Posts

Education round-up: worrying developments at Davies Lane and George Tomlinson

December 11, 2016 Academies, George Tomlinson, LBWF, Waltham Forest Schools

In previous posts, I’ve looked at some of the worrying developments that are occurring in relation to the governance of Waltham Forest schools. Now word reaches me of two further instances which set alarm bells ringing. Davies Lane Primary School recently was taken over by the Arbor Academy Trust. Almost simultaneously, the governors took the decision to dismiss NUT representative Tobias Hayden. According to the union, this occurred after a disciplinary hearing held in Mr. Hayden’s absence, and stemmed from two particular aspects of his activity, which are described as follows: ‘In the Summer term, Tobias invited junior doctors to speak to the school’s NUT group. Meet... »

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LBWF backs down on proposed changes to its Council Tax Support scheme

December 2, 2016 Council tax, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest, Waltham Forest Labour Party

Some good news for a change. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Labour’s plan to drastically increase the proportion of council tax that the poorer sections of society would be required to pay in the forthcoming financial year. However, I now understand that, due to pressure from Labour’s rank and file, in tandem with the opposition of ‘some’ councillors, the rate will stay the same as before, higher than other London boroughs, true, but at least flatlining. It would be nice to think that this volte-face represents a significant turning point, and that after disasters like the Better Neighbourhoods Initiative and Worknet, Labour’s leadership has finally re-dis... »

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Waltham Forest Labour and anti-semitism (2)

November 18, 2016 anti-semitism, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest, Waltham Forest Labour Party

This speaks for itself and is fairly shocking: http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/166110/labour-branch-chair-praised-activist-suspended-over-antisemitism In the past, Labour and anti-semitism stood at opposite poles, but now it seems to be a different story. »

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Cllr. Clare Coghill and her ‘little list’

November 16, 2016 Cllr. Chris Robbins, Cllr. Saima Mahmud, Cllr. Shabana Dhedi/Qadir, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest

Politicians who brandish ‘little lists’ seem more prone than most to getting into trouble. The prime example is of course one-time Minister Peter Lilley, who pulled this trick in a speech at the 1992 Conservative conference, received widespread opprobrium, and then disappeared into obscurity. Now Labour Councillor Clare Coghill – thought to be Leader Chris Robbins’ choice as his successor – may be in danger of reaping the same whirlwind. The scene is a jolly gathering of comrades at a local hostelry. Cllr. Coghill holds court. The conversation turns to the future, and how the Labour Group is likely to evolve. Cllr. Coghill is candid about her colleagues, naming both those she likes, an... »

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Council Leader Chris Robbins finally bobs off UPDATED

November 14, 2016 Cllr. Chris Robbins, the Labour Party in Waltham Forest, Waltham Forest Labour Party

Several well-placed Town Hall sources tell me that, yes, it is finally true: Council Leader Chris Robbins is standing down, perhaps by Christmas, certainly by next May. Robbins has always been nervous around selection time, looming now, but in the past, he was at least able partly to control the process. However, with the influx of new members, Waltham Forest Labour is now a rather different kettle of fish. It is a reasonable assumption that most of the recruits are left-leaning, if not actually Corbynistas, and few will have much time for Robbins’ top-down’ style of managing colleagues or his flexible politics. So it is a case of better go now than risk the ignominy of de-select... »

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