Last Call for UNISON NEC Elections 2015.....

This election finishes 5pm Friday 15 May so there is still time to check your paperwork, find your postal ballot paper and vote. 

I am standing for re-election as a National Executive Committee member for Community (Housing Associations & Voluntary Sector) with June Poole from Rochdale branch. . 

Check out my recommendations for other Regional and national seats here or on Facebook. 

All UNISON members should have received a ballot paper at their home address by now.

If not I believe that you have until 12 noon on Tuesday 12 May to ring 0800 0857 857 for a duplicate. Lines open 6am to midnight on Monday and 6am to 12 noon on Tuesday. 

Westhammers Labour Victory 7 May 2015

This is the picture of the West Ham Labour Party election count team from 04.30 am this morning with our two successful candidates, Lyn Brown MP and Cllr Charlene McLean. This was at the Olympic Velopark.

Lyn was re-elected as our Member of Parliament for West Ham with a majority of 27,986 and 68.4% (increase of 5.8% from 2010) share of the vote.

Charlene was re-elected as Newham Councillor for Stratford & New town ward with a majority of  2,829 and 57% of the vote.

Nationally of course we were well beaten by the Conservatives who will now form the next Government. Once the dust settles down a bit I will post some thoughts on what happened and what we should be doing next.

Congratulations, to Stephen Timms in East Ham who also had a stonking victory for Labour with a 34,252 majority and 77.6% share of the Vote.

We were really pleased at the count when we heard that Wes Streeting had won at Ilford North by 589 votes and commiserations to Polly Billington and her team at Thurrock. 

Vote Labour 7 May 2015 - and lets get rid of this Tory Government

Vote for fairer taxes 
such as a Bankers tax, £2 million Mansion tax & a 50p tax rate for the rich,
Vote to abolish
the Bedroom tax and the Health & Social Care Act (NHS privatisation),
Vote to increase
the number of nurses and faster treatment for cancer and access to your GPs
Vote to get rid of 
exploitive zero hour contracts and poverty pay.
Vote to build 
a million homes, regulate the private rental sector and cap rent rises.
Vote to end
excessive employment tribunal fees & give workers a voice on executive pay
Vote to freeze 
energy bills, a £3000 reduction in tuition fees & job guarantee for the young
Vote to stop
Free schools, increasing primary class sizes and employing unqualified teachers
Vote for 
Free child care and a national care service for all.

If you support the policies above then vote Labour and remember that in a marginal, any vote that is not for Labour, is a vote for the Tories and Cameron as Prime minister.

We want what is best for the many and not for the few. We are Labour.

Final Count down for Labour (& Lucky Rainbows in Ilford North)

I am not of course superstitious in the slightest (touch wood) but the during the final pre election Ilford North doorstep tonight, our team of mostly Westhammers, got a little wet and blown around by the wind but we also saw some stunning lucky Rainbows.

Just saying.

Excellent response tonight. Lots of "thumbs up" and people saying "good luck" but it will be incredibly close. Every single vote will count. 

Tomorrow - Polling Day!

Collage from campaigning yesterday evening in East Village, Stratford led by Council candidate Charlene Mclean, ably assisted by Young Pioneer Esme.

This is the email Charlene has sent this morning to all West Ham Labour Party members as our CLP Chair.

This is just a quick reminder about Polling Day! 

Labour can't compete with the Tories on donations, instead we win elections because we have thousands of volunteers going out speaking to voters. If you can spare any time on Thursday (tomorrow!) to help get a Labour MP elected in Ilford North, one of London's 12 marginal seats, you'll be helping us win the election. 

 If you can help please either: Let Ilford North know what time you can make it via their website - they'll be in touch to let you know where they need your help Make your own way to West Ham's campaign base in Ilford North - 6 Aintree Crescent, IG6 2HD anytime between 10am and 9pm (nearest station is Fairlop on the Central Line) 

 Meet fellow West Ham members at either 4pm or 6pm outside Stratford station (near the sign) to travel together to Ilford North For more info text or call Julianne or John (or email westhamlabour@gmail.com). 

