John's Labour blog

Labour Unions - Join us to campaign for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Thu, 21 May 2026 06:23:00 +0000

Join us to campaign for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election.

Help Labour win.

Working people are crying out for change. That’s why policies like the New Deal for Working People are so important.

Andy Burnham is standing because he believes that communities like Makerfield deserve better.

But make no mistake, this by-election will be a straight fight between Labour and Reform, and every vote will count. With Reform throwing everything at Makerfield, we need trade union activists out in force, making calls, knocking on doors and delivering leaflets, making the positive case for change and pushing back on their politics of division.

Hear from leading voices across the movement and join the campaign on Sunday 31 May. Full details coming soon. Sign up ↓

Makerfield Trade Union Campaign Day - Sunday 31 May, 1pm

https://labourunions.org.uk/makerfield-campaign-day/

(I am hoping to be there to help out)

🚲 A Sunday Morning in West Ham: Community, Conversation and a Rossi with the Mayor

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Tue, 19 May 2026 21:38:27 +0000

Sunday started early with a cycle over to my ward and a hearty breakfast at the Plaistow Café — the kind of place where the tea is strong, the portions generous, and the conversations even better.

From there I joined local residents for a site visit at a long‑derelict plot in West Ham where they hope to build a much‑needed community centre. I made clear that I’ll be a critical friend to the project: supportive, experienced, and honest about what specialist advice and guidance they’ll need to turn a great idea into a real, sustainable asset for local people. My ward colleague Cllr Adjoa Kwarteng could not attend but will be organising another site visit.

Next stop was West Ham Park, where I met our newly elected Executive Mayor, Forhad Hussain. We treated ourselves to a Rossi ice cream and took a walk around the park. It felt a bit like accompanying a film star — every few steps someone stopped to congratulate him, shake his hand, or ask for a selfie. The warmth and pride from residents was unmistakable.

A good Sunday: community at its best, people with ambition for their neighbourhood, and a Mayor who clearly connects with those he serves.

🚶‍♂️ A Return to North Weald: Forgotten Paths, Hidden Forts and a 450‑Year‑Old Pub

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Sun, 17 May 2026 21:49:15 +0000

After finishing my Councillor surgery yesterday, Gill and I drove out to North Weald for a 4.7‑mile circular walk — a route we first did in 1998, again in 2011, and then somehow managed to forget entirely. It begins near the historic North Weald Railway Station and winds through quiet, open countryside that feels far more remote than its distance from London would suggest.

One stretch follows the line of a long‑lost Roman road. As we walked, we spotted deer pretending to be statutes, red kites circling overhead, and one particularly assertive hare who sat bolt upright within 50 metres of us, fully aware of our presence but entirely unimpressed by it. He held his ground until we passed, as if he owned the area.

What truly astonished me, though, was stumbling across the site of the "North Weald Redoubt" — one of 13 late‑19th‑century forts built around 1896 to defend London from invasion. Despite my strong interest in local history, I am slightly ashamed to admit that I had no idea these forts existed. The main site is shut off as "dangerous" for whatever reason but it is a reminder of a period when Britain feared attack from continental Europe long before the world wars reshaped those anxieties. (Reference: https://www.visiteppingforest.org/things-to-do/north-weald-redoubt-p1833191 )

Nearby fields were also dotted with dozens of seemingly random concrete blocks. I have never seen anything like it? At first I assumed they were part of the Victorian defensive system or perhaps connected to the nearby "Battle of Britain" airfield. But it appears they may have been anchoring points for very early post first world war Marconi telecommunications masts — though information is sparse and the truth remains a little unclear. A small mystery for another day.

We ended the walk in the rear garden of The Kings Head, one of the oldest pubs in Essex. Parts of the building date back nearly 450 years. The main structure — a beautiful half‑timbered building — was constructed in the 17th century using old ships’ timbers. Sitting there with a drink in the late afternoon sun felt like the perfect way to finish a walk steeped in layers of history.

