Category: Participation

1924-2024 One hundred years since Labour first formed governments – where next for the working class?

Writing for The People’s Assembly: The People’s Assembly is about ordinary people coming together en masse and was founded specifically to challenge the politics of austerity, cuts, and the reduction of the state.  There are particular groups in our society affected hardest by austerity – namely young people, the unemployed, low-paid workers, the disabled and … Continue reading 1924-2024 One hundred years since Labour first formed governments – where next for the working class? →

Anya Cook in conversation with Independent Candidate for North East Mayor, Jamie Driscoll

Jamie Driscoll said: ‘’When you’re electing a mayor, you are not electing a representative member of a team. You are electing the actual person who is going to be in charge and going to manage a £6.1 billion budget for the region - and this is why experience and independence really matters”. Anya Cook in … Continue reading Anya Cook in conversation with Independent Candidate for North East Mayor, Jamie Driscoll →

Class metamorphosis in Starmer’s Labour – 3 October 2023

As more of us find ourselves locked out or expelled by Labour, a simple explanation of the leadership's motivation lies with their personal social aspirations, writes ANYA COOK IT’S a fair cop! I have been caught — in a “prohibited act.” My Labour Party membership days have been numbered since appealing last summer’s investigation into … Continue reading Class metamorphosis in Starmer’s Labour – 3 October 2023 →

“Be more Hamzeh”: review of Penguin at Live Theatre – 22 September 2023

“Beautiful man,” gushed my companion.  “I am completely amazed by the capacity of some human beings to just keep going, no matter what”. Hamzeh Al Hussein is strikingly handsome.  His eyes and his beautiful smile captivate and they held the audience in his one-man performance as they journeyed with him from Newcastle’s infamous Quayside back … Continue reading “Be more Hamzeh”: review of Penguin at Live Theatre – 22 September 2023 →

A response to I, Daniel Blake 4 June 2023

“Oh my God, oh my God” mouthed Jodie Wild who plays Daisy, Katie’s daughter, as the cast bowed to the standing ovation from the audience of invited guests comprising amongst others, community activists, local politicians, food bank volunteers, Ken Loach, Dave Johns, and the press. The world stage premiere has been running this week at … Continue reading A response to I, Daniel Blake 4 June 2023 →

Reinstate Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) 17 May 2023

Restoration of the EMA is a key policy in the SEA manifesto and is also demanded in the SEA ‘s proposed motion to Labour Conference. Anya explains why. EMA was a payment to students that was introduced under Labour in 1999 to improve participation in education post-16 both in FE colleges and sixth forms. Students … Continue reading Reinstate Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) 17 May 2023 →

Compassion Connecting College and Community 17 May 2023

Fifty years ago, in Education For A Change, writers Colin and Mog Ball asked “What is community?”* A simplistic understanding of community is an organisation such as a school or hospital, a district maybe or a religious community, defining on a singular commonality, be it location or activity. The Balls say that a vibrant community … Continue reading Compassion Connecting College and Community 17 May 2023 →

“Connecting Communities and Community: Education, Employment and Employability”

In a Socialist Educational Association North Branch meeting last year, the Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Philipson kept referring to ‘community’ - but what did she mean by that? A community is made up of different communities. Eventually she explained ‘’hardworking families’’ and this made no sense to me. Or maybe it did. Maybe it excluded … Continue reading “Connecting Communities and Community: Education, Employment and Employability” →

“Rooting kindness in 2021: the year of the tree” | North East Byline

15/07/2021Opinion/ SEA Posted by Socialist Educational Association Some of the Byker Mutual Aid volunteers I have a friend who declares she is apolitical.  She is intelligent, well-read, always learning something, active in community groups and environmental campaigns.  Decisions are made that she does not agree with, yet she still declares she is not political? This outward projection … Continue reading “Rooting kindness in 2021: the year of the tree” | North East Byline →

