The following is a guest post by Tower Hamlets deputy mayor Cllr Oliur Rahman about his trip to Greece last month. He went with fellow Tower Hamlets First councillors Shahed Ali, Mahbub Alam, Shafiqul Haque, and various trade union activists. I wrote about it at the time here. The verdict in the Lutfur Rahman trial is expected next week, according to my latest information. Should that judgment go against Lutfur, Oli could be acting mayor for a short period. Clearly there are discussions even among Lutfur’s Tower Hamlets First party about who might stand in any mayoral by election in the event of a ‘guilty’ verdict. They’re only human after all.
Deputy mayor Oli Rahman is wearing the hat
On arrival our delegation – comprising of councillors, trade unionists and community activists – was taken into the Greek Parliament to meet with representatives of the International Aid Department. This was timely. The government was in the news for sticking to their pre-election commitment that they would not slash their international aid budget and ignoring demands from EU finance bureaucrats. It was refreshing to come across politicians who don’t actually pay lip service to humanitarianism, but put their words into practice.
The message from the Syriza representatives was loud and clear: for the peoples of Europe to defeat austerity we need a strong European-wide anti-austerity movement. This message was repeated in our meetings with activists in our visits to two social centres – these are citizen-run health clinics, food centres and legal aid hubs which have emerged to fill the gaps left by austerity.
The activists in the centre were at pains to emphasise that the aims of the centres is not about charity and just about helping people in desperate need. They are also about empowering citizens so that they can exercise power to shape and influence the political decisions affecting their lives. I was really impressed by the social centres and the representative from the Unite community centre on Cable Street agreed to look into twinning their centre with one in Athens.
As we travelled around Athens it had the appearance that all is well. The cafes were full, there seemed to be a buzz in the shopping malls. You see people sleeping in the streets but you do so in London too. However underneath the surface the figures tell a level of crisis much more severe than here. It is estimated that half the population are below the poverty line. Household incomes have fallen by a third since austerity hit. Many of those queuing at food banks belonged to the upper middle classes not so long ago.
Politicians with reactionary politics and simplistic solutions have done well in response to the crisis, and none more so that Golden Dawn, an openly neo-Nazi party that has scored up to 15 per cent in the opinions polls and whose members have been complicit in racist assaults and murder. They have made their gains on the back of trying to scapegoating migrants.
The reality of the impact of racism was brought home to us in a meeting we had with the anti-racist and anti-fascist organisation KEERFA which gathered together African, Pakistani and Bangladeshi members of migrant rights organisations. Their plight had been highlighted recently over the case of 35 illegal strawberry pickers who were shot at by their farm guards for asking for pay that was five months overdue.
Hearing that we were in town we received a call on the eve of our departure from Athens from Zoi Konstantopoulo, the most senior woman in Greek politics, a human rights lawyer who sued Britain over the Iraq War, and Syriza’s President of Parliament asking us to come see her. We were honoured to meet her and were all impressed by her easy, relaxed style – she insisted we address her by her first name – and her lack of the airs and graces.
Zoi talked about how five years of austerity had strangled the Greek economy, the importance of building an international solidarity movement and the new government’s commitment to tackling racism. The Greek parliament has already made commitments to improving rights and Zoi affirmed the government’s commitment to redress this issue.
I know I am speaking for everyone on our delegation in writing that our trip to Greece was a really positive experience. It demonstrated the determination of the new Greek government to challenge the austerity agenda wreaking havoc in the EU.
I am came back from my trip more committed to the idea of a European Union, but one that is a Europe committed to the interests of all its citizens.
Trial by Jeory 
Can we have some information on who paid for the jolly up?
That’s MY question too !
LBTH : Greece Visit April 2015
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/lbth_greece_visit_april_2015/
To Tower Hamlets Borough Council,
(1) How many people went to Greece this year on behalf of the LBTH ?
(2) Of these how many were elected officials, how many were council staff and how many were neither elected personnel nor council staff ?
(3) What is the itemised listing of ALL the costs including transport to and from the UK airport, airline flights, transport in Greece, accommodation in Greece, food and drink in Greece, other expenses in Greece and in the UK ?
(4) Was the airline flight from the UK to Greece, and vice versa, direct (non-stop) in both directions ?
(5) Who, on behalf of the LBTH, authorised the trip and when ?
(6) What advantage(s) did the Greece trip provide that will improve the lives of the LBTH residents, the financial health of LBTH businesses and the functioning of the council ? Please be as specific as possible.
(7) Whom in Greece invited the Tower Hamlet visitors ?
(8) What was the overall length of the Greece trip ?
(9) Which tourist sights did the Tower Hamlets visitors see ?
Curious Cat.
3 down from Marc.
You will probably get an answer such as follows:
“1) No one has been sent to Greece on behalf of LBTH
2) – 9) As a result of 1), nothing to do with us”
that is if, of course, LBTH deign to provide you with an answer. Technically the In Betweeners and assorted Trots have gone at the invitation of the Greek Government and so nothing to do with the council.
=> The Acting Sead of Haid Pervice
Surely your title is spelt: “Merc” that rhymes with “berk”.