A forgotten route rediscovered, and a reminder that even in places we think we know, there is always more to learn.

🟣 West Ham Ward Labour & Co‑op Councillors - Our First Advice Surgery of the New Term

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Sat, 16 May 2026 17:52:42 +0000

This morning Adjoa Kwarteng and I held our first free, confidential advice surgery of the new term as your West Ham Ward Labour & Cooperative Councillors.

We’re pleased to confirm that our weekly face‑to‑face surgeries will now take place at:

 Vicarage Lane Community Centre
Govier Road, E15 4HW

The centre has been newly refurbished and will soon be available for private bookings — a great asset for our community.

 Weekly Drop‑In Surgeries
Every Saturday, 10–11am  
(No appointment needed. Closed on Bank Holiday weekends.)

Either Adjoa or I will always be there to help with council issues, casework, or local concerns.

We’ll also be publishing dates for virtual and telephone surgeries shortly, to make sure everyone can reach us in the way that suits them best.

 Contact Us Anytime
John Gray  
 John.Gray@newham.gov.uk
 020 3373 2615

Adjoa Kwarteng  
 Adjoa.Kwarteng@newham.gov.uk
 020 3373 1539

 Ward Newsletter
We’ll be sending out a regular West Ham Ward newsletter.
If you’d like to receive it, just email us with your name and address. If you want to add your mobile number that would also be great. 

We promise not to spam you — only useful local updates.

Newham Cabinet Announcement - Proud to be called to serve

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Thu, 14 May 2026 22:30:30 +0000

Yesterday evening, I was honoured to be appointed by newly elected Executive Mayor, Forhad Hussain, as his Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing. I’m grateful to Forhad for his trust and confidence, and I’m excited to work alongside him, his Cabinet, and all Councillor colleagues to do our very best for the residents of Newham.

Check out Newham Council Press release for further details https://www.newham.gov.uk/news/article/1551/mayor-hussain-unveils-his-first-cabinet

"Mayor Forhad Hussain has appointed a new cabinet focused on better services, affordable homes and giving residents a stronger voice, with four councillors leading key portfolios across Newham.

Mayor of Newham Forhad Hussain has named his first cabinet focused on delivering better services, more affordable homes and with a pledge to give residents more say on major issues.

Mayor Hussain was elected last week to lead the borough for the next four years and will be supported by a four-person cabinet.

The first cabinet members are:

Cllr John Gray - Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing

Cllr Lakmini Shah - Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Communities

Cllr Susan Masters - Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment

Cllr Zulfiqar Ali - Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources

Mayor Hussain whilst responsible for overall political leadership, will be responsible for community safety and regeneration as part of the first cabinet. Mayor Hussain previously served as a Labour councillor in Plaistow North from 2010-2018 where he also held senior roles as Cabinet Member for Commercial Opportunities and then as Cabinet Member for Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour.

Mayor Forhad Hussain said: “This is a new chapter for Newham, and I’m proud to be appointing a cabinet rooted in our borough and committed to delivering for local people.

“We were elected on a clear promise to put residents first - to build a council that listens, gets the basics right and delivers real change people can see in their neighbourhoods.

“This team has the experience and local knowledge to help us make Newham cleaner, safer and fairer, strengthen our communities, and rebuild trust by showing we can deliver.”

Full details of each portfolio will be announced at the first Annual Meeting of the new administration on Wednesday May 20".

🌿 A Spring Walk from Studham: Quiet Paths, Red Kites and Friendly Faces

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Sun, 10 May 2026 22:02:00 +0000

After a morning of political meetings, Gill and I finally managed our first proper country walk together in a while. We drove up to Studham — a beautiful, quietly tucked‑away village in Bedfordshire — with the route taken from the More Great Walks in the Chilterns guide by the Chiltern Society.

Google Maps did its best to sabotage us by directing us to the wrong starting point, which caused more confusion than either of us needed. A lesson learned: always enter the full address when heading somewhere rural.

