Well, Rhodes was fun, Turkey was interesting, be quite happy to go back there.
Since returning, had a couple of days back home, did an extra surgery to make up for postponing one whilst I was away. Attended Hornsey & Wood Green's Labour selection meeting last Sunday where UNISON's head of health, Karen Jennings, was selected on the first ballot to be our candidate to fight the sitting Lib Dem MP. Karen lives in Muswell Hill, so it will be good to have another local candidate fighting for the seat.
After that I headed straight down to Bournemouth for the Amicus Policy Conference. Some may know that we are merging with the Transport & General Workers Union (TGWU) to become Unite. Very interesting debates took place, I was able to speak on equality for young people with the national minimum wage, highlighting what I believe to be one of Labour's proudest achievements since being elected in 1997, however falling short by the fact that younger workers get a lower minimum wage than older workers. I also spoke in the debate on the BNP, reminding colleagues how the BNP had come within 5,000 votes of winning a seat on the London Assembly and the very risk of them winning a seat next year.
Let's be clear, the BNP do not only hate black and gay people, they hate the unions as well. It is all too easy to fall under the BNP spell if people are unhappy with job losses, but a swing to the far right is not the answer.
We also heard from Gordon Brown, PM-in-waiting and some of us who work in the health service were able to have a private meeting with him after his speech. Around 8 of us met Gordon and I had the chance to tackle him about how admin work from the North Middlesex Hospital is being sent to India, leading to job losses.
Attended the Noel Park Residents Association meeting last night, where my colleague, Cllr. Brian Haley, Cabinet Member for the Environment was able to discuss local residents concerns about buses in Gladstone Avenue (a long story) and the CPZ.
Off to Manchester tomorrow for Labour's Leadership Conference on Sunday (more on Monday).
Oh and with all that, still had time to pop into work for a couple of times, only to find out that my blood pressure is currently sky-high. But don't expect a by-election in Noel Park on the Labour side and to answer a couple of questions to me; I have been elected to serve as a Labour Councillor in Noel Park for four years and serve as a Labour Councillor I will. End of.
Have a good one till later xx
Friday 22 June 2007
Saturday 9 June 2007
Hello from Rhodes
I am currently having a few days break being away from everything, but I don't know, one just can't stay away!!
Been in very sunny Rhodes since Wednesday and earlier whilst having lunch by the harbour watching the ships and people go by (and not a sailor in sight, let me tell you!), I was taken by how clean things are, despite very few little bins, and one wonders what can we learn back in England?
There are some big bins for the locals to dump their rubbish, similar to that seen by Sheila Peacock and myself over the new year in Verona, so perhaps there is something we can learn from our European neighbours in terms of cleansing, who knows?
Despite being away, still can't avoid key matters, like watching England beat Estonia 3-0 on Wednesday and checking up on the Big Brother information, now some men have arrived, my interest will have picked up!!
Anyway, popped out on the local "train" for a tour around Rhodes Town for 4 Euros earlier which lasted for around an hour and some lovely sights, this was followed by my lunch on the harbour.
And as a Religous person, it has also been nice to visit some of the local Churches, indeed, I have just been to Mass where the service was conducted in both Latin and English. Strange to know the English words suddenly become all romantic in Latin.
I'm off to visit Turkey on Monday, which is just 12 miles away! Sad fact time, I collect key-rings, so Rhodes and Turkey have now been added to my list, I mean just how sad is that?
Anyway, my time on the internet is fast running out, so tet-ta for now. (Oh and yes, I'm missing what looks like a good episode of Dr. Who.........)
Now, where's my drink??? xx
Been in very sunny Rhodes since Wednesday and earlier whilst having lunch by the harbour watching the ships and people go by (and not a sailor in sight, let me tell you!), I was taken by how clean things are, despite very few little bins, and one wonders what can we learn back in England?
There are some big bins for the locals to dump their rubbish, similar to that seen by Sheila Peacock and myself over the new year in Verona, so perhaps there is something we can learn from our European neighbours in terms of cleansing, who knows?
Despite being away, still can't avoid key matters, like watching England beat Estonia 3-0 on Wednesday and checking up on the Big Brother information, now some men have arrived, my interest will have picked up!!
Anyway, popped out on the local "train" for a tour around Rhodes Town for 4 Euros earlier which lasted for around an hour and some lovely sights, this was followed by my lunch on the harbour.
And as a Religous person, it has also been nice to visit some of the local Churches, indeed, I have just been to Mass where the service was conducted in both Latin and English. Strange to know the English words suddenly become all romantic in Latin.
I'm off to visit Turkey on Monday, which is just 12 miles away! Sad fact time, I collect key-rings, so Rhodes and Turkey have now been added to my list, I mean just how sad is that?
Anyway, my time on the internet is fast running out, so tet-ta for now. (Oh and yes, I'm missing what looks like a good episode of Dr. Who.........)
Now, where's my drink??? xx
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