Archive for June, 2007
Diane Abbott, Member of Parliament for Hackney North, celebrated her twentieth year in Parliament on Monday.
I was absolutely delighted to attend her reception, at the House of Commons, which was hosted by Gender Equality campaign organisation the Fawcett Society.
The event was very emotional for the majority of Black women (and men) in the room. Whatever differences people may have had with Diane over the years, EVERYONE was so proud of her and what she has achieved.
In her speech, Diane informed us of the three factors she believes led to her becoming a Member of Parliament.
The first were her Jamaican ancestral roots. Clarendon, the village in Jamaica from which Diane’s family originates, is known to have produced some seriously strong women over the generations.
Located high up in the rural Jamaican mountains, people from Clarendon survived only on what they grew with their own bare hands – no KFC, Pizza Expresses or Tescos in those parts!
Diane attributed Clarendon to giving her the steely strength of purpose that has kept her going as an MP over the last twenty years.
Diane then went on to talk about the second major turning point in her life – her father’s decision not to send her back to Jamaica, to complete her schooling, when she was around eleven years old.
It was quite common for this generation of Caribbean parents to send their kids ‘home’ for a few years to get educated, with the kids then returning to England when they were young adults. Indeed, many of my own older cousins were sent back to Dominica…
Diane believes that her father’s decision that she should stay in England had a major effect on her life. She said she thinks she would never have felt as grounded or immersed in British culture had she been sent back to Jamaica.
She then went on to talk about the third factor and turning point that influenced her path towards becoming an MP; going to University at Cambridge.
Here was a young Black girl from a working class Jamaican family going to one of the bastions of Britain’s Higher Education establishments, at a time when many young people – particularly young Black people – got nowhere near.
At Cambridge, Diane became active in the feminist movements of the time, but found herself disappointed that there seemed no place for ‘race’ in their discussions. Women are not one dimensional but Diane’s difference was never acknowledged let alone celebrated.
Diane’s neighbouring MP and rising star Meg Hillier, Member of Parliament for Hackney South (pictured above with Diane), popped in too. Meg is fantastic. She was Waltham Forest’s London Assembly Member before our current GLA Member Jennette Arnold. Waltham Forest’s loss was definitely Hackney South’s gain. We are lucky, in my borough, to have had two such superb GLA representatives since the return of London’s City Wide government in 2000. Luckily, Jennette’s promised us she’ll be around for a little longer yet 
I then grabbed the birthday girl for myself to give her a huge hug before moving on to demolish some of the gorgeous cake (see below) that had been made for her.
Diane, you are pioneer, an amazing woman, a true survivor.
Thanks for all you’ve done to build the confidence of young Black women going into politics today.
We could have never done it without you and we salute you for everything you’ve been through and everything you’ve achieved.
Congratulations on twenty years as a British Member of Parliament!!!!!
June 12th, 2007
The 2007 Compass National Conference took place at the Westminster Central Hall on Saturday.
Like last year, as someone on the centre left of the Labour party, I found it stimulating and empowering and was glad to participate. The conference also again served to remind people about the politics and philosophy of the late Robin Cook, who is Compass’ political hero.
Below are a few pics and a bit of commentary about the sessions I attended.
After Compass Chair Neal Lawson (pictured above in the first picture of this story) welcomed everyone to the conference, we got to hear from Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis; London Mayor Ken Livingstone; Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti and Frances O’Grady, Deputy General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (pictured above).
I really, really enjoyed this opening session. As usual, Frances O’Grady pulled no punches with a feisty, tub thumping defence of trades unions’ place in the world and their continuing commitment to international solidarity.
Ken Livingstone was, like always and like Frances – a joy to listen to. Ken is just a superb politician – thoughtful, political and – most importantly – practical. I am really pleased that it’s Ken running our city and not the Liberal Democrats or the Tories. Everyone who supports Ken and our London Labour Assembly Members needs to get out on the streets and campaign for them over the next few months. London can’t risk a Tory or Liberal Democrat Mayor of London or a BNP Member of the London Assembly.
At lunchtime, I popped into quite a few excellent ‘fringe’ sessions, including one on migration with the wonderful Neil Gerrard, MP for Walthamstow (pictured above left). As everyone now knows, Neil won’t be standing again at the next General Election. He will be a hard act to follow and will be sadly missed. As a councillor in the neighbouring constituency (and the same local council) as Walthamstow, I will be following the contest to select Neil’s successor closely. May the best woman win!
After Neil, I then returned to the building’s main hall to watch a bit of the Compass Youth Event chaired by tireless Labour Party, Compass and anti-BNP activist Sam Tarry (pictured first from right).