Once we were on the right path, the walk was wonderfully peaceful. The only real noise came from aircraft lining up to land at Luton Airport. This was only for a short section of the walk. The hedgerows and trees were still full of lovely spring blossom, and we were treated to plenty of Red Kites circling overhead. At one point we spotted a really tiny muntjac deer before it ran off.

A stretch of the route runs alongside Whipsnade Zoo. We couldn’t quite identify the animals in the distance, I must get some proper binoculars.

We stopped at St Mary Magdalene Church, where a group of very friendly parishioners were preparing for a service. They were more than happy to share the history of the church with us — one of those small, unexpected encounters that make a walk memorable.

We finished, as all good walks should, with a well‑earned drink at the Red Lion.

A simple day out, but a lovely one. Political conversations continued in the evening.

Statement on the local elections - Stratford & Bow by our MP

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Sun, 10 May 2026 22:00:00 +0000

✊ 48 Hours of Madness: Election Day, The Count, and a Bittersweet Victory in West Ham

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Sat, 09 May 2026 21:56:00 +0000

After weeks and months of meetings, training sessions, leaflet‑folding, and relentless campaigning, the last 48 hours have felt like a lifetime. Election Day on Thursday 7 May, followed by The Count on Friday, pushed all of us to the limit — physically, mentally, emotionally. It became less a campaign and more a temporary way of life.

🌅 Election Day: From Dawn at Stratford Manor to the Last Knock at 9.45pm

I started early outside Stratford Manor polling station in West Ham ward, while my Labour colleagues Adjoa Kwarteng and Sam Mannion covered the others. Apart from one unpleasant encounter with an aggressive, foul‑mouthed Reform supporter, the morning went smoothly.

From there we headed to the campaign office to collect E-Day leaflets and the codes for our smartphones — the lifeline that tells us which Labour voters need a reminder to get to the polls.

Then began the long, punishing slog: street after street, block after block, knocking doors, speaking to residents, leaving leaflets where no one answered. We were kept going by brilliant support from local members including Varghese and Parvin, and the ever‑reliable retiring councillor John Whitworth.

We kept going until 9.45pm, then visited polling stations to check for issues and get a sense of turnout. After a quick drink at the Black Lion, it was home — briefly — before the next ordeal.

🗳️ The Count at ExCeL: A Marathon of Verification, Kangaroos, and Nerves

By 8am on Friday, those of us acting as counting agents for the Mayoral contest were at ExCeL for the briefing. The count began at 9am, and from observing the verification across three wards, it was clear that Labour’s Forhad Hussain was heading for victory. Still, nothing could be taken for granted, and counting agents from all parties had to stay laser‑focused.

Eventually, it was confirmed: Forhad Hussain had won by over 5,000 votes. The Independents came second, the Greens third — despite their confident claims that “only they can win”.

Then came the councillor counts, and this was a different kind of torture. West Ham ward showed strong Labour block votes, but there were hundreds of mixed ballots, where voters split their three votes across parties. Newham’s infamous “Kangaroo” system was used to allocate these — a slow, meticulous, mind‑bending process.

No one had any clear idea who was ahead.

⏳ The Long Wait — and a Bitter‑Sweet Result

As we waited, national and London‑wide news filtered in. Labour was having a very bad day. We lost wards and seats. Good comrades were defeated. But we also held ground in key areas.

Finally, at around 8.30pm, the West Ham declaration was called. Candidates and agents were told privately before the public announcement.

It was close.

I was elected. Adjoa was elected. But Sam — a hardworking, experienced campaigner — narrowly missed out, with a Green taking the third seat.

It was a bittersweet moment. Sam took it with grace and professionalism, but politics can be a cruel business. I have no doubt he will return and win a future contest.

🟥 Where We Stand Now

Despite the losses, Labour:

Won the Executive Mayor contest decisively
Remains the largest single party on Newham Council
Outperformed the London anti‑Labour trend in both Newham and neighbouring Redbridge, according to early analysis

It will be tough. It will be messy. But with Forhad as Mayor and a committed Labour group, we can still deliver our ambitious manifesto for Newham.

