Staycation - celebrating the heritage of Britain

In these difficult times of recession when money is limited and we all need a break, a larger number of UK residents are opting for staycations otherwise known as homidays. These are new fangled terms for going on holiday in the UK mainland. Personally, I believe this opens a door to the wonderful heritage we have in this country and although being of Pakistani origin I have always thought of myself as 100% British.

My family are abroad whilst my wife displayed our latest addition to our family 8 month year old Leah, to her mother's parents in Pakistan. As a consequence whilst we had a surprising amount of good weather I decided to travel to Hastings for their world renowned May Day Beltane celebrations. For those of you unaware of the origins of this festival I will describe it in short...

Beltane is an old Celtic celebration on 1 May, a spring-time festival of optimism. A fertility ritual takes place, connecting with the waxing power of the sun.

Although there are a few people that truly believe the old Celtic religious themes surrounding the pagan festival, the vast majority of people attending the event are just out to have some fun.

The event was well attended and involved a street procession that ended in a drum, morris dancing and belly dancing event within the confines of Hastings Castle.  Entrance to the Castle event cost £3.00 for adults and £1.00 for children and was real value for money.  At the end of the stage performances there was a ceremonial slaying of the green man a wicker Christmas tree shaped costume with a crown.  The slaying of the   "Green Man" led to a distribution of the laurel leaves within the costume, that were said to bring good luck to the bearer and hence they were distributed to all who wanted some.  A worthwhile trip and I would encourage others to attend next year and learn about an old British custom...

I am putting on weight!

A rare smile from Wilson but it was a wonderful day out!

Flamboyant costumes were adorned by those in the procession

A samba band joined drummed heartily.

Young and old created a vibrant event.

Green was a predominant colour.

Giants do exist!

A real party atmosphere!

This cheeky man painted my nose green and those of many visitors.

friendly people everywhere...

Help I'm being am(bushed)!

The detail in the hat was extraordinary

Belly dancers served a treat!

They really got the crowd going.

Traditional Celtic dancing was delightful to watch.

Morris dancers my favourite!

Masses of people awaited the slaying of the "Green Man"

Morris Dancers circled the Green Man..

The crowd stood to watch the slaying.

Thousands turned up to watch a great spectacle.

The Green man was slain.

A great day out ended by an invite offered to some Morris dancers to come to Redbridge Carnival.  I felt it necessary to invite partakers of one of Britain's oldest traditions to our community event to prevent the loss of a great and rather fun heritage,

Yes to fairer votes!

Wilson and Former Cabinet Minister MP Sammy Lammy say yes to fairer voting!



Wilson and Murad Qureshi London Assembly Member say yes to fairer votes!


Wilson and Business Secretary MP Vince Cable say yes to fairer votes!



Katie Ghosh Cheif Executive of the Yes to Fairer Votes group spoke of the need for a more progressive voting system to enhance UK democracy.


Baroness Oona King spoke out against the deceitful "No" campaign set on preventing adoption of AV.



Other guests included Baroness Meral Hussein- ece


David Lammy former Cabinet Minister explained that the AV system would make MP's strive harder to serve their electorate.


The meeting was chaired by Director of Operation Black Vote Simon Wooley.


Vince Cable has been an outspoken proponent for AV and alluded to a desire for proportional representation that empowered every vote.

Many of local residents have queried how to vote in the forthcoming referendum on the potential adoption of an Alternative Vote election system in the UK. I was reticent to speak on the matter on this blog until being invited to the Operation Black Vote Leaders Rally. The Leaders Rally stirred me to convey the potential benefit of the proposed new voting system.

This proxy is the first of its kind in 36 years - the last national referendum in the UK was held on the year of my birth 1975. There have been only 9 major referendums in the UK some of you will remember the London Mayor Referendum and other will remember Scottish Devolution or National Welsh Assembly Referendums, to state a few.

The fact remain that the sovereignty of Parliament ultimately makes the final decision one to be made by our MP's. However, it would be a rare turn of events for the Government to renege on the decision made by the wider populous on this debate.

So how should we vote in the forthcoming referendum?

I am no expert on AV however, I am a keen supporter of any progressive political movements. I detail below my perceptions of the benefits of AV which were echoed in similar fashion at the Leaders rally held at Commonwealth House,Northumberland Avenue, London:

1. AV will require a strong majority win: The first past the post existing voting system allows potential winners to be elected without a strong majority. This has resulted in many MP's being selected on 30% margins or slightly higher. With the AV system by the utilisation of priority voting (1st choice, 2nd Choice, 3rd Choice), elected MP's will categorically have to attain votes from at least 50% of the electorate.

