: "On the knocker" in Hainault By Election) but winning - by one vote out of 2903 cast!  It must have been so stressful for the 2 leading candidates, their agents and Council staff. 

There was a recount and no doubt the candidate's counting agents would have been scrutinising every single vote. I understand that there was another Council by election victory yesterday by one vote in Norwich and of course the infamous "victory" of Reform by 5 votes when 32,655 were cast (2025 Runcorn and Helsby by-election - Wikipedia).

However, politics can be cruel and a "win is a win". I have never campaigned beforehand in any election that was so close and it makes me think how important it is when you campaign in the future to say to yourself that this election could be won or lost - by one vote. 

Labour Win in Little Ilford & Beckton Ward By-elections

 

Just back home from the Count at East Ham Town Hall. So pleased that both Blossom and Alam (5th & 6th from right) had clear wins in their elections. I will post more on the elections when I can. 

Change only happens when people vote 🗳️

 

Change only happens when people vote Voting by post is quick, easy and secure.  Your postal vote lasts up to three years and ballot papers will be sent to you automatically before an election. Apply today.

Apply by 17 April for #2May elections

https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/postal-voting

Labour Housing Group Executive Elections 2024 - Election Re-run. Finish today Friday 8.3.24 5pm

 "We have unfortunately come to the view that the ballot for the EC needs to be rerun, as it became clear that some voters had abused the system.

The list of voters will be the same as were eligible to vote on the first occasion and the candidates are the same as in the original ballot.
 
Please find the list of candidates here.
The attendance record for current Executive Committee members standing for re-election is here.

We have partnered with Anonyvoter for this election, you will receive an email from them with a link to vote shortly. Make sure you check your spam folder.

If you didn't receive a ballot and think you should have done, please contact LHGadmin@labourhousing.org.

The closing time for your vote is 5pm on Friday 8^th March.
Please use your votes!"

I posted https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2024/03/labour-housing-group-executive.html

JG "I have just voted in the LHG Executive elections for the following 10 candidates. Lot of very good people standing and apologies for those I have not voted for on this occasion. 

You may only vote if you are both a member of LHG and a member of the Labour Party.

Sheila Spencer,

John Cotton,

Ross Houston,

Heather Johnson,

Christopher Worrall,

Paul Martin,

Andy Bates

Alison Inman.

Adam Allnut

Asma Islam"

UNISON National Labour Link elections - ballot closes at 5pm on Friday 20 October 2023.

 

All UNISON Labour Link members should have received an email for regional seats (if contested and some seats were not) :-

From: Civica Election Services <takepart@cesvotes.com

Subject: UNISON National Labour Link Committee Elections 2023-2025

I got mine on Monday September 18 and I voted in London for Anu Prasher. We also received a postal ballot paper which you could still send off tomorrow and be in time (or even put a first class stamp on and send Thursday and chance your arm). 

Other suggested recommendations in other regions as below :-

Elect Anu Prashar - the members choice for UNISON Labour Link London election

Great endorsement by Eddie of Anu. Electronic ballot papers arrived by email last week and so did hard copies by Royal Mail to your home address. 

Please vote by either method (not of course in both) for Anu and the candidates below outside London (my personal recommendations). 

For a Strong & Effective UNISON Labour Link please support...

Electronic ballot papers arrived to me via email on Monday and paper ballot papers today. Please support these candidates in your regions if you are a member of UNISON and its Labour Link (use to be called APF) Political fund. Obviously you can only vote once. 

If you support the Labour Party and don't know if you are in the UNISON Labour Link check https://www.unison.org.uk/my-unison/ and join. 

UNISON NEC Elections 2023: Recommendations

1.3 million ballot papers have started to drop at the homes of UNISON members. Please vote in these elections, the future of the union is at stake. We need a NEC that will be a voice for all members, reject division, defeat this Government and stand together to make our union stronger.

Above are my personal recommendations for all the contested seats (some were elected unopposed). I have not sought the agreement of anyone to be in these recommendations. 

Everyone who has contested elections will have up to 3 ballot papers. You can vote for your regional reps (based on where you live), your Service Group (based on your job) and for National Black members and Disabled members seats (even if you do not consider yourself to be Black or Disabled). Please feel free to pass on this information. 

 

Voted for John Gray & Denise Thomas for UNISON NEC elections 2023

 

This morning my UNISON NEC ballot papers arrived at my home address.

I opened up the envelope and there was 2x candidate election statements, letter from our General Secretary, Christina McAnea encouraging us to vote, a pre paid return envelope and 2x ballot papers.

All UNISON members can vote for the national Black Members and Disabled seats. I voted for Annette HESLOP, Manjula KUMARI, Ash SILVERSTONE & Mitsy HARMON RUSSELL and then for Katrina MURRAY and Angela HAMILTON.

I work in London so had 4 votes for Regional seats. I voted for Anu PRASHAR, Sonya HOWARD, Eddie BRAND and Abiola KUSORO. 

Since I am a UNISON member who works for a Community organisation (Housing Associations, Voluntary sector and Charities) I voted for myself (John GRAY) and Denise THOMAS

I placed both ballot papers in the pre paid envelope and will post tomorrow via royal mail. 

If you work in a different region and for different types of employers you will have different choices. Check out recommendations how to vote elsewhere

https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2023/04/unison-nec-elections-2023-my-personal.html

UNISON NEC Elections 2023 - My personal recommendations for all contested seats

 

1.3 million ballot papers have started to drop at the homes of UNISON members. Please vote in these elections, the future of the union is at stake. We need a NEC that will be a voice for all members, reject division, defeat this Government and stand together to make our union stronger.

