Reminder: Trident Debate tomorrow (Tuesday 14 May)

Tomorrow's Newham Compass/Fabians debate on Trident "What it for?".

Labour NEC member Luke Akehurst will be debating with Dr Kate Hudson from CND.

7.30pm Tuesday 14 May at the West Ham Supporters' Club (which is next door to the football stadium). Nearest tube Upton Park.

It is free to attend but a donation towards the cost of room would be appreciated.

Trident: What's it for? Luke Akehurst & Dr Kate Hudson Compass/Newham Fabians Debate

This should be an interesting and topical debate! It is just a shame that Luke and Kate are so notorious for being quiet, reserved and consensual about such matters that things may be just a little flat....

:)

An Economy for One Nation: How Progressive can the next Labour Government be?

This post is late but tomorrow Thursday 14 March East Ham MP and shadow minister for Employment, Stephen Timms and UNISON Head of Local Government, Heather Wakefield will be debating how progressive (or radical) the next Labour Government can be?

This event is bring arranged by Newham Compass and Fabians. It is being held at the West Ham supporters club starting at 7.30pm.

Click on flyer to bring up further details.

"An Economy for One Nation": Stephen Timms MP & Heather Wakefield (UNISON)

This should be good. East Ham MP Stephen Timms (Shadow Minister for Employment) and UNISON, Head of Local Government Heather Wakefield debate "An Economy for One Nation" and how progressive can the next Labour Government be?

Equality: how radical can the next Labour Government be?

Newham Compass & Fabians are holding their next event on how radical the next Labour Government will be with regard to achieving greater income equality.

This will be held on 7.30pm Tuesday 4 December 2012 at West Ham Supporters club in Green Street.

The guest speaker will be Sean Baine from the Equality Trust. The trust is "an independent, evidence based campaign working to reduce income inequality in order to improve the quality of life in the UK". It was set up by the authors of the Report "The Spirit Level".

Sean spoke at my UNISON Housing Association branch AGM early this year on the same subject. I met him again last month at the launch of Class. He is very good speaker and it should be an interesting debate.

I have a Council meeting clash that evening so might not make it. My take on this is that is the most important political issue and is central to nearly all my beliefs. Radically reducing levels of income inequality should be a key manifesto pledge.

Yet we cannot just sit back and pontificate about this but we need to get out and convince the Great British Public that this is necessary and will benefit everyone in our society. 

Reminder: "The Future of London Government" Newham Compass & Fabians

Tuesday 9th October,  at West Ham Football Club Supporters' bar, Castle Street, at 7.30 pm.

Val Shawcross is a member of the GLA, and Susanna Rustin & Ted Flanagan were part of the team that successfully campaigned to set up the first Parish Council in London (in the City of Westminster!).

"The Future of London Government" Newham Compass & Fabians

This should be interesting. I'm not sure that this idea will really work? While the proposed parish council model is different, it does remind me a little of the "One Stop Shop" decentralisation in Tower Hamlets during the 1990's.

I also think that there is an argument that the 32 London Boroughs (and City of London) are too small and that we should really be considering merger?

Or perhaps get rid of London unitary Councils, merge boroughs and have parish councils?

Still, this should be good debate. Hope I can make it.

"The Future of London Government, 

on Tuesday 9th October, 

at West Ham Football Club Supporters' bar, Castle Street, at 7.30 pm.

Val Shawcross is a member of the GLA, and Susanna Rustin & Ted Flanagan were part of the team that successfully campaigned to set up the first Parish Council in London (in the City of Westminster!)"

Double click to bring up more details. Hat tip Christopher (Viva!).