And if you're away from East London tomorrow scroll right down to the bottom to see the other 11 London seats that need your help. Have a great day. And don't forget to vote... 

Best wishes Charlene 
Charlene McLean Chair of West Ham Labour Party

Wednesday 6th May - last day of the campaign Canvassing and telephone canvassing 6.30pm - 8.30pm Meeting at 306 High Street Stratford (opposite Stratford High Street DLR). Led by Alan.

lford North Canvassing 5.30pm/6pm - meet outside Stratford station at 5.30 or Ilford North Campaign Office, 153b Beehive Lane, IG4 5DX nearest tube Gants Hill at 6pm.
Julianne

London marginals 

Battersea, Sean Lawless, 020 7223 5306, 177 Lavender Hill, Battersea, SW11 5TE Bermondsey and

Old Southwark, Martin Tiedeman, 020 7394 6037, 46 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 4TR

Brent Central, James May, 020 8451 6560, 156 High Road, Willesden, NW10 2PB

Brentford and Isleworth, James Swindlehurst, 020 8581 3646, 367 Chiswick High Road, W4 4AG 

Croydon Central, James Goldstone, 020 8760 0109, 131B Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, CR0 6BE 

Ealing Central and Acton, Seph Brown, 020 8992 5614, Ruskin Hall, 16 Church Road, W3 8PP 

Enfield North, Aimy Saunders, 020 8367 3396, Celbic Hall, 77 Lancaster Road, Enfield EN2 0DW 

Finchley and Golders Green, Becca Lyon, 020 8883 0411, 38 Church Lane, East Finchley, London, N2 8DT

Harrow East, Luke Francis, 020 8427 2100, 18 Byron Rd, Wealdstone, Harrow HA3 7ST

Hendon, Jacob Lister, 020 8202 2145, 79 The Burroughs, Hendon NW4 4AX

Hornsey and Wood Green, Joanna Christophides, 020 8340 7362, 28 Middle Lane, London, N8 8PL

Five years of pain, very little gain - Vote Labour to avoid more of the same

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis "tells it as it is".

After five years of pain there has been very little gain. If the Tories are re-elected on Thursday, there will be more years of painful cuts, hitting the the poorest areas the most.

If you are a member of UNISON, I would suggest that you trust your union and trust your General Secretary

So Vote Labour. 

Bank Holiday Green Street, Harlow, Stratford & Ilford North

Both West and East Ham Labour met up today at Green Street in a sea of red for a final stall with our Parliamentary candidates, Lyn Brown & Stephen Timms.

Life time Labour supporter, 92 year old Second World War hero, Ron Higgins, who survived 32 missions as a gunner on Lancaster Bombers (the average lifespan for aircrew was only 20 missions) came with his family to show support. Ron in his youth also played for West Ham and Leyton Orient FC and later was a trade union convenor in the docks.  We worked out he first voted in a General election in 1945. He remembers Will Thorne, the founder of the GMB and local MP until 1945.

Stratford & New Town Candidate, Charlene Mclean (& beautiful baby) was also there to leaflet and talk to residents.

Newham Women's Forum were out supporting Suzy Stride in marginal Harlow and after the stall finished activists went out to door knock in Stratford and Ilford North.

Will the NHS be there for you and your family after five more years of Tory government?

Nope, so Vote Labour

UNISON Greater London Community Service Group 2015 AGM and Seminar: Sadiq Khan MP speaker

This is the flyer for the AGM and seminar for Greater London UNISON members who belong to the Community Service Group (Housing Associations & Voluntary sector). It will take place at the UNISON National headquarters in Euston on Saturday 16 May 10.30am to 1:00pm.

Branches and self organised groups can send delegates (All nomination and registration forms must be returned to Colin Inniss - Secretary to the Community Service Group at the Regional Office by 12 Noon Friday 8th May 2015)

Guest Seminar speakers will include UNISON member Sadiq Khan MP; and BECTU Organisers, fresh from their successful campaign for a London Living Wage for all workers at the Brixton Ritzy cinema.

"Cutting the boroughs that can't afford to be cut" Care for it? Vote for it

Chair of UNISON Housing Associations Branch and Service Group Executive member, Tony Power, tells it as it is.