While the Labour Party is struggling and face atrocious decline in vote share under its unpopular ‘new leadership’, the Peace and Justice Project, led by Jeremy Corbyn and actively supported by the socialists, including from Harrow, has  grown, taking   on   new   projects, developing new ideas, and building new coalitions of campaigners, despite the impact of the pandemic and lockdown on organising and activism.
“From opposing Boris Johnson’s protest ban, to standing in solidarity with the people of Palestine, to working with food banks in Liverpool and London clothes banks Nottingham, to hosting ten thousand people at a global conference led by refugees; we’ve taken on the powerful and organised for a better world” reports the recently published Biannual Report of the project.
The  Peace  and  Justice  Project, founded by Jeremy Corbyn, is  an organisation with deep ties to the  labour  movement  in  the  UK  and overseas as well as social movements and progressive   activists.  It has a potential of becoming a political party like the Co-operative Party that has an electoral agreement with Labour Party since 1927.
“The peace and justice project is a very timely initiative. The world is in a parlous state and COVID19 has cast stark new light on the inequality and injustice surrounding us” Harrow councillor Pamela Fitzpatrick, a leading founder of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour Councillors, said after the launch of the nationwide project.
“Jeremy Corbyn is a politician who is genuinely altruistic and has been a powerful campaigner for peace and justice for decades. I very much welcome this exciting initiative” she added.
Achievements of the project include:

• Seeing 10,000 in attendance at their global refugee voices conference, held in partnership with the ITF.
• Supporting Palestine demonstrations which mobilised up to 200,000 people and increased international pressure on the Israeli government.
• Gained thousands of signatures on their vaccine internationalism petition and brought together leading figures in health campaigning across the world at their roundtable on the issue.

The movement is working on the projects from improving independent media   infrastructure to researching the impacts of Britain’s new Defence Review, to mobilising people to support food banks.

Harrow East parliamentary candidate (Lab) last election and a dedicated socialist, Harrow Councillor Pamela Fitzpatrick  is one of the six socialist women elected to the Labour’s new National Women’s Committee.
Delighted Ms Fitzpatrick said, “I am hoping the party has some big ideas to deal with the inequality and injustice that women face today”.
Each year National Annual Women’s Conference brings together hundreds of Labour women, politicians, stakeholders and activists from across the country.
The conference enables Labour women members to better participate in policy-making and offers the opportunity to share ideas with delegates from across the UK.
The National Annual Women’s Conference 2021 (26 – 27 June), is online because of the Covid-19. There was no need to be a delegate to be part of this historic first online Conference – it was possible to apply to be a visitor (tickets started at £5) for this year’s National Annual Women’s Conference.
Ms Fitzpatrick secured 162,560 votes.
This socialist win through public vote (affiliate delegates) is yet another setback for the Labour leadership.  Keir Starmer was head-hunted to bring unity to the Labour Party but far from this, the party is now more divided in terms of left, right, centralist and socialist.
A recent tweet from Ms Fitzpatrick helps to understand why things are as they are: “The problem with letting Tories and other non-socialists into Labour is that it moves our party ever more to the right. These are the entryists into our party. They climb into positions of power feigning socialist credentials then set about expelling all the real socialists” – the tweet appeared soon after Tory John Bercow joined Labour.

Looks the Labour Party leader Starmer has not only failed in uniting the party but also in effectively dealing with the racism in the party. This is bad enough, but worst is the right-wing elements now using divisive tactics for political gain.
‘We’re haemorrhaging votes among Muslim voters,’ one senior Labour official tells me, ‘and the reason for that is what Keir has been doing on antisemitism. Nobody really wants to talk about it, but that’s the main factor. He challenged Corbyn on it, and there’s been a backlash among certain sections of the community.’ writes Dan Hodges for the Mail On Sunday regarding the forthcoming  Batley and Spen by-election.
“This is a patently vile, Islamophobic briefing by a ‘senior Labour official’ to the Daily Mail. This racism needs to be challenged urgently and publicly by the Labour leadership & the party as a whole. There can be no hiding behind the anonymity of the source and briefing” Labour Muslim Network tweeted.
Most concerning that desperate Labour officials are using a divisive approach by playing ‘antisemitism’ card in anticipation of a likely defeat at this by-election.
Batley and Spen by-election is not about Jews or Muslims or a block-vote, but the outcome is likely to reflect the poor performance by the Labour Party under Starmer as confirmed by successive defeats at the recent elections.
The defeat by the Conservatives in Hartlepool earlier this month was followed by Chesham and Amersham defeat, one of the worst by-election results in the Labour history, with 622 votes.
Before this, Labour lost control of eight councils and more than 300 seats in the Local Elections, including County Durham, which had been under Labour control for more than 100 years.
Considering that Harrow has significant Jewish and Muslim population and had Labour specific anti-Semitism and Islamophobia headlines, it would be most appropriate for Harrow Labour (in/outside civic centre) as well as the Labour MP to distance from the racist elements in the Labour Party and their ‘vile’ statement, condemning that such undesirable tactics have serious implications for the communal harmony.

