Saturday 12 September 2015

A historic moment - Jeremy Corbyn is the leader of the Labour Party.


A historic moment - Jeremy Corbyn is the leader of the Labour Party.

I am sitting here watching my Everton play Chelsea but for once I feel as though I'm walking on clouds even though there hasn't been a shot in anger..... yet!

Jeremy faced the might of the Labour grandees who raged against him, including 3 Labour Leaders, 2 Prime Ministers & the aptly named Mandelson's 'Young Reformers'. But despite their efforts and their purges Jeremy has won a massive victory - a victory for peace, for justice, for equality. A victory for immigrants, for the poor, for the oppressed.

This is the biggest political victory in the 55 years of my life, and yes, I know, it is just the beginning and there is hard work ahead but that's for tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I still have the remnants of tears in my eyes, so I am off to ponder my role in the future whilst savouring a moment in time..... and Everton have just scored!

JEZ WE DID!!!

Tuesday 8 September 2015

John Burgess for Unison General Secretary


I am very proud that my branch, Dorset, has nominated John Burgess for General Secretary of Unison.

John has led a campaign in Barnet against Tory privatisation that has beggared belief. It has been an exciting campaign, an imaginative campaign and a campaign littered with unexpected victories. Barnet is a template for councils everywhere fighting cuts & privatisation. 

Despite the commitment given by John this has not stopped him actively supporting other campaigns and he is also ready & willing to offer his experience, his support and his advice to anyone in struggle.

Personally, I find his commitment exhausting!

Unison has been on the 'back foot' for years fending off relentless cuts & privatisation and a pay freeze that goes on unabated despite the much vaunted "smash the freeze" campaign. It is the time to go on the offensive and John is the person to lead that offensive.

We are all also very much aware that over the past few months Jeremy Corbyn has changed the game in a way none of us were expecting. We are living in exciting times. There is an alternative to austerity and Unison can be pivotal in the fight to deliver that alternative.

John is a straight forward, a genuinely nice guy but a determined caring fighter.  He is the right person at the right time to lead us.

John Burgess is Unison's Jeremy Corbyn.

Nominate him, support him, vote for him.