On Thursday evening I was the “guest” speaker at West Ham Labour Party CLP General Committee (GC) at Stratford, Newham, East London, E15.  West Ham lays claim to being the "home of the Labour Party".  So this is a good place to argue why the Labour Movement needs to embrace "New Capitalism".

West Ham CLP, where the first ever Labour MP, Kier Hardie, was elected in 1892, voted tonight to nominate Gordon Brown for Leader of the Labour Party and Harriot Harman to be the deputy. Gorden was nominated overwhelmingly and Harriot also won the deputy vote by a clear margin. Jon Cruddas was 2nd then Alan Johnson. There was a lively but good natured comradely debate in an “all members” CLP meeting.

UPDATE: just heard that Tower Hamlets Labour Party voted to nominate (supportive) Brown as leader, and Jon Cruddas as deputy (Alan Johnson 2nd).

Excuse the probably sexist pun – Last night there was the second event organised by West Ham CLP (sponsored by London UNISON Labour Link) in Stratford to meet Deputy Leadership candidates. Last Wednesday we had Hilary, Jon and Harriet. Tonight it was the turn of Alan, Peter and Hazel. See picture of Hazel with local MP Lyn Brown MP and Rushanara Ali, the new Labour Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Bethnal Green & Bow (to take on Galloway’s)

Lyn Brown MP, West Ham CLP and London UNISON “Labour Link” invite you to Two Deputy Leadership Debates

Both at Sarah Bonnell School, Deanery Road, Stratford, E15 4LP. 10 minutes walk from Statford Station (via Deanery Road) and free on site car parking (enter Manby Street only).

Debate 1 Wednesday 23rd May 2007 (7:30pm for 8:00pm start) Confirmed speakers Harriot Harman, Jon Cruddas, Hillary Benn


Debate 2 Tuesday 29th May 2007 (7:30pm for 8:00pm start) Confirmed Speakers Peter Hain (tbc), Alan Johnson, Hazel Blears


Time for Questions - Collection and Raffle
All Labour Party members and political fund-paying members of affiliated Trade Unions welcome.

West Ham Labour Party has organised an event for members to meet the candidates. Hilary Benn, Jon Cruddas and Harriet Harman have confirmed they will be there.

The first event will take place on Wednesday 23rd May 2007 at 8.00 pm.
Doors open 7.30 pm at Sarah Bonnell School, Deanery Rd, Stratford, E15 4LP
Only 8 minutes walk from Stratford Bus and Train Station (car parking also available on site)

A second event for the other declared candidates who have prior arrangements on the 23rd is also being organised (details to follow).

West Ham MP Lyn Brown will host the events which are being sponsored by London UNISON Labour Link.

Neighbouring Constituency Labour Party's will be invited. Labour Party members and trade union levy paying affiliates only.

For further information contact
John Whitworth (CLP Education Officer) jhnwhitworth@Yahoo.co.uk 020 8257 9587 or
Alan Griffiths (CLP Secretary) alangriffiths_per@yahoo.co.uk 07773 884339

Workers Memorial Day (WMD - Saturday 28 April) is just over a week away. This should be one of the most important days in the Labour Movement calendar. 1000's of ordinary British workers die each year at work (e.g. falls, slips, violence, road traffic incidents) or from industrial illnesses (e.g. contact with asbestos). This is the sort of thing that the Trade Unions and the Labour Party should work together closely to promote. It is a core issue.