With a fair wind, next time we’ll wipe the floor with our opponents.

I’ll share the full results once they’re officially published.

HEADING FOR WORK - VOTE LABOUR on the way!

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Thu, 07 May 2026 06:36:00 +0000

Polling stations open 7am to 10pm. Remember to bring photo ID

Last campaigning days for West Ham - Final message is VOTE LABOUR - everywhere

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Wed, 06 May 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Over the past two days, West Ham Labour candidates (including Sam, who unfortunately missed the photos) and our supporters have been out knocking on doors and chatting with residents to remind them about tomorrow’s election (Thursday 7 May).

Our Mayoral Candidate, Forhad Hussain, joined us yesterday evening for a round of door knocking. The response was really positive.

We handed out leaflets at local schools highlighting how Labour is supporting children in Newham, and today we delivered more than 1,500 leaflets across our ward.

This evening, while door knocking in a block, I spotted a fox and her three adorable cubs playing in the garden of a closed pub (center pic).

Looking forward to tomorrow’s election and Friday’s results—whatever happens, I’m so thankful for all the support we’ve had, and believe that if we win, we have a fantastic West Ham team and Labour Mayor ready to bring people together and get things done that truly matter to residents.

On Thursday, don't forget what Reform would have done. Vote Labour.

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Tue, 05 May 2026 21:37:00 +0000

Bank holiday "On the Knocker" for Labour in West Ham

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Mon, 04 May 2026 21:55:00 +0000

Today and Sunday have been another couple of “full on” campaigning days for Labour candidates and activist supporters across Newham. In West Ham, we’ve had three sessions each day, including attending community events and services.

Huge thanks to our West Ham and Beckton MP, James Asser, for joining us today, and to the well-respected West Ham ward Councillor (and my good friend and mentor) John Whitworth, who is retiring this year after 12 years of service.

The weather has been mostly great – warm with plenty of blue skies, just the odd spot of rain that quickly cleared. It was lovely meeting many West Ham residents who have already voted Labour by post and catching up on casework they’d previously raised with us.

Residents particularly value that Labour is the only party offering local, confidential, free advice surgeries every Saturday morning in the ward from 10am–11am (excluding Bank Holidays). None of the other candidates have ever done anything remotely similar for the ward, either before or during the campaign.

The campaign carries on tomorrow, Wednesday, and of course Thursday. The count is on Friday when results will be announced – first the Mayoral vote, then the Councillors. In West Ham, we’re feeling positive but will approach the campaign, as all candidates should, as though it could be won or lost by a single vote.

(I need to ask the Newham History Group about the wall plaque in the bottom left that intrigued James and me. It appears to be some sort of boundary mark but connect with Rotherhithe in Surrey)

Labour Unions answers the Question: "What has a Labour Government ever done for us?"

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Sun, 03 May 2026 20:37:00 +0000

Our rights weren’t handed down - they were fought for. And they’re only secured when we organise

Statutory Sick Pay from day one. Repeal of the Trade Union Act. Paternity & parental leave from day one. Removing picketing restrictions. Bereavement leave for fathers & partners. New protections for whistle-blowers. Stronger action on fire and rehire. A new Fair Work Agency to enforce your rights. Simpler union recognition rights. Making it easier for workers to get unionised.

 Longer strike ballot mandates.
 Simpler industrial action rules.
 Protection from dismissal for striking workers.
 Restoring opt-in union political funds.
Simplifying industrial action and industrial action ballot notices. 
Ending the 10-year ballot rule for union political funds.

This is why the Labour-union link is so important.

The #NewDeal for Working people is a partnership between  trade unions and the Labour Party.

Passing the Employment Rights Act was only the beginning. We need to ensure that new rights are delivered in practice and properly enforced.