2. AV increases choice: Electors unhappy with a particular party they traditionally vote for, can opt to give them a lower ranking whilst voting for an alternative hard working individual as a first choice. This is a more positive protest vote than a vote for an extremist group such as the BNP, who won a large number of Labour votes in recent elections. It will open the door to a stronger presence of popular, hardworking individuals (MP's) from smaller parties who will gain a larger share of votes.

3. AV will stimulate endeavour amongst potential MP's: The very fact that 50% of the votes will be required for a seat will mean that MP's will be required to be known by their electorate and representative. This could create a pathway for our first Greem MP locally. Moreover, numerous polls indicate the majority of electors do not know the names of their local MP's or Councillors and could not recognise them by face. AV would stimulate a concerted effort by our MP's to engage with their electorate, meaning that core local issues would direct their decisions in Parliament - resulting in a Government more in tune with its people.

4. AV would increase the weight of your vote: Many people feel disenfranchised by their vote and often are apathetic about completing an election proxy, much due to a belief that their vote will make no difference. This is the case in the First past the post system in which only a major shift in voting allegiance would have any affect and MP's could be elected on simple majorities. Although the AV system is not as favourable as proportional representation in which every single vote counts - it is a sure and steady step in the right direction.

Dispelling the Myths:

The AV system is not costly to introduce this is a fallacy and a ploy to retain the unrepresentative and undemocratic election system, that has created our existing two party political regime.

The AV system is not a new invention, charities use it for their leadership elections, the Speaker of the House of Commons is selected in the same way. AV is used when voting for the London Mayor and has been used for decades in Australia during their parliamentary elections. Moreover one of the reasons why the First past the post system is so globally entrenched is due to Britain once colonising much of the know world during it's empire building day's. Such voting systems are part of the last vestiges of that period, the empire has now collapsed and surely the global community should now move on..

Finally, I must shatter the allusion that British People will find the AV system confusing. Last night at an Operation Black Vote Leaders Rally Baroness Oona King quite rightly said:

"If you can count to 3 you should be able to vote correctly in the AV system" She went on to disparage the view that British people would be to "dumb" to understand.

The simplicity is in the numbers with a selection by priority for your top 3 candidates the basic need is for an ability to write 1, 2, 3...



(Click here to learn more on AV)

Crime is on the increase in Redbridge

Gang violence is increasing in Redbridge numerous incidents of knife related crime occurred last week.

The fact that Redbridge now has recognised gangs operating within the borough is a disappointing local demise. One gang in particular called the Afghan Gang are robbing young people around Ilford Library. People feel increasingly less confident when they walk in our streets that once seemed so safe.

Two young girls were robbed in Seven Kings park by six other girls and were forced to do press ups in an activity meant to cause embarrassment.

On Friday from 11pm young people attending a party on Breamore road, Seven Kings, left the event on a stabbing spree. The ensuing violence led five people being stabbed on Green Lane, Lynford Gardens, Nutfield Gardens, and Sunnyside Road - two of the victims had punctured lungs. The local police have asked me to provide video evidence form the recording equipment we have installed to see if they can identify suspects. The whole situation has created much community fear and a similar incident on the High Road illustrates that knife crime is a growing social malaise, that needs significant attention.

Burglary and theft have increased and the Police are involved in some practices we would have found bizarre only a few years ago. For instance, bus stops are now being watched early in the mornings as the metal from the frame is being removed and sold as scrap.

Shoplifting has increased ans is being blamed on the increasing level of redundancies and unemployment.

As a community we need to be more vigilant regarding crime and it is essential that we start to work with our local Police teams to provide them with the ability to effectively challenge criminals and reduce crime.

Crime intelligence allows local people to map high crime areas providing them with the ability to concentrate their resources to tackle crime prevention and reduction with a significant level of specificity.

Churches are being targeted for the lead from their roofs and Gurdwaras and Mosques have reported theft from pockets on coat hooks and removal of valuable shoes.

Please be aware of the increasing crime and seek advice form your local Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

Images of our protest on 26th February 2011

In the wet pouring rain around 30 protesters made it to Hyde Park!

Guest Speaker Bob Archer (Redbridge NUT) gave a rousing address to warm up the brave and faithful warriors!

Cold and wet yet still enthralled by Dr Saible De's Speech on the ludicrous nature of the Equity and Excellence - Liberating the NHS Bill!

Derek Wall from the Green Party spoke next and again delivered a strong rallying call!

Cold and miserable as it was campaigners were ready for the fight!

