Monday, March 12, 2007

Fighting Fascists


From the 24th March to the 7th April will be Anti-Fascist Fortnight. This is a crucial time for the anti-fascist movement with the threat of the BNP at local elections on May.

My first active participation in fighting fascists was in the run up to the last General Election. As President of the University of Birmingham Guild of Student I ensured time and resources were put into informing students about the fascist threat and making sure that they used their vote against the BNP. Knocking on doors across the student community we had the vast majority of student houses proudly displaying posters in their windows that 'we don't do fascism', a truly striking image which led to BNP activists trying to intimidate student campaigners.

At the local elections last year a counting error meant that Birmingham saw our 1st BNP Councillor (though their election has now been overturned by the courts). It's a real wake up call for me, when I think of a Councillor spreading BNP hate in my city.



That's why in the run up to the election, I'll be helping with the fight against fascists especially in anti-fascist fortnight and taking a message of 'Hope not Hate'. UNISON is a proud supporter of anti-fascism, and in the West Midlands UNISON will be a major player on the campaigning day in Sandwell on the 1st April. This promises to be a great day with the Mirror Battle Bus, community activities and Billy Brag entertaining the activists, as well of course as getting out there in the community and on the doorstep spreading our message of Hope not Hate. Some of us from the Young Members Forum will be there and hopefully some people from my branch will be coming along too.


Would be great to see you there, or joining with searchlight in other areas in the run up to the local elections. If your on facebook request an invite to the group (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=2241643143) or for details of all the anti-fascist fortnight events and searchlight's campaigns go to www.hopenothate.org.uk

Monday, March 05, 2007

Defending our NHS

On Saturday I was proud to be standing shoulder to shoulder with workers across the health service defending our NHS. I attended the Midlands NHS Together Rally in Birmingham, hearing a strong message from our General Secretary, that UNISON will defend the NHS and it's members. The announcement of appalling public sector pay awards really galvanized anger amongst those at the rally.

As we were in Birmingham, health workers and members of the public were participating in events all over the country defending our NHS. It's essential now that we continue to build support local and build for further action. If we are to call a national demonstration in the summer it's essential that it is done quickly and that branches are supported with appropriate resources and staff time to build for it.


I love a good demonstration, but more then that I love my NHS. I will continue to use my energies to defend it and the principles on which it was founded

Friday, March 02, 2007

My Nominations

Here are the nominations I've received from Branches and Young Members Forums.

Young Members Forums
  • National Young Members Forum
  • North West Young Members Forum

UNISON Branches
  • Salford City
  • Lancashire County Council
  • Manchester
  • Stockport LG
  • Omagh/Fermanagh Hlth & S.S.
  • Leicestershire Police
  • Ashfield
  • University Hospital Birmingham
  • Trafford Metropolitan
  • British Waterways Board (NW)
  • Durham County
  • Sefton Local Government
  • Central Manchester Health Care
  • Telford
  • West Midlands Police Staff
  • Bury St. Edmonds District Health
  • Wirral
  • City of Sunderland
  • Concorde Health
  • Crawley
  • East Somerset Health
  • Glasgow NHS
  • Newcastle City
  • Hampshire
  • North West Gas
  • Kerrier
  • Loughborough University
  • Northampton Borough
  • Northallorton Health
  • South Tyneside
  • Oxford City
  • Great Ormond Street Hospital
  • Norfolk & Norwich Acute Hospitals
  • Norwich Community Health
  • University of Teeside
  • Southend On Sea
  • St Helens College

The following nominations were received but not accepted due to administrative issues
  • Hartlepool
  • North of Tyne Primary Care
  • University of Southampton