We’ll keep pushing the government until the #NewDeal for Working People has been delivered in full

https://x.com/labourunionsuk

Full on West Ham canvass day (more to follow)

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Sat, 02 May 2026 21:22:00 +0000

It was a busy day campaigning for Labour in West Ham, starting with an early breakfast at the Plaistow Cafe to plan before heading out to different parts of the ward.

At lunch, I stopped by our headquarters in the Trinity Centre to pick up more leaflets and garden stakes.

The afternoon was spent knocking on doors, having great conversations with local residents—some challenging but all constructive—while our amazing volunteers delivered leaflets across the ward.

In the early evening, we ran another leaflet delivery session, attended important stakeholder meetings, and dropped off garden stakes and window posters to members.

Tomorrow and Monday, we’ll be running sessions from 11-1pm, 2-4pm, and 5-7pm—get in touch via our Facebook page if you can help. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585277087343

Renters Rights Act is now law - the "biggest upgrade to renter's protection in more than a generation"

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Fri, 01 May 2026 21:08:00 +0000

Great news that Labour has delivered for 11 million private renters in England. My dad, who has sadly passed away, would have been so proud. Back in the 1950s, he helped form a private renters’ tenants association in Buckley, North Wales, to stand against Tory attacks on their rights. He was already active in the trade union movement, worked as an electrician in what is now Airbus, later became a local Labour councillor, and remained a lifelong supporter of the Party.

Alongside the Employment Rights Act—another once-in-a-generation, 50-year boost to workers’ rights—Labour has delivered fair funding for councils to prevent bankruptcies, scrapped the two-child benefit cap, massively increased affordable housing, and brought the railways back into public ownership, showing real commitment to working-class people.

Of course, we want more, and there have been mistakes, but they’ve largely owned up to them and worked to fix issues like restoring fuel grants for low-income pensioners and recognising the state of Palestine.

If you want more of this—vote Labour.

Update:

Newham Green candidate accused of Criminal Offence & Election Fraud by giving ‘false address’ ....

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:10:00 +0000

"30th April 2026

Home address information published by the council for a range of those seeking election in the east London borough is regarded by others as breaching regulations

Dave Hill https://www.onlondon.co.uk/newham-2026-green-candidate-accused-of-giving-false-address-amid-confusion-over-borough-elections-rules/

A Labour councillor seeking re-election to his local ward in Newham has reported a Green Party challenger to the police, claiming there has been “a potential case of election fraud” due to the Green candidate providing the council with incorrect information about where he lives.

In an email to the Met’s designated officer dealing with electoral law, Steve Brayshaw, who is defending his seat in Royal Victoria ward for Labour, claims that the Greens’ Rob Callender “submitted a false address in his nomination papers”.

Brayshaw points out to the Met officer that although Callender’s nomination statement – which is published on the council’s website (reproduced below) and has already appeared on ballot papers to postal vote applicants – lists him as residing at an “address in Royal Victoria”, the electoral register shows that he lives in a block of flats in North Woolwich within the neighbouring Royal Albert ward.

Brayshaw informs the Met officer that he regards the situation as “a criminal matter” relating to the Section 65A of the Representation of the People Act.

Providing a false statement on a nomination paper in England or Wales can result in an election win being invalidated, an unlimited fine, up to one year in prison or both.

Callender, who was the Greens’ candidate for Mayor of Newham in 2022 and fought the local West Ham & Beckton parliamentary seat for his party in the 2024 general election, has previously described himself as living in North Woolwich. A campaign video for his Royal Victoria campaign this year, uploaded to Instagram on 16 April (pictured above), states only that he lives “in the Royal Docks” area rather than specifying the Royal Victoria ward.

He also contested Royal Victoria ward in 2022 alongside running for Mayor. In that year his nomination statement home address information was “address in Newham”.

Speaking to On London, Brayshaw called on Callender to “immediately publicly acknowledge that he has provided voters in Royal Victoria with misleading information, correct the record with Newham Council and stand down”. He reiterated his view that “the police need to take action”.