Just waiting for the JUDGEMENT to appear. I’m going to request a copy from the judge, full version, executive summary, report to the High Court etc.
Any bets anyone ?
4 down from Marc.
What a crock! No mention of how this was funded. Please go on record stating that this was entirely self funded, and you did not accept any donations or hospitality towards the cost of your Bangladeshi Boys Beano to the sun!
Also, why was this not a cross party multicultural visit?
The fact is, this was clearly aimed to curry favour with the Bangladeshi community here, and in Greece.
Please don’t take us for fools, you are as transparent as the day is long. Your backtracking, and thinly veiled propaganda insults even your own intelligence.
You, and your elected colleagues should hang your heads in shame by going on such a frivolous jolly, and trying to twist your rotten motives. Though, it’s pretty much true to form for your filthy party!
Fingers crossed the judge comes to the right conclusion and justice is served next week!
2 down from Marc
And a couple of other things….
Will you be listing your holiday on you councillors time sheet as ‘official council business’? Yeah right!
Also, compliments on your ghost writer. If only you were as eloquent at council meetings!
3 down from Marc.
Look up ‘eloquent’, it’s in the dictionary, near ‘election fraud ‘!
2 down from Marc.
Was this written by one of the mayors “advisors”. Perhaps the whole of LBTH communications department have been working day and night on this article – as the introduction of the 20MPH speed limit has not been publicised.
No way did the deputy mayor write this!
Yes Snowman.
Why do the Council Tax payers employ Spin Doctors to create this insincerely second-hand propaganda waffle ?
Curious Cat.
Style is all and I detect a far left input into this with just enough mistakes put in deliberately to make it appear as if it had been written by who is supposed to have written it.
What interests me is who initiated the whole thing. Where and how did the idea originate and who developed it? I doubt very much if we are going to get an answer from the cat in the hat!
This Cat is certainly keen to get some answers.
Marc Francis against. Twice.
@Oli, bro, please clearly answer the finance part. See the comments of Curious Cat above for what this forum is after.
Marc by three.
Life seems to be one big ‘jolly’ for these ‘elected’ peacocks, you only have to look at the Selfie King’s facebook page for evidence of that. Him and his wife seem to be the Beckhams of Shadwell these days!
More like Wayne and Waynetta!
And four.
I wonder whether Eric Pickles would now be receptive to the idea of reintroducing the surcharge of councillors for unlawful expenditure.
Wasn’t it abolished by Labour ?
Its return is desperately needed otherwise frivolous wasting of Council Tax payers cash will continue growing uncontrolled.
Whoops, please excuse me whilst I book my executive round-the-world holiday as a LBTH Goodwill Ambassador.
That’s Goodwill towards me, not towards anyone else – and its a coincidence Goodwill rhymes with Pig Swill
Time to make a film: Tower Hamlets – The Nightmare : Part 25
Keen to read next week’s judgement.
CC.
I wonder also whether the Councillors also discussed the phenomenon in Greece where the government has consistently
1) borrowed beyond its means and
2) failed to collect taxes by some £20 billion p.a.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/greeces-fundamental-problem-lack-of-income-hasnt-changed-10082649.html
I’d be more impressed by Councillors who went to a country which knew how best to capitalise on its physical and human asset base, provided more jobs and increased its revenue tax base.
Oh NO. That is scheduled for the next trip.
Given Shahed Ali;s tax arrangements no doubt he was very interested in this aspect.
A friend of mine spent several seasons working on a Greek island in the seventies. The only people who paid tax were those in government employ and they did a few hours a day at that then went off to their real jobs which were, of course, tax free. Not paying tax was a source of pride.
Having just started to re-read Oli (and his ghost writor’s) diatribe, the comments in the opening paragraph really did make my almost choke with laughter – about people feing alienated and cynical with politicians.
Well that covers the majority of the Lbth electorate. No wonder they had to fly to Greece to get some respect and appear credible.
I knew this bunch were hypocrites, but come on….,,
………. Tower Hamlets mafia are always full of surprises.
Its a sort of reverse-Robin Hood. Robbing the poor to reward the rich.
CC.
Someone get the FoI on this lot!!!
I see Marc Francis has been busy downloading thumbs. I’m surprised he wasn’t on the trip!
I can suggest where he sticks his thumbs! I each for Mayor and Heir Rahmans!
Imsha’la!
Looks like he already does, with his cosey relationship. We know where Marc Francis keeps his tongue nice and warm and moist!
The Daily Mail is trying to sidetrack us with an even more interesting story about Shiraj Haque
“Multi-millionaire property tycoon lives in £135-a-week council house (and you also subsidised the home of a wealthy councillor)”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2023416/It-beggars-belief-Multi-millionaire-owns-massive-property-empire-chain-restaurants-lives-135-week-COUNCIL-HOUSE.html
I can’t see how a story from nearly four years ago is being used to side track us. In any case the property empire being referred to is in a somewhat tattered state at the moment. Haque has had to go into partnership with a couple of Turks in his flagship Clifton at 1 Whitechapel Rd, the last time anyone looked the restaurant on the Isle of Dogs was ” closed for refurbishment”, Shampan, his other restaurant in Brick Lane is for sale and he has got rid of his interest in the property including and above the MacDonalds on Commercial Rd E1.
