Labour Street Surgery in Stratford

 

On Saturday afternoon I joined a street surgery and campaign session in Stratford with local Councillor, Sabia Kamali. There had been a morning session as well which I could not attend but I cycled to the meeting point in Stratford High Road, which was near an unusual stone pillar (bottom right) which I think is some sort of boundary post dated 1731. It seems that it once marked land owned by a Church in Southwark. There is a similar wall plaque in my ward in West Ham. I will find out more. 

The street surgery itself went well but it was a warm and sunny day with many residents obviously out shopping or enjoying the weather. It was also difficult to gain entry into some of the newer blocks in this area. 

I helped some residents with some housing repair issues and advice on waiting lists etc but the only "political" conversation, I had was with a cheerful young man, who answered the door and said he did not know anything about politics but said he had heard about Reform but did not know what they would do for him or his family. 

I gave him the example that Reform wanted to dismantle the NHS and introduce a health service based on insurance policies. He was pretty rude about that possibility and said "100% for Labour then". Hopefully, I have pointed him in the right direction. 

There was some lovely individual gardens on the estates and an impressive new play area and Community garden.