The Labour Party in Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest Labour and anti-semitism (1)

May 11, 2016 anti-semitism, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest

The Waltham Forest Guardian is reporting that the Labour Party has suspended Walthamstow activist David Watson, with a statement reading: ‘“An individual member of Walthamstow Labour Party has been suspended from the Labour Party pending an investigation by the national party. We condemn anti-Semitism and racism of all kinds but cannot comment further until the Party investigation has concluded.”’  Predictably, Mr. Watson denies any link to anti-semitism, and believes that the charges are wholly without justification (mercifully, he spared us the ‘I’ve been quoted out of conte... »

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John Cryer MP’s lacklustre Parliamentary record UPDATED

May 9, 2016 John Cryer MP, Waltham Forest Labour Party

I have periodically joked that, so rarely is John Cryer seen or heard locally, he must love his sleep. Now the website They Work For You provides some hard data to chew upon, and largely confirms my suspicions: Mr. Cryer’s Parliamentary record is indeed lacklustre. The bare bones are as follows. Mr. Cryer, it turns out: ‘Has spoken in 15 debates in the last year — well below average amongst MPs. Has received answers to 4 written questions in the last year — below average amongst MPs. Replied with 2 or 3 weeks to a low number of messages sent via WriteToThem.com during 2014, according to ... »

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Extremism in Waltham Forest: a quick roundup of the recent lowpoints

April 29, 2016 Martin Esom, Prevent

It has been a busy few months on the extremism front in Waltham Forest, so here is a short roundup of the major stories that have been featured on this blog (links to the full versions are pasted beneath). The material of course largely speaks for itself. One point is important though. LBWF Chief Executive Martin Esom claims some expertise in counter-extremism work, and chairs the London Prevent Board. Perhaps he should spend more time looking at what is right under his nose. January 2015 Investigative reporter Andrew Gilligan recounts the following: ‘Last November, in Leyton, east London, the... »

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Academies, George Tomlinson Primary, and LBWF Interim Director of School Standards Rosalind Turner UPDATED

April 24, 2016 Academies, George Tomlinson, LBWF, Waltham Forest Labour Party, Waltham Forest Schools

Earlier this week, a reliable contact in the Town Hall rang me to say that some Labour councillors seemed spooked by the stance being taken by LBWF’s Interim Director of School Standards, Rosalind Turner, and more generally were nervous about what they perceived as the ‘academisation’ of Waltham Forest schools. Indeed, my contact told me, the rumour circulating was that Cabinet member Cllr. Mark Rusling had actually resigned over the issue, before temporarily rescinding his decision because of the scandal enveloping Cllr. Khan (for which see previous posts). A couple of days later, the followi... »

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Cllr. Robbins on the Private Eye and Guido Fawkes allegations about Cllr. Ali

April 20, 2016 Cllr. Chris Robbins, Cllr. Liaquat Ali, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest

I reprint below some correspondence that I have had with Cllr. Chris Robins, Leader of LBWF, concerning allegations involving his close colleague Cllr. Liaquat Ali and the latter’s family. Most of Cllr. Robbins’ response to me, it hardly needs saying, is irrelevant, but I am struck by the line about ‘as a matter of routine’ not responding to ‘either publication’. The allegations made are serious ones. Both Guido and Private Eye have substantial readerships, including many influential decision-makers (MPs, civil servants, etc.). In addition, the issue at stake clearly hits a popular nerve. In g... »

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Cllr. Ahsan Khan steps down amid talk of inadmissible intolerance UPDATED

April 13, 2016 Cllr. Ahsan Khan, Martin Esom, Prevent, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest

Word reaches me that earlier in the week Labour councillors were circulated with an e-mail which announced that Cllr. Ahsan Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, had stepped down from the Cabinet, pending an independent investigation by the LBWF Monitoring Officer. What appears to have happened is that Cllr. Khan organised an event in the Town Hall, attended by the Mayor, which was then the subject of a video posted online, the latter put together by one Qari Mahmood and propagated by Khalid Iqbal Malik. It is this video that is the source of the problem, because it is said to display... »

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Council Leader Chris Robbins: staying or going?

April 11, 2016 Cllr. Chris Robbins, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest, Uncategorized

A local Labour Party mole writes in as follows: ‘When Labour was re-elected at the 2014 council elections, it was assumed by many insiders that this would be Chris Robbins’ last term as Leader. Speculation turned to the succession, with Clare Coghill and Mark Rusling generally believed to be the leading contenders. However, those who knew Robbins well were always sceptical, because he previously had made a habit of hinting at his imminent retirement, using it as a tactic to keep members in line. Several aspiring successors were assured ‘keep your nose clean and you’ll be alright’, but ea... »

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LBWF councillors through the prism of their register of interest forms

March 23, 2016 LBWF, register of interests, Waltham Forest Labour Party

The LBWF councillor code of conduct requires each member to answer questions on a register of interest form at the beginning of their term of office, and then update as necessary, with the results being published on the authority’s website. In 2012, the Waltham Forest Guardian reported that councillors were finding this requirement challenging. Some had missed out crucial details, with, for example, the Leader, Chris Robbins, neglecting to mention his family home. Others – incredibly – overlooked their party membership. A few had simply failed to keep their forms up to date. The full sto... »

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Cllr. Johar Khan makes Private Eye

December 18, 2015 Cllr. Johar Khan, E11 BID Co., the Labour Party in Waltham Forest

From Private Eye, no. 1408, 19 December 2015 – 7 January 2016:     »

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Cllr. Johar Khan ‘suspended pending the result of an investigation’

December 2, 2015 Cllr. Johar Khan, E11 BID Co., the Labour Party in Waltham Forest, Waltham Forest Labour Party

I have written before about Cllr. Johar Khan, noting in particular his puzzling relationship with the by now notorious E11 BID Co.. This afternoon, the Waltham Forest Guardian reports ‘A Labour Party spokesman’ as saying: ‘“We can confirm Cllr Khan has been suspended pending the result of an investigation.”’ Coincidentally, in the last few days, I have received an anonymous letter about Cllr. Khan, which also alleges that the local Labour Party is involved in a cover up. I am aware that Cllr. Khan has some political enemies, for instance those who have not forgiven him ... »

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