Author Archives: hmgupdated

When Keith Vaz MP, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, was cutting the ribbon at the opening of a vegetarian care home in Harrow last week, who could have known that his political career would come under hammer within days. Last Sunday a tabloid claimed that Mr Vaz acquired male prostitutes services and askedContinue reading “Keith Vaz MP, a disappointment!”

Despite an apparent appeal by the leader of the Harrow Labour group not to bring Corbyn-Smith division to the group, the Labour National Executives, seemingly acting upon a local complaint, have suspended an honest Harrow councillor, well known for her support for Jeremy Corbyn and social justice. The following public tweets by the Headstone SouthContinue reading “Corbyn V Smith Harrow victim”

Update (23.01.2017): We now understand that a police file was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service in order that a charging decision could be made. It has now been concluded that there is insufficient evidence to give rise to a realistic prospect of a conviction – there will be no further action taken by theContinue reading “Hall in deep water”

While much of public focus has been on the EU referendum, Bexit specific socio-political division across the country and challenges to the political leadership, Health Minister Jeremy Hunt has been busy with a secret plan to force through changes to local NHS services to cut costs. Sustainability and transformation plans splits England into 44 areasContinue reading “Harrow can’t escape ongoing NHS crisis”

The council works much better when the opposition works as a critical friend, assisting the administration whenever possible and suggesting healthy alternatives whenever necessary. In Harrow, the performance of the opposition Tory group,  enjoying over £250,000 public money in allowances per year, is very weak under Cllr Hall’s leadership, leading to inadequate challenge regarding suchContinue reading “Opposition leader Cllr Hall needs to step down”

As Harrow East MP Bob Blackman has swiftly changed his direction from opposing Theresa May’s position to ‘remain’ in EU, to backing her, now prime minister, would he be able to remind Mrs May about the deprivation in Harrow, a place she visited to unsuccessfully uplift Tory profile at the elections. London poverty and theContinue reading “Could Harrow gain from recent socio-political changes?”

London March for Europe on 2 July 2016 (click here to watch the video) packed the Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Parliament Square and adjoining streets – estimated over 50,000 people at a very short notice – giving clear messages: Lies in the EU referendum campaign discredit the referendum outcome We must not let right-wing narrow nationalismContinue reading “EU vote – what next?”

Remain 54.6% 64042 votes      Leave 45.4% 53183 votes Good that Harrow reacted moderately to the right-wing politics of hate/ fear/ and scaremongering. However, Harrow has to face the adverse impact of ‘leave’ like more expensive goods and holidays because of a low pound not seen since 1985. Describing the economic climate, Dennis de Jong, managingContinue reading “Harrow voted remain”

Quite understandable why the Harrow council opposition is almost in hibernation – Cllr Hall, who now leads a highly divided group as 42.31% members of her group did not vote for her at the recent leadership election and the group researcher leaving, is under police investigation – but odd that Harrow council is too quietContinue reading “All very quiet at the council!”

The Early Years Strategy report to the Harrow cabinet points out that the most disadvantaged in the borough are more likely not to attend early years provision, due to the high rates of childcare costs – the most commonly used types of registered childcare are day nurseries. This disparity is concerning considering that Harrow’s SpecialContinue reading “Equality gaps in Harrow Childcare”