Above are my personal recommendations for all the contested seats (some were elected unopposed). I have not sought the agreement of anyone to be in these recommendations. 

Everyone who has contested elections will have up to 3 ballot papers. You can vote for your regional reps (based on where you live), your Service Group (based on your job) and for National Black members and Disabled members seats (even if you do not consider yourself to be Black or Disabled). Please feel free to pass on this information. 

UNISON NEC Elections 2023 - Vote Denise & John for Community

 

1.3 million ballot papers are being sent out to UNISON members homes from today via Royal mail. Please see the message that Denise and I have sent out to the 46 UNISON branches who have nominated us and who we have asked to circulate this message to their Community (who work in Charities and Housing Associations) Members (but not the above flyer).

Dear Branch Secretary

Once again, many thanks for your nomination of the both of us for Community NEC. The ballot papers are starting to go out Monday 17 April and we would be most grateful if you could send out to your members by your usual methods of communication our photos and hopefully the nomination statement below. This will be in accordance with UNISON rules.

We have also both made a 1 minute video introducing our self and what we want to achieve if elected.

Denise https://youtu.be/fq6168G3c2c

John https://youtu.be/eUfR3sZ6cCI

“This Branch is nominated Denise Thomas and John Gray in the UNISON National Executive Council elections to represent Community Female seat and General Seat. We did so because they are committed to:

1. Putting UNISON Members first
2. Representing members when they need help and support
3. Winning better pay and decent pensions for all
4. Fighting Cuts and Austerity
5. Building a union that looks after you and your family

These are the values and priorities of the majority of UNISON members.

Values and priorities that your branch hold and support

Make sure your voice and branch is heard.

Many thanks

Denise and John

UNISON NEC Elections 2023: Recommendations on National Seats

Hi

Denise and I support these recommendations by lay activists in these Self organised groups for the NEC election which will start next week. We will also be sending out soon a wider list of recommendations which will include candidates who have not sought or asked for any endorsement. 
 

UNISON Greater London Region Labour Link Elections recommendations 2022

 

It is election time for London Regional Labour Link. Please consider voting for this slate. Obviously a lot of compromises and horse bargaining has gone on and there are good candidates missing from some or all positions in my strictly personal set of recommendations. 

Ballot papers have been sent out to all London UNISON Labour Link branch officers or Branch Secretaries if the Labour link post is vacant. Please return ballot paper to Cally Thompson by email to c.thompson@unison.co.uk by no later than 12 noon on Thursday 3 March 2022. If you will have problems submitting your ballots by scanned email, please contact Cally as soon as possible.

Last Chance to vote in UNISON National Labour Link elections 2021 - Ballot closes Wed 13 October 5pm

 

If you are a UNISON member who is affiliated to the Labour Party, you should have received a ballot paper to your home address and an email (If UNISON have an email address for you and if there is a contested election in your region). 

You can only vote once either by post or email.

These elections are very important and the ballot closes at 5pm Wednesday 13 October. So if you have only a postal ballot you should send tomorrow. 

Check your emails for sender CES <takepart@cesvotes.com> (mine has sent on 8 September) or subject "UNISON National Labour Link Committee Elections 2021"

My recommendations are :-

East Midlands - Janet McKenna

Greater London - Anu Prashar

North West - Karen Atkinson

Northern - Linda Hobson

South East - Maureen Cleator

South West - Alison Evans

Yorkshire and Humberside - Ken Curran

Keir Starmer Leader Speech to Labour Party Conference 2021

I am back home after spending the last 5 days at Brighton for the Labour Party Conference 2021. It was great to be back in Brighton at a physical, real life face to face conference, after all this time. 

I was there as a Party member (self funding) and not a delegate. I am knackered but still attended my UNISON branch committee zoom this evening. I will try to post further on conference later. 

The highlight of a wonderful week (speeches, stalls, fringes, discussions, arguments, gossip, good food, late night debates - mixed in with just a little bit of socialising) was the keynote leader speech by Keir at the close of conference. 

I thought it was a wonderful speech which showed us, a potential future prime minister. He has the 3 "P's" - "politics, policies, personality (and I would add "grit"). He is the only person that can take on the SOS that have ruled us disastrously for so, so long.  

I now think we have a really good chance of a win at the next general election. 

Frankly, after 11 years of Tory rule, nothing else matters. 

Anu Prashar "I'm voting for Anu...She'll be a strong voice for London"

By now UNISON members who are part of Labour Link (the political fund that supports the Labour Party and fights to bring UNISON values and priorities into the Party) should have received their ballot form by post to their home addresses (and email if the union has a valid email address for you). You can only vote once! Since the security code can only be used once.

The ballot helpline is @ UNISON Direct - 0800 0857 857 if you require your ballot paper in a different format, or if you haven’t received one by now, they can help. There is also a textphone number 0800 0967 968 for members with hearing difficulties. 

Outside London check out below my (John Gray) personal recommendations for other contested regional seats.

Anu Prashar - "the members choice" UNISON Labour Link elections

UNISON Labour Link members should have got an email or postal ballot (or both - but with the same security number). Please vote for Anu and outside London consider the following recommendations here

https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2021/09/unison-labour-link-elections-2021.html