The London Green Party has been approached for comment. Meanwhile, another Newham Green candidate, Rajeev Kumar, debating Brayshaw on a private Royal Victoria Docks Facebook page, has acknowledged that Callender lives in Royal Albert ward but added: “As I know for a fact, this is a simple mistake made when someone else finalised the form. It happened due to that person’s confusion.”

Brayshaw’s initiative over Callender is taking place amid confusion and dispute about Newham Council’s stewardship of the candidate nomination process and the rules governing information to be provided in the “home address” section of the papers candidates must submit.

Local elections rules for England and Wales state that if a local government candidate prefers his or her full home address to not be published they may instead make known the name of the “relevant area” in which they live, and that for London council elections the “relevant area” is the the borough in which the candidate resides. No other type of area is mentioned as being acceptable.

The same definition of a “relevant area” is used in the homes address guidance for candidates published on the website of the Electoral Commission, the independent agency whose duties include setting standards for how elections are run (below).

In Newham’s case, therefore, the “relevant area” for council candidates would normally be Newham itself and the words “address in Newham” appear on the “homes address” column of the vast majority of nomination statements for the borough’s 24 electoral wards, all of which are on the council’s website (under Statutory Notices).

However, On London has found 16 examples spread across eight wards where neither a candidate’s full home address nor “address in Newham” – or, legitimately, another London borough, where relevant – is listed in the “home address” box.

As well as Callender, these include Shabd Pyari, his Green Party running mate in Royal Victoria. Like Callender, Pyari’s nomination statement specifies “address in Royal Victoria” in the home address section, although On London understands that, unlike Callender, the electoral register lists her as residing in the ward of that name. Every other Green candidate for a Newham Council seat has given their home address as Newham.

Nine of the 16 deviations from the borough name rule are by standalone Independent candidates, raising the possibility that they didn’t know about the “relevant area” rule when filling in their nomination papers. Three are by the small Christian People’s Alliance party, one is by a candidate running under the banner of “Communities United” and one, in Boleyn ward, is by the local Newham Independents’ Party, which is posing a major challenge to Labour’s dominance in much of the borough this year.

In 2023, the Newham Independents Party gained one of Boleyn’s three seats from Labour in a by-election and will hope to win all three on 7 May. The other two Newham Independents Party candidates for Boleyn have “address in Newham” in their nomination statements.

In most of the 16 cases, the home address entry is the name of the ward the candidate is contesting, though three of the standalone Independents have provided the names of other Newham wards and two of them have said they live in areas of London whose names are not those of wards – respectively, “Plaistow”, a suburban part of Newham, and “Ilford”, which is a town in the neighbouring borough of Redbridge.

Brayshaw has represented Royal Victoria ward for Labour since its creation in 2022, its predecessor ward, Royal Docks, since 2009, and has lived in the Royal Victoria ward area throughout that entire period. He argues that Callender and Pyari presenting themselves as residents of Royal Victoria ward gives them an advantage they shouldn’t have, because candidates thought to be unequivocally local can be favoured by some voters over others whose home address information is less specific about where they live.

As well as running for Mayor, Callender contested Royal Victoria ward in 2022, finishing third in the two-seat ward behind Brayshaw and another Labour candidate. The recent increase in the popularity of the Greens means that this year the ward is being seen as a marginal the Greens have a chance of winning.

Two candidates running as Independents in the Labour-held three-seat East Ham South ward, Suhel Rob and Kamal Hussain, whose published home address information is the name of the ward, have jointly posted on TikTok: “Why would you vote [for] a candidate that may not be from your local area. Larger parties send candidates to different areas all the time, so it’s possible they don’t understand East Ham South as much as we do.” Every other candidate for the ward has given their home address as Newham, in line with the rules.

A number of other Labour candidates in Newham are unhappy that opponents’ address details other than their full addresses or the alternative borough address have been accepted by the council and will appear on ballot papers for 7 May. They include Rohit Dasgupta, an incumbent candidate for Canning Town South who lives in the ward and said he believes “the rules are clear: candidates should only publish the local authority area, not a specific ward. How has this been allowed to happen, and what checks or questions were raised during the nomination process?”