In case anyone doesn’t know running an Indian restaurant in Brick Lane in particular is a license to lose money. The whole area in terms of curry houses is dying on its feet and the same applies to the industry nationally. Has anyone got any news on this year’s Mela?
I take it you didn’t read the next tweet then?
The one beginning “Whoops…..”
Dave – do you know the names of Haque’s Turkish partners?
=> Oldflow
What is the postcode of the business or the name of the partnership or limited company ? May be able to do a look-up.
CC.
Whoops! Missed the date on that one – but I wonder what the current situation is……
With his little bow tie Oli Rahman is looking more like Mr. Pee-Wee than a future local authority Mayor.
Mr Peewee is what his girlfriends call him!
The info is here http://www.companycheck.co.uk/director/908597549/Mr Shiraj-Mahammed-Haque
The details of the new company can be found at http://www.companycheck.co.uk/company/09396423/Efes-Brick-Lane-Limited/directors-secretaries
Efes Brick Lane is the name of the company and presumably the new restaurant. A check of the two new directors shows a background of folded companies all in the catering industry. These links should take you straight through to the details if not http://www.companycheck.co.uk and put in the relevant numbers for company and director. This site is free at this point and is a mine of info.
Where DID he get that hat? Bradford West?
Look at http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/article-3045176/Mayoral-hopeful-wins-four-fight-against-wife-beater-legal-fight-against-London-newspaper-eventually-admitted-no-truth-allegation.html
This is from today’s Mail On Sunday. It should receive wide publicity and the original criminal charges against Shah Yusuf should now be re-instated. They were dropped by the CPS but we know how useless they are
Passionate Dave gave us URL
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/article-3045176/Mayoral-hopeful-wins-four-fight-against-wife-beater-legal-fight-against-London-newspaper-eventually-admitted-no-truth-allegation.html
but
Sorry…
We can’t find the page:
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/article-3045176/Mayoral-hopeful-wins-four-fight-against-wife-beater-legal-fight-against-London-newspaper-eventually-admitted-no-truth-allegation.html
The file could not be found for a number of reasons such as the file being moved or deleted. Please check your spelling and if you still can’t get to the right page try either using the Search Box below or heading to the homepage for a look around.
If you still have problems, try emailing feedback@dailyrecord.co.uk and we’ll do what we can to help you. Click here to get back to where you came from.
CC.
This link works
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3045176/
To everyone,
In most (but not all) newspaper URLs, you can delete all the crap after the number
So instead of
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3045176/Mayoral-hopeful-wins-four-year-wife-beater-legal-fight-against-London-newspaper-eventually-admitted-no-truth-allegation.html
you can have
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3045176/
You know which one I prefer 🙂
Curious Cat.
Another source is:
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/london-newspaper-editor-pays-damages-former-mayoral-candidate-over-wife-beater-advert
2010 background report
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/a-right-mayoral-mess-in-tower-hamlets-6527581.html
Have asked Abbas’s solicitor for a press statement.
CC.
Thanks CC. I’m not that computer literate. In relation to Mr Haque and the two Turkish gentlemen I was incorrect in that their businesses were solely in the catering sector. They seem, like The Curry King, to have dabbled in property with companies being stated and folded.
If I were he I would watch my step. Businessmen from their end of the Med have some unorthodox business methods.
Dave,
Abbas’s 2010 election defeat could be attributed to the smear leaflet and that is ALSO a criminal offence (false statement(s) of fact of an election candidate).
Time for Messrs Plod to start enforcing the UK’s pitiful election laws, me thinks.
Wakey wakey Hogan-Howe. Wake-up from your peaceful snoring slumbers, swoop your red carpet slippers for black police boots and do some real “community” policing in London’s slimiest borough. All right Bernie ?
Curious Cat.
CPS = Can’t Prosecute Service or CPS = Criminal’s Protection Service?
Hogan Howe and the CPS are too concerned with political correctness to do anything about the obvious corruption that is staring them in the face.
Alas, it is not only in the Met that very senior officers, faced with oral accusations of serious crimes and written allegations too, simply ignore the all claims of crime.
Is it anything to do with the Police Boast that crime is going down (going down because the police won’t investigate it) ?
Robert Peel would shudder in his grave if he knew.
Top management is often proving inadequate to the extent some wonder if they really are genuine cops.
I am keen to know what is going to happen in the Abbas case. It ought to go before the English High Court and to the Council of Europe’s assembly because of the failings of the English electoral system (including RPA 1983 etc.)
This week we have, perhaps, Richard Mawrey’s indictment (in his own words: That would embarrass a Banana Republic). Any predictions ?
Curious Cat.
In light of Ahad Miah’s anti Semite nazi Facebook postings, I thought I’d re-read the statement of pure tripe allegedly written by our lovely learned Duputh Dipstick, and have a little chuckle at the hypocrisy and shear stupidity of this shower of fools.