Milton Keynes Labour Party

The Great Get Together is inspired by Jo Cox, who was killed on 16 June 2016. We believe there is a groundswell of people who reject divisive politics and simply want to bring our communities together and celebrate all that unites us. This Saturday 23^rd of June will see an event take place at Willen Lake from 1pm.

Milton Keynes Labour Party Chair John Orr said:

“I hope to see many people from across our communities coming together on Saturday. There is no charge, just bring along your own picnic. While we as the local Labour Party are hosting the event, it is completely outside of party politics and I want to emphasise that everyone is welcome.”

Labour Parliamentary Candidates for Milton Keynes North and South echoed John’s sentiments. Charlynne Pullen who has helped organise Saturday’s event noted, “It is important to come together to honour Jo’s legacy. As Jo said in her maiden speech, we have far more in common than that which divides us”.

Hannah O’Neill added, “Bringing people together makes communities stronger and happier. We take inspiration from Jo’s life to reject division and hate. I hope to see colleagues from other parties as well as those who don’t have any political affiliation.”

The event will take place on the Top Triangle Lawn (Willen Lake South) from 1pm onwards. All welcome. The initiative follows on from a similar event held last year which was attended by over 100 people from across Milton Keynes.

For more information see the event listing here and the Great Get Together national site here.

Incoming Chair, John Orr, thanks outgoing officers, representatives and coordinators for their efforts. Labour members gather at AGM to select team for 2018/19.

New Milton Keynes Labour Party Chair John Orr said:

“I‘d like to offer sincere thanks and gratitude to outgoing Chair, Paul Day, for all his hard work for the Party over the last few years. Paul has guided the Party through exciting times as our membership tripled and as we added 20,000 Labour votes in the snap 2017 General Election. Paul’s dedication and commitment has been second to none.”

John, who had previously been Vice-Chair Membership, praised all members who depart from the Executive Committee:

“We’ve been lucky to have had such an exceptional range of talents and contributions across the Party this year. Everyone has played their part including all of our Officers. Rachel Pallett has done an outstanding job leading our campaigns work. Veronica Belcher has kept our finances on a sound footing as Treasurer. I’m thrilled outgoing women’s officer Shammi Akter is now one of our newly elected Councillors and I thank Margaret Burke for her dedicated input as Secretary.”

The new Executive Committee are scheduled to meet for the first time on June 21^st. Newly elected officers include Councillor for Stony Stratford, Jennifer Marklew, who takes on the role of Vice-Chair Membership. Tom Welch, elected as Secretary, and Parker Pemberton elected as Women’s Officer. Katelyn Burns was elected as treasurer and James Barrett takes on the role of Vice-Chair Campaigns.

Paramount for the new committee will be the current by-election in Bletchley East, the 2019 council elections where Labour will be looking to make gains across the city, and preparation for the next General Election.

See the full team here:

www.mklabour.org.uk/local_team

Long standing councillor Gladstone McKenzie was given a rapturous reception by the Labour members who gathered at its Annual General Meeting on Saturday 16 June.

Gladstone McKenzie was the only person to receive the Merit award for his dedicated services over many years to the local community, he continues to serve, and to the wider Labour and trade union movement.

Bletchley councillor Nigel Long, Cabinet member for Housing and Regeneration said,

“I can think of no other person in my 31 years as a councillor who deserves the merit award more, and there have been a lot out outstanding councillors. But everyone knows Gladstone, he is thoroughly decent and a team player par excellence.”    

Bletchley Parish Council chair Cllr Veronica Belcher added, “I have known Gladstone for many years and he has a record of community work and helping people second to none. He also steered the West Bletchley parish council through its early years, helping it become the success it is in working for the residents of West Bletchley.”

Cllr Long concluded, “I now want to see Gladstone become an Alderman. I think he is a great example of Milton Keynes councillors at their best.”