However, when approached by On London for comment about the Newham situation, the Electoral Commission said that Returning Officers, the local government officers who administer elections, “must accept nominations at face value” – wording that suggests Returning Officers are not required or able to correct or block home address information that doesn’t adhere to the rules or is demonstrably untrue.

Newham Council responded in a similar way when asked about its stewardship of this year’s elections. A spokesman said: “Nomination papers are accepted on face value, and an incorrect ‘relevant area’ does not invalidate a nomination paper under law.”

Brayshaw told On London that taking this approach “opens the system to confusion and abuse before a vote is cast. Candidates who follow the rules can get penalised by others taking advantage of the fact that no one will stop them from putting literally anywhere as their home address if they think it will help them get more votes. That cannot be fair, and challenging the outcome later is not easy.”

The Electoral Commission told On London, “Returning Officers are responsible for the conduct of the election for their electoral area, ensuring that it is administered effectively and in accordance with the law” and that “This includes administering the nominations process.”

But it added, “Candidates are responsible for ensuring they are eligible to stand and their nomination papers are submitted correctly” and it pointed out that “once a nomination has been accepted by the RO [Returning Officer], it cannot be challenged during the election, though it may be challenged after the election through an election petition”.

International Workers Memorial Day 2026: UNISON Housing workers "Remember the Dead & Fight for the Living"

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Today, the Greater London UNISON Housing Association branch marked International Workers Memorial Day at the “clasping hands” statue in 3 Mills Green, Stratford, for what I believe is the 17th year. This day honours workers in the UK and around the world who have lost their lives or been injured at work due to accidents or industrial diseases.

At this very site, four workers tragically died in a wholly avoidable incident caused by carbon monoxide poisoning in an underground shaft. Three of them lost their lives while heroically trying to rescue others, succumbing to the gas themselves.

Thanks go to local Newham MP James Asser for attending and speaking on the importance of workplace safety, and to Clarion Housing Group Health and Safety Advisors who laid a wreath. UNISON National Officer Andrew Dobbie, who researched the tragedy, gave a talk at the actual shaft where these workers died.

GMB rep Simon Rush read a message from Newham Labour Mayoral Candidate. Forhad Hussain, an engineer working on a major construction project, reflecting on lessons still relevant today from these preventable deaths. GMB member Heather Lafferty also made a moving personal contribution.

It was also so good to hear from Labour Movement stalwart and retired Unite, UCU member, John Saunders, who delivered a passionate speech about the countless workers who have needlessly died over the years, here and across the globe. Many thanks as well to local Stratford Cllr Sabia Kamali for her support.

It was a proud Labour Movement Day.

Keir Hardie Society Bulletin April 2026 - Vote for Keir

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 21:29:00 +0000

Check out the latest Keir Hardie Society Bulletin here https://www.keirhardiesociety.org/.

Keir, was of course, the first ever Labour MP elected for West Ham South in 1892. In Stratford Town hall there is a bust of him in the foyer.

There are even "vote for Keir" tea towels, for sale, as well as an article on his resignation as Labour leader "I am an Agitator" in 1908 https://www.keirhardiesociety.org/blog/i-am-an-agitator; Tony Benn the first President of the society and the Auchengeich mining disaster.

Busy Labour Weekend in West Ham & Playing Away in Royal Victoria

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:26:00 +0000

It was a busy weekend. Friday started very early, getting into hard-to-access blocks to leaflet postal voters using trade access buttons.

Saturday morning was my Councillor surgery at the newly refurbished Vicarage Lane Community Centre, which will be a fantastic asset once fully reopened.

A resident came to discuss parking and park maintenance issues, accompanied by her young daughter, who attends the same primary school as my neighbour’s daughter.

Later, I went canvassing with Adjoa and Parvin in West Ham (Sam couldn’t join us this time) and treated myself to a relatively healthy lunch at the Plaistow Cafe.

