Unmesh Desai, a member of the Labour Party, has been serving as the London Assembly Member for the City and East constituency since May 2016. His political journey includes a substantial tenure as a councillor for the London Borough of Newham from 1998 until 2018, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to public service in East London.
Desai's background is diverse and rich in legal and civic engagement, having worked as a criminal defense lawyer for a human rights firm and engaging in various roles that underscore his dedication to civil rights and police accountability. Before entering the London Assembly, Desai had a notable career that spanned various aspects of public service and community engagement.
He served as a political officer for the Newham GMB since 2014, showcasing his commitment to workers' rights and labor issues. His roles in local government were significant, particularly as the first Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in Newham Council, where he played a pivotal role in overseeing council operations and ensuring accountability.
His tenure in the council's Cabinet, handling Community Affairs and later Crime and Anti-Social Behavior, highlighted his dedication to improving community safety and welfare. Desai's professional and political interests reflect his commitment to justice, equality, and community development.
He is deeply involved in organizations that align with his political and social values, including membership in the Labour Party, the Co-operative Party, the Fabian Society, and holding executive positions in the Local Government Information Unit and Liberty. His role as a trustee and ambassador for various community and sports organizations in East London, such as the West Ham United Foundation and the Newham Cricket Club, underlines his commitment to local community development.
In his capacity as a London Assembly Member, Desai focuses on policing and crime, transport, and budget and performance issues, reflecting his extensive experience in public safety and governance. His past work advocating for police accountability and his writings on strategies to prevent extremism showcase his dedication to fostering a safe, inclusive, and just society.
As of 2023-24, Desai continues to play a significant role in the London Assembly, contributing to the Police and Crime Committee, Transport Committee, Budget and Performance Committee, and several other key areas, underscoring his multifaceted approach to addressing the needs and challenges of his constituents.
The Labour Party is a prominent political force in the United Kingdom, characterized by its alignment with social democracy and democratic socialism. Situated on the centre-left of the political spectrum, Labour has played a significant role in British politics since its founding in 1900.
Emerging from the trade union movement and socialist parties of the 19th century, it initially served to represent the interests of the working class.
As of the last general election in 2019, Labour holds the position of the Official Opposition in the UK Parliament, having secured the second-largest number of seats. It is the largest party in the Welsh Parliament and the third-largest in the Scottish Parliament.
Internationally, Labour is affiliated with the Party of European Socialists and the Progressive Alliance and holds observer status in the Socialist International.
The Labour Party, under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, is focused on restoring economic stability to the UK. They advocate for strict fiscal policies to prevent unnecessary expenditures, promoting transparency and efficiency through new oversight bodies like the Covid Corruption Commissioner and an Office for Value for Money.
Their economic plan is designed to contrast with the perceived instability under the Conservative Party, emphasizing responsible financial management and targeted investments for growth.
Labour criticizes the current government for reducing the UK’s defense capabilities and outlines a plan to revitalize the nation's military resources. The party proposes a comprehensive Strategic Defence and Security Review, supporting the armed forces more robustly, and establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner to ensure the security of the nation and uphold the interests of military personnel.
The party plans a significant overhaul of the UK's immigration and border security systems, aiming to create a more efficient and secure framework. Labour’s strategy includes enhancing the enforcement of border laws, dismantling human trafficking networks, and improving the asylum system to ensure it is both cost-effective and secure.
Labour intends to undertake substantial reforms within the National Health Service (NHS) to address inefficiencies and the backlog caused by Conservative policies. The plan includes investments in healthcare infrastructure such as more MRI and CT scanners, and increasing the number of healthcare professionals to provide better service and care.
Tackling crime and enhancing community safety are central to Labour’s agenda, with plans to increase the police presence and introduce new community policing measures. The party emphasizes preventive strategies, especially focusing on youth crime and the root causes of antisocial behavior, to foster safer communities.
Labour commits to transformative educational reforms to ensure equitable opportunities for all. These reforms include recruiting more teachers, overhauling the curriculum, and investing in school infrastructure to equip students for modern challenges and ensure access to high-quality education and lifelong learning opportunities across the country.
In response to environmental concerns and the energy crisis, Labour advocates for establishing a new publicly-owned clean energy company and expanding renewable energy resources. This initiative aims to reduce dependency on foreign energy, combat climate change, and stimulate economic growth through the creation of sustainable jobs.
The Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, with deputy leader Angela Rayner, and General Secretary David Evans, positions itself as a centre-left party, embodying social democratic and democratic socialist ideologies. Founded in 1900, Labour has grown from its trade union roots to become a major political force in the UK, advocating for social justice, economic reform, and public service enhancement.
The party maintains active branches across the UK, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and engages with various international socialist and social democratic groups, reflecting its commitment to broad-based, progressive policies.
Labour advocates for a blend of social democracy and democratic socialism, aiming to balance market economics with social welfare policies. It promotes government intervention in the economy, fair distribution of wealth, and comprehensive public services, including healthcare and education.
The party maintains close ties with the Co-operative Party, with many Labour MPs sitting in Parliament as Labour Co-operative representatives. While it supports the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in Northern Ireland, Labour continues to organize and maintain a presence there, adapting its strategies to address both local and national issues effectively.
Overall, the Labour Party remains a key player in shaping the political, social, and economic landscape of the United Kingdom, committed to advancing the principles of fairness, equality, and social justice.