Nigel Todd: In Dedication

Good Afternoon and Welcome. It is with mixed emotions that I welcome you all to our meeting here this afternoon, members and friends. This is the third meeting of our Socialist Educational Association North East branch and it is our first meeting since the unexpected and deeply saddening news two weeks ago of the passing … Continue reading Nigel Todd: In Dedication →

Join The Unemployment Fightback – 27 February 2021

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/join-the-unemployment-fightback PEOPLE’S Assembly North East in partnership with Tyne & Wear County Association of Trades Councils and Durham Trades Council have just launched a short video campaign to highlight the impact of unemployment in the region. North-east England is facing a jobs crisis. Thousands of jobs have been lost, tens of thousands of people are … Continue reading Join The Unemployment Fightback – 27 February 2021 →

“Caravan of Care” 20 January 2020

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/supporting-memory-late-cllr-bernard-pidcock-caravan-care-convoy Supporting the memory of the late Cllr Bernard Pidcock with a ‘Caravan of Care’ convoy UCU activist ANYA COOK explains how young Labour members will be delivering humanitarian aid to Calais refugees, thanks to the assistance of a sterling local campaigner LAST January I was invited to Blythe Valley’s Constituency Labour Party meeting at … Continue reading “Caravan of Care” 20 January 2020 →

“Universal Credit is an Oxymoron” 2 December 2019

Writing for the People’s Assembly: https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/universal-credit-oxymoron Universal Credit is an oxymoron.  It is only universal if everyone can access it - but what if you don’t speak English or have access to the internet? I work at Newcastle College. On Wednesday last week I spent an hour — a whole hour — on the phone … Continue reading “Universal Credit is an Oxymoron” 2 December 2019 →

Engineering for Peace, Jobs and Climate Justice 9 November 2019

Leading workshop on 'Democratic Local Planning'.... ‘Democratic Local Planning’ is one of the four themes of the New Lucas Plan campaign. The Lucas Plan sets out a plan for human-centred, socially useful production within one organisation, but this approach can be used to produce plans for new jobs for one local area, but it can … Continue reading Engineering for Peace, Jobs and Climate Justice 9 November 2019 →

Love Newcastle Hate Racism Saturday 2 November 2019

Speaking for Newcastle Unites You can watch here - https://www.facebook.com/1332637355/posts/10220806533176473?sfns=mo Thank you for inviting me to speak. Racism, prejudice and intolerance have NO place in this city. I am proud to represent Newcastle Unites here today. I am proud to represent a community organisation that has equality at its core. We campaign against all forms … Continue reading Love Newcastle Hate Racism Saturday 2 November 2019 →

“Women in Trade Unions” Bywell and Prudhoe Labour Branches’ Rally Saturday 26 October 2019

You can watch here: https://www.facebook.com/100000500624699/posts/2991364537556871?sfns=mo Thank you Brian and Dot for inviting me to speak today. “Women in Trade Unions” was a broad remit and left the door open for me to think what it was that I wanted to say within that. Newcastle University Business School run a series of events each year called Little Heresies … Continue reading “Women in Trade Unions” Bywell and Prudhoe Labour Branches’ Rally Saturday 26 October 2019 →

Capitalism and Climate Change – 19 October 2019

I was asked very specifically to talk today about trade unions supporting school strikes. Thank you Alex, for inviting me to speak. UCU, University & College Union is the biggest trade union for education professionals in post-16 education in Europe. I ran a UCU stall at Jamie Driscoll’s ‘Green Industrial Revolution’ event in April this … Continue reading Capitalism and Climate Change – 19 October 2019 →

Youth Strike 4 Climate Change – Newcastle 19 July

Students I bring you greetings of solidarity from UCU - from University and College Union - the trade union that works with teachers and lecturers in colleges and universities. UCU supports you and we are campaigning to take action in support with you, in September. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please take a lesson and learn from the past. … Continue reading Youth Strike 4 Climate Change – Newcastle 19 July →

