Jon Cruddas in this week’s Voice Newspaper

Just before Christmas, I posted a story about the Voice Newspaper and why I believe that the leadership of the Labour party should do more to cultivate the UK’s ethnic media in the same way they cultivate the mainstream tabloids and broadsheets – particularly when you consider that four out of five BME citizens will vote Labour if they actually go out and vote.

On top of this, I have also recently been informed that one-fifth of all Labour party members are estimated to be of Black or Minority Ethnic Origin. This is a staggering figure considering that BME communities only make up eight per cent of the UK population.

With this in mind, I was therefore absolutely delighted to open this week’s Voice newspaper (which came out this morning) and see this fantastic interview with Jon Cruddas MP, who is running for Deputy Leader of the Labour party.

The interview confirms to me why I chose to back Jon Cruddas and why I will continue to back him. Here is someone who actually wants to reach out to Labour’s traditional supporters and win back their trust.

Jon Cruddas is the first and only Deputy Leadership candidate to have done an interview in the Voice.

As a Black councillor, I have been even more reassured by this interview that Jon will be a powerful voice for BME members if he becomes the Deputy Leader of our party.

Debating Councillor Allowances on ‘Today’

In the Today Programme Studio with Sarah Montague & Edward Stourton

I popped up to the BBC Television and Radio studios in White City on Tuesday morning, to take part in a studio debate on Radio 4’s flagship political programme ‘Today’ with presenters Sarah Montague (pictured above left) and Edward Stourton (pictured above right).

The independent local government Think Tank, the New Local Government Network (NLGN), has published a new pamphlet entitled ‘Local Government: Young at Heart?‘, which calls for councillors – particularly young councillors – to receive better pay and conditions. The NLGN asked me to go on the programme to talk about what my role as a councillor involves Continue reading “Debating Councillor Allowances on ‘Today’”

Thank You for a Brilliant Year

With James Fitpatrick, the best agent in the world

2006 has been a really significant year for me and for Waltham Forest Labour. In May, you elected me your local councillor for Leyton – a position not held by Labour for over 12 years. I still can’t quite believe that I’ve been elected for almost eight months now, representing the ward I was born in, that I love and that I still live in.

It is a great honour to serve Leyton residents in the town hall – but more importantly, in the ward. I am really looking forward to continuing to work as your Leyton ward councillor in 2007, for the next three and a bit years, and beyond Continue reading “Thank You for a Brilliant Year”

The Queen’s speech – delivery for young London?

On Monday (27th November), I will be speaking at a Westminster debate organised by London Young Labour, entitled ‘The Queen’s speech – delivery for young London?’ I plan to talk about whether I think the Queen’s speech has benefited my young residents in Leyton ward.

The other panellists speaking at the event will be Nigel Griffiths MP, Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs, and Gemma Tumelty, President of the National Union of Students.

Click here to download a flyer with all the details.

Hope to see you there!

GMB Young Members Conference 2006

At the GMB young members conference 2006

Last weekend I spent a fantastic Saturday and Sunday taking part in the GMB’s first young members’ conference for many years.

Young GMB members from all over the country joined the GMB’s General Secretary Paul Kenny and Deputy General Secretary Debbie Coulter to debate new ideas for encouraging younger people to join the GMB and trade unions in general. Continue reading “GMB Young Members Conference 2006”