In the afternoon, I joined Steve and Caroline, a fellow housing worker, in Royal Victoria with local MP James Asser, and the response was very positive. Steve and Caroline are recognised as active and hard working local representatives.

On Sunday, I was back in West Ham with Adjoa, our retiring Councillor, John Whitworth, and local activists. I picked up casework and had encouraging conversations, but it’s clear we need to get our message out better—many residents had no idea about the Labour Government saved Newham from Tory-induced bankruptcy, the massive affordable housebuilding programme being funded, the 10,000 children lifted out of poverty by ending the two-child benefit cap, or the most radical increase in employment and renters’ rights in 60 years. The campaign continues tomorrow.

"Statement on the false claims by Areeq Chowdhury"

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 22:01:00 +0000

While I accept that politics can be a pretty brutal contest by all sides at times, the sheer deceitfulness and hypocrisy, of the Green Party is just breath-taking. They claim to be "honest" but repeat blatant personal lies about a political opponent. Shame on them. They are indeed not to be trusted.

L&Q Housing Association UNISON notice board

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:35:00 +0000

We were at the L&Q headquarters in Stratford, Newham, London last week in the evening for our branch Executive committee and I cannot resist posting this picture. Sad but true, I do love a good UNISON real life notice board. Well done to Tony (our branch chair) and local reps!

I do have some serious issues with L&Q housing management with another hat on. Watch this space.

"On the Knocker" reminding West Hammers about their Postal Vote

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:59:00 +0000

A busy period and all candidates have got lots of steps in this phase of the election. My postal vote for the May 7 Election arrived at home today. Residents live busy lives and are often pleased to have a gentle reminder to exercise their democratic right to vote from the comfort of their home.

Many thanks to our ace local canvasser Varghese for all his support. I will be highlighting supporters to acknowledge their huge contributions.

Retirement celebration with UNISON LAS Paramedic Pete Hannell

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:53:00 +0000

On Friday evening, I met up with Pete, who is retiring from the London Ambulance Service (LAS) as a paramedic after more than 30 years of service. Pete is, of course, well-known in UNISON for being very shy, even bashful, and it’s always a challenge to get him to say much.

He was an active UNISON LAS rep and Labour Link Officer and will always be a hammer for workers’ rights. He’s also a Labour councillor, having won a safe Conservative seat on his local Herts Council.

We started at the UNISON Centre in Camden, then went on a mini tour of local and East End pubs before finishing with a meal at the Lahore Kebab House.

Best wishes to Pete and his wife for his well deserved retirement and all their upcoming travel adventures.

Pride in West Ham with Angela Rayner

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:12:00 +0000

A lovely picture of Adjoa and me with Labour MP Angela Rayner in Newham, just outside West Ham Ward.

I first met Angela many years ago at our UNISON conference when she was a young member but already a leading UNISON trade union rep and activist.

I’m looking forward to hearing her address the UNISON National Delegate Conference this year on the Labour Employment Rights Act, which is the greatest advance in workers’ rights in this country for 60 years, and one she has undoubtedly been one of the strongest supporters of.

West Ham candidates visit to Khidmah Academy Mosque

noreply@blogger.com (John Gray) — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:59:00 +0000

Last Thursday evening, I felt proud and honoured to join my fellow Labour West Ham candidates, Sam and Adjoa, in visiting the Khidmah Academy Mosque on Vicarage Lane.

Although it’s about 50 metres outside the official West Ham ward boundaries, many of our residents and their families use the centre, but we also checked in with our Forest Gate South colleagues beforehand.

We were welcomed to observe prayers, after which each of us was invited to speak for a minute and introduce ourselves.

It was inspiring to witness first-hand the deep spiritual side of Islam, something too rarely shown in mainstream UK media.

Afterwards, we enjoyed conversations with Mosque members and trustees.

We’re open and eager to visit all other faith groups in and around our ward.

A special thanks to Pervez Qureshi, Labour Candidate in Plaistow North (third from right), for helping arrange the visit.