Conference on Children’s Rights (organised by Roma Access)

(Speaking for University & College Union national executive, further education committee) https://www.facebook.com/122098561182392/posts/2391440194248206?s=100000500624699&v=e&sfns=mo I can tell you that UCU’s national executive deplore the scapegoating of migrants and we will continue to challenge all forms of discrimination and we will continue to fight against the politics of austerity and the impacts of it. UCU’s starting point is … Continue reading Conference on Children’s Rights (organised by Roma Access) →

Newcastle Unites – ‘We have a dream’ Unity Carnival 2019

(Speaking for UCU nec and Newcastle Unites carnival team) Good Afternoon Newcastle! Welcome - welcome to our Newcastle ‘We have a dream’ carnival. Are you having a good time? Isn’t it great to be here - in Newcastle? And isn’t it great to be here - at The Monument, this symbol of peace and freedom … Continue reading Newcastle Unites – ‘We have a dream’ Unity Carnival 2019 →

‘I have a dream’ Newcastle’s Unity Carnival 2019

Anya Cook introduces Newcastle Unites, celebrating diversity and equality ON Saturday July 6 Newcastle Unites will be celebrating unity in our community at our second annual Unity Carnival. The event starts with a walk from the multicultural West End of Newcastle and ends in costume, music, dance, theatre and poetry at Grey’s Monument, renowned symbol … Continue reading ‘I have a dream’ Newcastle’s Unity Carnival 2019 →

Together Against Trump – Newcastle Protest 3 June 2019

Anya Cook UCU National Executive Speaking today for Newcastle Unites Our anti-racist coalition stands for the people of Newcastle ⁃ be they of left or of right ⁃ Be they of binary or non binary ⁃ Be they of faith or of no faith ⁃ And whatever their immigration status We are united against all … Continue reading Together Against Trump – Newcastle Protest 3 June 2019 →

Speaking in support of Unite’s motion on Period Dignity at #NTUC19j

Anya Cook University & College Union National Executive And Branch Secretary at Newcastle College where we had the first Period Poverty campaign at a college in England- launched back in October. Our campaign was funded by our branch and we invited contributions from organisations and colleagues. In February we secured agreement from the principalship to … Continue reading Speaking in support of Unite’s motion on Period Dignity at #NTUC19j →

On Housing and Homes

I work in a tight-knit team of supportive colleagues. And I was glad of that warmth when I shared with them my feelings of guilt, my upset, my conscience-wresting this week. Mid-evening outside the bus station in Newcastle, a regular begging patch, I passed a man, a person who looked to be living on the … Continue reading On Housing and Homes →

Why stand to be Parliamentary Labour Party Candidate for Hexham Constituency?

Quite simply - I was asked. That I was considered by some to be their choice of representative of the people of Hexham, to advocate, challenge and defend, to be their voice in parliament - well that’s a personal win and ‘humbled’ and ‘proud’ don’t cover it. Everything I do in my professional and community … Continue reading Why stand to be Parliamentary Labour Party Candidate for Hexham Constituency? →

Period Poverty Campaign

Anya Cook sits on University and College Union’s National Executive and Further Education Committee and she is Branch Secretary at Newcastle College where she is employed as a Mentor. In the decade I have been a UCU trade union rep at Newcastle College we haven’t had a women’s officer on the branch.  In September we … Continue reading Period Poverty Campaign →

Why I Am Supporting Jamie Driscoll for North of Tyne Mayor

Why I Am Supporting JD4Mayor I am not going to get into the whys and wherefores of whether the North of Tyne should be devolving - we are where we are. I am not going to get into the whys and wherefores of whether the nominations process for the mayoral election should have been allowed … Continue reading Why I Am Supporting Jamie Driscoll for North of Tyne Mayor →

