I’m picking up from Newham residents the feeling that it’s time to call a halt to the scenario that the Labour Party in Newham are able to deliver the change we need.

But the electorate have it in their power to change this. The best way to do this is for the opposition parties to form a united platform putting up unity candidates as an alternative to the Labour Party across the Borough.

The nightmare would be if the Labour Party were re-elected in May 2022 without any external opposition whatsoever.

The concept of a unity platform is worth discussing and I would hope through Newham Voices we could have at least a mature discussion about the possibility.

Perhaps we could organise a public meeting to test the feasibility of a project in which all the opposition parties work together.

This would cause a revolution in democratic representation, but surely things can only get better with if we utilise all the different talent from across the political spectrum to challenge the drooping red rose of the Labour Party, which runs the risk of becoming a dried political flower.

There are surely many more blooms the Borough can offer.

In an ecologically aware time we need not only social justice but to be mindful of individual liberty as well.

It is time, I believe, for Newham to sweep away the cobwebs. We need a real wind of change Let’s join together with one voice, under one banner of opposition.

I hope this opens up the discussion for 2022 and it leads to open meetings and rational discussion on the benefits of a unity slate across the Borough.

Julian Meek, Interfaith minister
Stratford Unitarians
West Ham Lane E15 4PH

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