Harrow council’s call-in scrutiny sub-committee resolved (14 June) that the Harrow Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) can be implemented but observed significant inadequacies.
The sub-committee considered the challenge, signed by 302 residents, to the ill-thought and overly forceful PSPO decision.
The PSPO, promoted by the portfolio-holder and gone through the cabinet stage (27 May), forbids the activities like Amplification of music and voice; Placing of tables, chairs, stands and other fixings / furniture on the street and Distribution of leaflets.
Failure to comply with a PSPO is an offence and can lead to a summary conviction and fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.  All enforcement officers as well as police are authorised to take action under it (there is no publicity about the role, responsibilities and powers of the Harrow council Environmental Enforcement Officer –  however, we managed to find some useful information about them).
The Call-In sub-committee found that clarification is required in terms of expectations by virtue of existing legislation (religious and political groups, charities) and that this needs to be made clear in any publicity. Also, that any leaflet make it clear how the council will determine applications/requests for permission. The portfolio holder should also recognise that the order will be subject to review.
The portfolio holder Cllr Assad, present at the meeting, did not do well and attracted concerning comments.
“She did very badly and failed to address the issues raised with her.  In fact, she made excuses that she is new in the job and that this is not ‘her’ report.  Then why didn’t she ‘pull’ it.  Very unsatisfactory. Hopeless really.” said a resident who watched the meeting.
Nadeem Hussain who presented the Call-In notice later said “PSPOs can be an effective resource to counter unreasonable and persistent behaviour that adversely affects the quality of life for residents in Harrow.
“However,  there are strong concerns about parts of this PSPO. I was disappointed with lack of answers received from the Portfolio Holder to specific questions and points I raised at the call-in regarding protected characteristics of groups under the Equality Act 2010, clarity of language, transparency, proactively contacting and identifying those who are most likely to be affected, consideration of adequacy of litter bins in the town centre”.
“I am pleased that the Sub-Committee did make some recommendations to the Portfolio Holder but I felt they did not go far enough” Mr Hussain added.

The Call-in notice, challenging the ill-thought and overly forceful Harrow Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) decision, signed by 302 residents, has been sent to the Harrow council today (3 June).
The PSPO, promoted by a newly appointed inexperienced portfolio-holder and gone through the cabinet stage (27 May), forbids the activities like Amplification of music and voice; Placing of tables, chairs, stands and other fixings / furniture on the street and Distribution of leaflets.
Failure to comply with a PSPO is an offence and can lead to a summary conviction and fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.  All enforcement officers as well as police are authorised to take action under it.
Historically and without any negative impact, the Town Centre has been used by the political parties and civic liberty groups for setting a table/stand for literature/canvassing, or distributing leaflets and amplifying canvassing voices.

On 1stFebruary 2021, the Borough Wide Public Spaces Protection Order was renewed which included controls around alcohol consumption in public places as well as urinating, defecating and spitting.
But now the Harrow Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), gone through the cabinet stage (27 May), includes Amplification of music and voice; Financial Agreements (people trying to get visitors to sign up to them); Placing of tables, chairs, stands and other fixings / furniture on the street; Feeding of birds and vermin; Distribution of leaflets; Illegal street trading  and Begging.
The newly appointed portfolio holder grabbed the publicity opportunity and tweeted:
Failure to comply with a PSPO is an offence and can lead to a summary conviction and fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.  All enforcement officers as well as police are authorised to take action under it. The PSPO will be in place for a maximum 3 years as per the law, but will be reviewed to ensure it is effective in its approach in tackling issues that affect businesses and the public.
While many aspects of PSPO are good, but some are seen inappropriate and a public Call-in of the order is eminent under the council procedures.
The argument is that the Order does not strike the proper balance between the rights of businesses and residents and the basic right of civil protest and campaigning.
Historically and without any negative impact, the Town Centre has been used by the political parties and civic liberty groups for setting a table for literature/canvassing, or distributing leaflets and amplifying canvassing voices.
Another enjoyable feature of the Town Centre has been the street musicians who use non-acoustic instruments – most are of non-British origin.
We support the Call for the Harrow council to  re-evaluate the Order in order to better protect fundamental human rights.