Andy Burgin from Coalition of Resistance could not make the protest, but sent a very capable advocate in Bronywn. She advised us of the DAY X March to be held on the 9th March and another protest on the 16th March.

Small in number loud in voice and heart we trawled through Hyde Park calling for a repeal of the Bill.

Brollies out nothing could stop us!

People collected our leaflets and many learned for the first time about the dastardly government proposal.

Two doctors were in our protest and two joined midway.

Old and young (child in pushchair) represented in the protest.

Nothing was going to stop this determined lot!

Cars and vans honked their approval for our protest as we shouted out our slogans.

The rain persisted....

We made a decision to stop the protest early and to make our way to 10 Downing street for a rally and petition submission to make best use of our numbers.

We set up banner and handed our leaflets to any passerby

The scene outside 10 Downing street was a good one thanks to large banners.

After setting up we started shouting our slogans using the PA to great effect.

Kill the Bill, kill the Bill, it will make you very ill!

Bob Archer (NUT) explained what the protest was about.

Campaigners enjoyed each others company.

While Dr Saible spoke to the public we took a shot of our petition envelope with over 1000 signatures.


















Wilson (event organiser), Brian Cross and Rajeshri Chouhan outside the gates of 10 Downing Street.

Wilson and Brian outside 10 Downing Street.

Knocking on the door to number 10 seeking an audience.

Petition successfully delivered!

Campaigners waited patiently for return of petition submitters!

A job well done!

Found some more images...

This one is good...

Cane in hand and standing proud!

The rain did not stop play!

Where to spend a penny?

In the recent budget proposals Redbridge Council plan to close down 4 public toilets and make cuts to 12 more: changing opening, reducing cleaning, possibly reductions to just part-time use.

The 4 public toilets set to be completely closed are:


• Eastwood Close, E18 1BX off George Lane, South Woodford
• Horns Road, IG2 6BE Ilford
• Aldborough Road South, IG3 8JE Seven Kings
• The Wash, IG1 4DJ by Valentines Park, Ilford


The Council proposes spending more in 2011/12 to close those toilets than to keep them open.


Concerns raised by local groups include the need for such services particularly for vulnerable residents and visitors as well as the general public, especially:
• Prostate cancer patients
• Those with other prostate-related problems
• Multiple sclerosis patients
• Those with diabetes
• Some women at the menopause
• Some patients with heart conditions whose medicines have a diuretic effect
• The elderly
• Mothers with young children (The Council shows The Wash has “baby change” facilities)
• The homeless
• Those with bladder or bowel conditions
• Some with post-operative issues


As well as public toilets being so important for those listed, the potential budget savings the council is claiming equate to annual amounts which Councillors have previously described as insignificant in budget discussions. Therefore Redbridge Council may be in breach of Disability Discrimination legislation?


The reduction in cleaning etc (council ref: CDS302) shows “spending reductions” of £217,000 per year (£651,000 over 3 years), yet once you take into account setting up a new scheme, which the Council admits will cost £391,000 and redundancies costed at £200,000, this leaves an overall “saving” of just £60,000 over 3 years. Equivalent to just £20k per year, this amount could quickly be eaten up by anti-social behaviour issues and dealing with complaints - which the Council recognises as resource implications, but for which we have not seen the costings, and which the Council appears to have ignored as it showed “N/A” under “other resource implications” in the budget paperwork.


The immediate costs are huge, have severe implications for the disabled and disadvantaged and do not appear to offer real benefit?


Latest Council-figures show the closures are purported to save £92,000 p.a. (not £100,000 as in initial Budget report CDS309), yet redundancy costs amount to more: £102,000, thus costing more in 2011/12 to close those toilets than to keep them open.


There would be further costs which are not accounted for by the Council, but which it acknowledges such as: security costs, vandalism, anti-social behaviour, public urination, defecation etc. What will be the costs of dealing with those things and repairing damage to property etc? Existing contracts run till July 2012 so what are the contractor costs? What about the increased cost of home care services for those prevented from going out due to issues around lack of toilet facilities?

An on-line petition can be signed below:

https://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/saveourtoilets

British Medical Association confirm opposition to Equity and Excellence Bill!

image from Walthamstow ant-cuts protest on Saturday 19th February 2011.

A protest organised by Keep the NHS Public was held outside the BMA headquarters last night. The event was visited by around 40 die hard protesters including a number of medical students, who were gobsmacked by the proposals for the abolition of the PCT. I led the chants with my usual megaphone antics!

Students highlighted grave concerns that the training for doctors in this country - currently designed and coordinated by the NHS, would be placed into the hands of the private sector, reducing the quality and reciprocally doctor performance.

