During Councillor reports we discussed the massive and "savage" cuts being forced upon Newham by this Tory led government. There was a mature and measured discussion about the harm being done and how to protect Newham residents and staff as best we can against the coming onslaught.
I spoke about how we must unite to oppose this government and support our local campaign "Newham Together" and the TUC March in March against the Cuts, which will take place in London on Saturday 26th March. We must make sure this will be a well attended and supported event. But also follow up with helping Party colleagues outside London in the local elections in May. This year there are no elections in London so we can go out and help Labour Candidates elsewhere. If we inflict "savage" defeats on local Tories and Lib Dem Councils this will make their local MPs take stock and think about changing their national policies. We have been given a Tory council to target and have set provisional campaigning dates.
I doubt that the ConDems will call an election before 2015 since turkeys would not vote for Christmas but I do believe if we campaign properly we can inflict defeats on the government and we may even help bring about a general election early.
Reacting to the Cuts will be really difficult but the Labour Movement family cannot afford to argue and bicker amongst ourselves since this will only benefit the real enemy.
New blood put themselves forward for a number of ward and Party positions. I was very pleased that Tahmina is now our new secretary.
Cllr Paul Brickell spoke and led a Q&A about the Olympics development and legacy plans which was well received. In comparison to the sometimes ill-informed and blatantly untruthful, malicious twaddle we have come across lately.
Future ward events planned include a tour of the Olympic Park and a Joint Forest Gate Labour Supporters meeting in March with Sir Robin Wales. Our local MP Lyn Brown and London Assembly member John Biggs have also been invited to attend and speak.
Onwards and forwards.
(this picture from 1905 will be familiar to anyone who has lived in Forest Gate - hat tip Newham Stories)
