No Conflict of Interest Here Then.

The teachers of Little Ilford School are on strike, specifically they object to the Town Hall’s plans to expand the school by adding additional pupils.

This is a policy now championed by one Cllr Sarah Ruiz who is the Cabinet Member for Education and Children Social Care. Sarah was Labour, then Respect and now Labour again, with a dash of Momentum.

The Little Ilford teachers’ union is the NEU (National Education Union). The London Regional Organiser for the NEU is one Michael Gavan. He is quoted in the Socialist Worker stating, “Expanding without proper provision would be a disaster. None of their concerns have been listened to, but the strike is changing that. The council will have to listen now.” 

He should know. Gavan, who followed a similar political Labour-Respect-Momentum path to Ruiz, has some inside knowledge. 

Communication with the Cabinet member responsible should not be difficult as Ruiz and Gavan have been live-in partners for over two decades. Clearly, this issue can be resolved by what Private Eye might refer to a Ugandan Negotiations.

Alternatively, the mayor might give some thought to the conflict of interest when her Education cabinet member is in a relationship with the regional representative of the trade union they are in conflict with.