In the general sadness and shock at Ken losing the Mayorality (and Boris winning) comrades may have missed a couple of things. First of all there were swings TO Labour in several places and we won an extra GLA constituency (Brent and Harrow, Navin Shah).

Just remember this on the way into work tomorrow in London, when you battle through all the hostile and jeering media headlines about Lee Jasper’s decision to resign as a senior advisor to London Mayor, Ken Livingstone.

This really is “Dog Whistle Politics".

Statement by the Greater London Authority on the resignation of Lee Jasper

On Sunday 9 March 2008 there will be a London wide day of action organised by TULO in support of Labour Mayor, Ken Livingstone and all our London Assembly candidates.

In the City & East GLA constituency on 9 March we are planning to support our neighbours in Havering by campaigning in the Goodshays by-Election. The ward BNP councillor has resigned. At the 2006 council election, Gooshays Ward was highly marginal between Labour, the Tories and the BNP candidate. Yve Cornell, the Labour candidate, was beaten by the narrowest possible margin, on the flip of a coin. The by-election on 20 March gives us an opportunity to win back a seat on the council and kick the BNP out of Havering. Not only that but we can firm up the GLA Labour vote for Ken and the other Labour wide candidates.

On Wednesday Ken Livingstone ended a powerful speech to Labour trade unionists by speculating whether the “Standard” (aka the “Evening Boris”) would ever print any of the truth about Ken and the Labour Assembly members during the current campaign.

Of course everyone laughed at the prospect of the “Standard” accurately reporting the significant reduction in crime in London.

The event was organised by TULO and held in the historic old Town Hall in Stratford, East London.

On Wednesday I went to a Labour Party fund raising “Meet Ken Livingstone and the Assembly candidates” event at the historic Old Town Hall in Stratford, London. At the balcony of this former “West Ham” town hall, in 1892 election, Keir Hardie the first ever elected “Independent Labour MP”, gave a victory speech to supporters gathered outside.

The main hall was full with about 300 people present. A number of trade unions and local CLP’s had adopted tables. We of course had a UNISON table. Apart from the “Fish ‘N’ Chips” and free pickled unions and wallies (aka as pickled gherkins) we had the usual Labour Party raffle and auction (prizes ranged from such as a free trip to the European parliament via Eurostar to “Tea at the House of Commons Terraces” with Harriet Harman. The mystery prize was a (new!) pair of boxer shots with a design of the London underground system upon them.

Last night after the march I went to the annual trade union, May Day reception, laid on by London Mayor, Ken Livingston, at City Hall, SE1. It was held in the "London Living Room" which is on the 9th floor of City Hall. It has brilliant views over central London and the Thames. There is an open air balcony and you can see for miles.

The place was packed (200 odd?) with the great and good of TIGMOO. Ken lived up to his reputation of being a good host, lots of lovely grub and a drink or two. There was a good presence from London UNISON (See picture with TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber).

Ken gave a speech first. Concentrating about the London Assembly elections next year (2008), the threat from the BNP and the lies that they tell (e.g. during the local council elections last year in Barking, the BNP spread the lie that Ken was giving £50,000 to every African who wanted to move to that area). He made a good point that there is a lot of cynicism amongst the public about what "politicians" say (I would agree to a point). However, many people will trust what their trade union and shop steward says. So if the union tells its members, don't believe the rubbish that the fascists are putting out, members are more likely to pay attention. I think this is largely true.

Brendan gave a thought provoking speech about the role of trade unions and the way we have to adapt to our modern day society. Which I suppose was a lead to Tony Woodley, Joint Secretary of the brand new union UNITE which was born on May 1. UNITE merges the Transport & General (whom I use to be a member and shop steward) and Amicus (who I also use to be a member). UNITE is now probably the biggest trade union in the UK. Tony is a fluent and natural speaker. I could see in him now as the former convenor in Vauxhall's car plant, Ellesmere Port. It was interesting that he expressed regret that Ken was no longer a MP, since he would have has his support as a candidate to be the Labour Leader! Ken's face beamed unabashed. However, I am certain he must play the game "what if" from time to time (don't we all).

Due to UNITE, there are various rumours about what UNISON and the GMB will do in response. I teased the GMB Tower Hamlets branch secretary yesterday that UNISON and the GMB were about to merge. He replied "never in my life time, never in my life time!" He's like me, a young chap (okay, okay - mid 40's is now young). Maybe so. However, I do not expect there to be a stand alone "GMB" or "UNISON" in 5 years time. We live in interesting times. Why can't we have single industry/service unions?

All in all, an excellent end to an excellent day. Tomorrow morning (taken day off), I am off with a car load of East London comrades to Thurrock, Essex to help out in the election. Good practice, since the BNP are fighting all their seats.

Good luck to all Labour candidates tomorrow.

The GLA Tories are proposing budget cuts that would take away free bus travel to the under 18s in London.