One significant but less well publicised aspect of the Harrow Recreation Ground in Harrow is a row of Mayoral Oaks planted by thirteen past Harrow mayors (most now passed away) (slide-show below) (to watch slide-show, click play button below – for full screen, click the square button at bottom right) : With the time, trees are grown well but some metal plaques and wooden posts are missing, deteriorated or decaying and need attentions, most probably require replacements. The restoration of this valuable heritage is urgently need!

Marilyn Ashton, a Harrow councillor, used newspaper space (click the box above and scroll down to ‘comments’) and commented being unhappy with the response to her cabinet question to the newly appointed councillor Peymana Assad for community cohesion, crime & enforcement.
“It is appreciated that days after the recent escalation of anti-Semitic incidents in the U.K., the Communications Department issued a statement to Community Leaders on Cllr Assad’s behalf on this subject. Will Cllr. Assad outline her strategy for supporting and showing solidarity with the Jewish community in Harrow?” – the question Cllr Ashton asked.
Cllr Aston pointed out that Jewish people are afraid to display their faith overtly following a rise of antisemitic incidents.
Cllr Assad assured “We need to show solidarity with the Jewish community to make sure they know we stand shoulder to shoulder with them”.
The Harrow opposition Tory group has previously questioned the suitability of some Labour appointments to the cabinet.
The Harrow Monitoring Group has been critical of and exposes any divisive elements in the public life as this seriously hinders achieving ‘community cohesion’!

“Judging by the extent of complaints and findings of misconduct by the party itself that relate to anti-Muslim words and conduct, anti-Muslim sentiment remains a problem within the party” says the review by Professor Swaran Singh, a former equality and human rights commissioner, published today.
The review also found that the Tories complaints system is “in need of overhaul” due to its “under-resourced and inadequately trained” complaints team, a “weak” data collection system, and “poor” communication between officials, complainants and respondents.
Two-thirds of all incidents reported to the complaints team at the Tories’ headquarters related to allegations of anti-Muslim attitudes .
Previously, LBC obtained dossier showing 10 Tory councillors sharing Islamophobic comments, including Harrow councillor Anjana Patel, for example.
Regarding the Harrow Tories, there have been at least three high profile headlines:
Harrow East MP Bob Blackman accused of Islamophobia after posting anti-Muslim article on Facebook 
Harrow councillor Anjana Patel’s tweet included in Islamophobia dossier 
Online petition against Cllr Kamaljit Chana over Islamophobia 
In the case of Cllr Chana, Harrow Tory group on the council, led by Cllr Osborn, was reassuring and did take firm action, suspending him from the group for six month but the national Tory party seems to have done nothing about the complaints against Cllr Chana.

Despite Labour being badly punished nationally because of the Labour revolt against its perceived right-wing leadership, Brent and Harrow GLA seat is held by Labour.
As expected, Brent councillor and a council cabinet portfolio holder Krupesh Hirani (photo) has won the race mainly because of the nature of the seat and that Tory opponent karate champion Molly Irene Samuel-Leport seemingly lost the will to win months ago:  Krupesh Hirani 77782 and Molly Irene Samuel—Leport (Con) 56560 votes.
Historically personal votes have significantly influenced election outcomes in the Harrow East constituency and Brent and Harrow GLA seat.
Navin Shah defeated the then siting B&H GLA member Bob Blackman in 2008 despite the national trend against Labour because of Blair warmongering and then he came close to defeat the sitting Harrow East MP Blackman in the 2017 general election despite being given only few weeks to canvass the constituency with the help of his friends and family.
Delighted Cllr Hirani is a university graduate in politics and has good experience in the political sector where he held a number of posts.
During the Operation Black Vote Shadowing Scheme Mr Hirani was mentored by David Lammy MP. He seems to have good grip on a variety of socio-political matters, relevant to a wider society.
Though Cllr Hirani is seen more at the temple activities but he says he believes in representing all. He informs that he has spent his working life with organisations that support disabled people.
Cllr Hirani is proud of the local area and said: “I have been educated through the Brent state school system and am passionate about the area”.