Bringing CLPs and Unions Together

Period Poverty Blythe Valley CLP Meeting Seaton Deleval Wednesday 9 January You can view here: https://www.facebook.com/ucu.nclcoll.branch/videos/142298476646151/   When Janine invited me to speak this evening she wanted me to talk about our Period Poverty Campaign but within the wider context of trade unions and the Labour Party working together.   There’s a word for that. … Continue reading Bringing CLPs and Unions Together →

Stand Up For Humanity, Stand Up For Rohingya (North East Solidarity with Rohingya Public Rally Saturday 15 December 2018)

(Dedicated to Mr Charisse who died earlier this week – a teacher who looked me straight in the eyes and spoke to me in kindness.  I remember his love of Asterix,  Franglaise, Dire Straits ‘Money For Nothing’ and, of course, that moustache). You can watch here: https://www.facebook.com/100000500624699/posts/3111511585542165/ People have tried to stop me speaking here, … Continue reading Stand Up For Humanity, Stand Up For Rohingya (North East Solidarity with Rohingya Public Rally Saturday 15 December 2018) →

Making It Better

Making It Better Anya Cook sits on University and College Union’s National Executive and Further Education Committee and she is Branch Secretary at Newcastle College where she is employed as Learning Mentor. Language, Locus and the Law is my alliterative triptych to improve opportunities and reduce barriers to Further Education in an Age of Austerity. … Continue reading Making It Better →

Newcastle Unites For Our Muslim Sisters

Newcastle Unites for our Muslim Sisters Saturday 29 September 2018 Anya Cook UCU National Executive Good afternoon and thank you to Newcastle Unites, to Tony and Shumel for inviting me to speak. I bring greetings of solidarity from University and College Union. I am proud to stand alongside our Muslim sisters who have been targeted … Continue reading Newcastle Unites For Our Muslim Sisters →

Rohan Cook on Brexit and Breakdowns – a young person’s perspective

Many times now, the government has spoken of equality, improvement and empowerment for our Northern Region. From Osborne and his ridiculous, embarrassing and belittling Northern Powerhouse to the Maybot and her current stem of plans and ideas, with as much credibility as a football team's tactics that have been drawn up by a medic. Only in … Continue reading Rohan Cook on Brexit and Breakdowns – a young person’s perspective →

Newcastle College Board Staff Rep – Election Statement – Vote for Anya !!!

You deserve to have a representative who knows your job and what you have to do. Anya has worked here for nearly 12 years, through countless restructures, in a cross-college role that takes her into every school … she understands the demands on teaching and support staff. You need a STAFF REP who will take … Continue reading Newcastle College Board Staff Rep – Election Statement – Vote for Anya !!! →

The Charge of The Education Brigade (original version)

(Speech to UCU National Executive) I was shopping for a leaving gift for a colleague on my way home from work. It was late, I was tired and not paying attention to the lad on the checkout who was trying to convince me to complete one of those online questionnaires about my ‘experience’ so that … Continue reading The Charge of The Education Brigade (original version) →

Newcastle Parks Forum and Save Our Parks Meeting

The information that was released last week, ahead of Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet Meeting at which the parks proposal will be discussed, instigated the decision at the weekend to convene this meeting today. Some of what I say this evening you will have heard me say before – but I believe that some points are … Continue reading Newcastle Parks Forum and Save Our Parks Meeting →

Response to Grenfell

The Grenfell fire is totemic of the politics of neo-liberalism and the drive for profit over any other human consideration. As such totem, it is beyond a local issue and is etched on the national consciousness – the refusal to take health and safety seriously, the shear and unnecessary loss of human life, of working … Continue reading Response to Grenfell →

CLGC Parks Inquiry – Newcastle Parks Forum Submission August 2016

Anya Cook Newcastle Parks Forum - Chair The aim of Newcastle Parks Forum is to maintain and improve the quality and access to Newcastle's parks and green spaces for the benefit of and use by the community. The Communities and Local Government Committee has launched an inquiry into the future of public parks. Country parks, … Continue reading CLGC Parks Inquiry – Newcastle Parks Forum Submission August 2016 →