Harriet spoke of Mike’s years of work for Labour, and how he had raised the Labour majority from a mere 402 when first unexpectedly elected in this former Tory stronghold in 1992 to more than 11,000 today.

Mike is an avid West Ham supporter and was presented with a signed and framed shirt. The room was decorated in claret and blue.

This year we managed to achieve having a Labour Mayor and Deputy, despite the Tory/Lib Dem coalition running the Council.  Speaking as Mayor, Cllr. Muhammed Javed spoke of Mike’s dedication to the community.

In his message of thanks Mike spoke of the problems now being faced by Ilford people and the need to unite to work and defeat the Tories and LibDems to form a new Labour Government in 2015.

Thanks are due to the Musicians Union, the staff at the Ilford Golf Club and everyone who worked to make the event a success.

Our photo’s show Mike receiving his shirt from Harriet and Cllr. Dev Sharma. Harriet and Mike talking to GMB Stewards at their table, Mike with his mother and Harriet Harman and the Mayoress (top), and Mike and Harriet with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor Cllrs.Muhammad Javed and Elaine Norman.

Last week Redbridge Young Labour, the active youth wing of the Redbridge Labour Party elected a strong new committee from across Redbridge.

The AGM, held in Ilford South, saw officer positions contested with inspiring speeches from candidates who discussed the issues affecting them; ranging from the lack of leisure facilities, crime and safety to support for victims of domestic violence.

Commenting on the AGM, John Howard the Chairman of Redbridge Young Labour said:” I am pleased to see almost double the number of members attend our AGM than we had last year.”

He went on to say: “It’s great to see such enthusiasm from young people to make positive change in their communities through the Labour Party. Our AGM has attracted many new faces this year from a diverse background all with some excellent new ideas.”

Commenting on the results, Varinder Singh, the Youth Officer for Ilford South Constituency Labour Party said: “I am really excited about the year ahead. We’ve got some vibrant new faces on board who have some excellent ideas to shape the next Labour Party manifesto.”

He further added: “The contribution of Redbridge Young Labour is recognised across the party and already we have moved motions in support of the upcoming National Union of Students (NUS) demonstration and in support of International Students at London Metropolitan University.”

Follow Redbridge Young Labour at: www.twitter.com/redbridgeRYL

The London elections may be over but Labour Party members are still out campaigning.  This month the focus is on Valentines Ward.  Councillors and local members will be out speaking to residents and delivering the latest newsletter.

Click here to see the newsletter on line.

If you have an issue you want to raise with your local councillors, wherever you live in Ilford South, find their contact details here.

If you live in Valentines Ward and want to get more involved, you could register as a Party Supporter for free. This would mean you will be kept informed of all forthcoming Party events. If introduced by an existing member you could join the Labour Party for £15 for the first year. Ring 020 8911 0899 or email contact@ilfordouthlabour.org.uk if you want more information.

The photographs show Party members running a stall at the successful Redbridge Green Fair, held at the beginning of the month in Valentines Park.

The proposals include the introduction of a Europe-wide youth guarantee, ensuring that every young person in Europe is offered a job, further education or work-focused training at the latest four months after leaving education or becoming unemployed.

The proposals also call for a European framework regulation in internships to be implemented, protecting young people from exploitation.

John Howard, Chair of Redbridge Young Labour said:-

‘Despite the coalition governments promises, the youth locally and nationally are facing ever increasing barriers to education, training and professional development’

He further added ‘ By scrapping the Education Maintenance Allowance, increasing university tuition fees and failing to invest in the economy in order to create new jobs has inevitably contributed to high levels of youth unemployment’

Varinder Singh Youth Officer of the Ilford South Constituency Labour Party agreed stating that :-

‘Redbridge Council needs to do more to ensure that youth services are accessible and that more training opportunities are created’

The Redbridge Labour Parties have an active youth wing which meets regularly and organises social events. Some of their members are shown here canvassing with Labour’s GLA Candidate Mandy Richards during the recent elections. If you are under 26 and want to know more contact:-

John Howard 07951 242488 Or Varinder Singh 07912 622395

This fantastic result was due to the extremely hard work of Mandy and Labour Party members in the constituency since she was selected as the candidate in 2010. There was a disappointing turnout on the day, down by more than 8% from 2008. Yet, in Havering & Redbridge, Labour achieved an astonishing increase of 39%, or nearly 14,000 votes.

By comparison, the Tories’ vote fell by 32%, losing 25,000 votes.

The Liberal Democrat vote was down by a devastating 48% to just 6,453 votes as they trailed in 5th behind UKIP and the London Residents Association. With less than 5% of the vote they have lost their deposit.

The elections for the GLA have left the Labour Party across London with 12 seats, Conservatives 9, Green Party 2 and Liberal Democrats 2. Boris Johnson was re-elected as London Mayor, but only after a much closer run race with Labour’s Ken Livingstone than anyone had been predicting.

May 3rd also saw Labour making huge gains in Council seats all over England, Scotland and Wales, with poor results for both the national coalition government parties.

Voters are making it clear to the Tory/Lib Dem parties that the austerity measures are hurting, but they’re not working. The recent budget gives tax breaks to the wealthiest but raises taxes for millions of families, proving the lie in the government’s “we’re all in it together” message.