The Compass Youth Event discussed what different youth movements around the world are doing to mobilise and reenergise political activity amonst the young. Great stuff. Sam and other young Compass activists like Tom Miller, Omar Salem and David Flloyd show what a bright future awaits the Labour party – particularly the centre left of the party – because of their involvement. I’m really glad that Sam, Omar, David and Tom chose to join Labour rather than another ‘left’ political party. They are fab.
Talking of Tom Miller, I then popped into the NUS Fringe on education and marketisation, at which Tom (pictured above centre) was speaking. Mr Miller has long been my favourite blogger – and not because I also went to Manchester University where he’s currently studying. Nope, I just love reading Tom’s fabulous Newer Labour blog and he is just as impressive in person. Mr Miller, I salute you. Long may the musings of Newer Labour reign
Last stop of the conference for me was the fringe meeting hosted by the New Local Government Network (NLGN), chaired by the NLGN’s most lovely Director of Communications, my good friend James Hulme (pictured second from left).
NLGN’s meeting, which was discussing how local councils can play a stronger role in issues relating to migration and climate change, was addressed by another good friend and former Lea Bridge ward local councillor Stella Creasy (pictured first from left); Jane Roberts, former leader of Camden Borough Council and Chair of the Government’s current ‘Councillors’ Commission’; Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Borough Council (pictured far right); and Lyn Brown, MP for West Ham and Private Parliamentary Secretary to local government Minister Phil Woolas (pictured third from left).
It was a thoroughly enjoyable fringe meeting with a high level of debate. Well done to the NLGN for inviting such a fab panel of speakers.
After NLGN’s fringe, I had to rush off to hang out with US political legend the Reverend Jesse Jackson (see the next story for more info) so I didn’t get to see the end of the conference.
Like last year, a huge thanks and praise must go to Compass’ tireless General Secretary Gavin Hayes, Compass’ Chair Neal Lawson and our Campaigns Officer Zoe Williams for keeping the Compass flag flying.
Fabulous stuff!
Looking forward to the Compass Conference 2008
June 10th, 2007
Those who you who’ve been reading stories on this site for a while, will remember that around this time last year I posted this little story about the wonderful staff who work in the office of my wonderful Member of Parliament Harry Cohen.
Well, Harry is still my MP and and his staff are still absolutely wonderful.
There have been a few staff changes to Harry’s office since last year, so I thought I would let Leyton ward residents put some faces to the new names they are now talking to whenever they call or write to Harry.
Pictured above (from left to right) are ‘Tulip’ Siddiq, who books appointments for Harry’s surgeries and assists with his work with Leyton and Wanstead’s South Asian Community; next to Tulip is the gorgeous Elijah Mariam, Harry’s stalwart case worker and radical political thinker 
; and to Elijah’s right, Jo Wilson, who replaced the superb Zoe Williams, as Harry’s researcher. As many of you will know, Zoe now works as Campaigns Officer for Democratic Left Pressure Group Compass (upon whose Management Committee I have sat on for the last two years).
Tulip, Elijah and Jo are all really, really lovely and work really hard for the residents of Leyton ward, as well as the whole of the Leyton and Wanstead parliamentary constituency, on Harry’s behalf.
This photo is from the lunch I took them out to last week, to thank them again for yet another year of fantastic support I’ve received from them and Harry, as I’ve tried to go about my work as a new Leyton ward councillor.
I am pleased to say that it has now been confirmed that Harry has been unanimously selected by the Leyton and Wanstead Constituency Labour Party to stand for us again as our parliamentary candidate at the next General Election.
I will be proud to continue working with and campaigning for Harry, alongside Tulip, Jo and Elijah.
Like last year, you are still the Best MP’s Office in the Whole Wide World
To make a surgery appointment with Harry Cohen MP call 020 7219 6376 or write to him at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
June 10th, 2007
My excellent colleague Cllr Afzal Akram and I attended a lovely local reception at the offices of Sedgwicks International on Lea Bridge Road, a couple of weeks back, to welcome Mr Burchell Whiteman, Jamaica’s new Ambassador to the UK.
Key representatives of London’s Caribbean community turned out in force to welcome the new Ambassador. It was lovely to catch up with rising political star Flloyd Millen (pictured far left in a yellow tie).
After several of the church pastors gathered led a prayer for Mr Whiteman, I got to have a chat with a little chat with him and welcome him to Britain. He told me that he’s really happy to have been posted to Britain and is looking forward to promoting the Jamaican diaspora, as well as strengthening Jamaica’s links with other Caribbean communities, here in the UK.
Thanks so much to Sedgewick International’s Chief Executive Mr IPC Livingston (pictured with me above) for inviting me to this prestigious event.
Welcome again to Britain, Mr Whiteman!
I wish you every success during your time here!
June 10th, 2007
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