Author Archives: hmgupdated

“The imbalance between the Mayor’s powers and that of Assembly Members is stark. Assembly Members require power and recognition they sadly lack in the current governance arrangements. And it is my firm belief, that a fundamental overhaul is needed to address that imbalance” states Navin Shah (Lab), retiring Brent and Harrow London assembly member.Mr ShahContinue reading “London assembly needs overhaul, says a retiring member”

Good to see periodic text and video messages from the council leader and the director of public health about the infection, vaccination etc. Whilst the information they provide is useful, responding to Covid-19 is more than this and includes services developed new procedures and ways, and working with others where needed, to provide more appropriateContinue reading “Harrow council could do more in responding to Covid-19”

As the leading academics cited in the government’s controversial and seemingly pre-determined race report says they were not properly consulted, tweeter is busy in highlighting a Labour’s ‘racist’ leaflet.A government-commissioned review into racism has concluded the United Kingdom is not an institutionally racist country, prompting a backlash from critics who described the findings as anContinue reading “Racism has no political boundaries!”

A recent meeting of the Harrow Council health and wellbeing board heard that the borough’s vaccination programme will be predominantly based at Byron Hall in Harrow when the vaccination at Hives and Tithe Farm would cease on April 30. Therefore, it is worrying to hear that those who were called for their second dose ofContinue reading “Byron Hall, potential Covid-19 vaccination hub, could do better!”

Harrow residents and workers are being urged to do all they can to prevent the spread of Covid-19 following few cases of the South African variant.Working with Public Health England, the council will shortly offer tests to anyone over the age of 16 living or working in some selected streets.Those in Belmont, Harrow Weald, HatchContinue reading “Tests urged after South African Covid strain found”

In his newsletters, Harrow East MP Bob Blackman keeps praising government’s economic strategy, including its recent budget, and handouts to NHS and other authorities. “Behind the Budget’s slick government and media PR, rhetorical moves away from austerity and increases in overall tax and spend, there lies a simple truth: the Tories will hand out billionsContinue reading “Blackman veils government’s destructive financial decisions”

Looks that some political attention seekers in Harrow are using Covid-19 to stir up socio-religious emotions for point scoring. At the councillor questions time last Harrow council cabinet meeting, councillor Almond (photo) asked: “What evidence do you have that closing places of worship has helped to stop the spread of Covid?”Pity Almond did not knowContinue reading “Opposition councillor’s wasteful question generously answered”

Apparently in a show of support, the Prime Minister Johnson visited Hive, Barnet FC’s home stadium in Harrow, which is turned into a coronavirus vaccination centre. Harrow East MP Blackman boosted on his website that he joined prime minister on his visit to the vaccination centre on 25 January.A few weeks later, home secretary PatelContinue reading “Prime minister and home secretary visit Harrow vaccination centres as GLA elections approaching”

While the Labour leader Keir Starmer is busy in playing nationalism, nine black MPs in an open letter have expressed their dismay on the way the party has dealt with anti-black racism within the party. The reference is to Forde Inquiry, led by Martin Forde QC, that was tasked with looking into an internal report,Continue reading “Dismay on the way Labour party has dealt with ‘anti-black racism’”

Highly concerning that Harrow council planning committee, in many ways the public face of decision making, has leadership instability and has no substantial chairman in post at present. Councillor Keith Ferry, a longstanding member of the planning committee who chaired the committee for years, resigned from his role last year due to a conflict ofContinue reading “Harrow planning committee chairmanship in turmoil”