Many students were also concerned that the bursary that pays for the last 2 years of the course for British students on the 6 years medical course, might be scrapped!

In a tightly run debate in which discussion was limited and tension was high hundreds of doctor's voted to oppose the dastardly bill, that is seem by most as a stealth privatisation programme. Only 3 Doctors voted in favour of the bill!

Word spread quickly of the result and as Doctor's left the BMA headquarters they were met with cheers of praise and loud clapping. I led a chant that encouraged all those involved with the protest:

Thank you BMA -The NHS is here to stay! It seemed a small gesture then but a majot decison was made in the eerie halls of the BMA building.

Join us on our protest against the Equity and Excellence bill that threatens to decimate our beloved NHS.

Date: 26th February 2011
Time: 12:00
Start: North Carriage Drive entrance to Hyde Park
End: 10 Downing Street

Speakers include:

Rabia Zia - Pakistan-e-Tehreek Insaaf
Dr Ron Singer - Medical Practitioner Union Rep for Unite a role which he represents with Keep the NHS Public and the British Medical Association
Derek Wall - Former Principal of the Green Party
Romayne Phoenix - Chair of Coalition of resistence
Bob Archer - NUT
Barry Cross - Keep Our NHS Public
Upkar Rai - British Sikh Council
Wilson Chowdhry - British Pakistani Christian Association


Please sign our essential on-line petition:

http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/handsoffournhs

Defend the NHS!

THE Tory-led coalition lie, that the NHS is safe in their hands, has been exploded by the announcement that over 1,630 frontline jobs are to be axed at major London hospitals.

The propaganda, repeated ad nauseam by Cameron and Clegg, that the NHS has been ringfenced from the cuts and that frontline services would somehow be protected despite the £20bn in ‘savings’ that had to be made, were exposed by the announcement that St George’s hospital in South London and Kingston Hospital are both set to scrap 500 jobs each. This follows the announcement that over 630 jobs are to be axed at the Barts and London hospital in Whitechapel. Two hundred of these jobs are nursing posts!

St George’s also announced on Wednesday that the 500 jobs going include nurses and consultants!

In addition, three wards representing 100 beds are earmarked for closure, while the number of births allowed at the hospital will be reduced by 1,200 in the next year as part of the drive by the Hospital trust to save £50 million.

Kingston Hospital in south-west London similarly announced plans to sack 486 staff over the next five years.

Commenting on this bombshell announcement, the British Medical Association stated: ‘The scale of the financial challenge facing the service is such that this is likely to be the tip of the iceberg.’

The BMA are not kidding, it is a very big iceberg indeed.

These 1,630 jobs to go, take the total of redundancies in the NHS up to 3,053 since January 1st, according to the Royal College of Nursing.

This horror story is not confined to London. Frontline posts are being axed across the country from Southampton – 400 jobs and six ward closures – to North Lincolnshire with 440 jobs going.

In all, the RCN estimates that 27,000 frontline NHS jobs are set to go as a result of the coalition cuts.

Sackings on this scale amongst nurses and doctors, along with ward closures, and indeed the closure of entire departments and hospitals, confirms that the object of the coalition is to destroy the NHS.

The Welfare State, of which the NHS is a vital part, is to be destroyed in order to keep the bankrupt banks going on state aid.

The position of the leaders of the main TUC health union, Unison, to this prospect was spelt out in a press release, where its general secretary, Dave Prentis, boldly stated: ‘This is a terrible day for patients in London.’

As a statement of the obvious this is hard to fault, but it begs the question what does the largest union in the NHS intend to do to protect its members’ jobs and the very existence of the NHS?

The answer is to be found in Unison statements regarding the job losses at St George’s where they state: ‘Unison is seeking meetings with management to try and minimise job losses and protect patients.’

Apart from the bureaucrats who lead Unison and the other unions, no one in their right mind believes that negotiating with management will achieve anything except waste time and divert attention from the real issue – that of using the full strength of the trade union movement to defend every single job, every single bed and every single hospital.

This means that the unions must launch an immediate campaign of strike action and occupation of hospitals and wards to stop the sackings and the closures.

Members of the TUC trade unions must emulate the members of the BMA doctors’ union. They have forced through a special conference of the BMA, to be held later this month, at which members are determined to push through a resolution opposing and refusing to collaborate with the Tory NHS plans, and instead fight them.

The NHS was won in the late 1940s. It has saved millions of lives and transformed health care in the UK. The Tories must not be allowed to destroy it.

The TUC and all health trade unions must state boldly and publicly that they are prepared to defend the NHS with a general strike to bring down the coalition and bring in a workers government.

Written by Dr Anna Athow