Labour Win in Little Ilford & Beckton Ward By-elections

 

Just back home from the Count at East Ham Town Hall. So pleased that both Blossom and Alam (5th & 6th from right) had clear wins in their elections. I will post more on the elections when I can. 

Supporting Aktharul Alam in Little Ilford - By-elections Thursday 18 July

 

This evening I led a team in Little Ilford with our Labour candidate, Aktharul Alam (taking selfie), using printed sheets instead of the "doorstep" app on our phones. This is due to some national Labour technical glitch, which I believe has now been sorted. 

It was actually quite nice to have pen and paper again and to work as a team rather than individuals. Probably a more social and gossipy way of doing things while you wait to give your data or be given new addresses to call upon. 

The canvass itself went well and there was a number of teams out all day and evening in Little Ilford and Beckton Ward (where there is a second by election with the Labour Candidate being Blossom Young). 

Surgery, knocking up Little Ilford then phone banking for Beckton By election (both 18 July)

 

This morning I had my Councillor surgery in West Ham ward then cycled over to Little Ilford to go out and door knock for the Labour Candidate, Aktharul Alam. There are two By-elections next week on Thursday July 18. I joined my fellow UNISON member Alan Griffiths. 2 other Labour teams out canvassing.

We went to Warrior Square, which I am told is named after the famous Victorian Battleship, HMS Warrior, which was built nearby and is now in Portsmouth historic dockyard (which I have visited several times).

This was an overwhelmingly positive canvass. I think that residents realise that they need a local Labour Councillor, who can work with our newly elected local Labour MPs, to press the case for Newham, with a newly elected Labour Government. Makes sense.

Later that day I messed up on the timings of a canvass for our Labour Candidate in Beckton By-election, Blossom Young, so did some phone banking for her from home using the Labour Party "Dialogue" software. It is pretty frustrating process since so many telephone numbers are wrong but the 10 or so residents I managed to speak to were all Labour, which was positive.

If any London Labour activists can help out this week and on the day with our 2 by elections then please do. There is a problem with the link to Labour events website which I hope will be sorted out very soon.

14 Years of Tory CHAOS 10 Days until you can Vote for Change

This evening I joined our Labour Beckton by-election candidate, Blossom Young and local activists to campaign for her and our Parliamentary candidate, James Asser. The weather has turned warm but the rain this spring and early summer has made the area lush and green. There is an outer London suburban feel to this part of Newham. 

I had many positive conversations with residents including with those who are critical of Labour but understand that the only choice is between a Tory Government and a Labour Government. People are desperate for change. 

But I can remember the 1992 General election, when nearly everyone thought that we were ahead in the polls, change was going to happen and that  Labour were going to win - but we didn't. We had to endure another 5 years of pretty disastrous Tory rule. 

While it sometimes feels that the Tories have a death wish - do not underestimate in the next 10 days the money they will spend, the lies they will tell and the slander they will spread.

So do not take anything for granted and remember - Vote Labour if you want change. A vote for any other party is likely to mean a vote for the Tories. 

Canning Town and Beckton visits and doorsteps

 

Today  I joined the West Ham & Beckton Labour Parliamentary candidate, James Asser, with local Councillors, Rohit and Shabs, for a tour of shops and businesses in Canning Town. James chatted to owners about issues facing them on the high street. It then absolutely poured with rain, during which I drove to the printers to pick up leaflets while James and the others took shelter in a Labour supporter home. 

The rain stopped and for a while it was blue skies and sunshine. We then went and knocked on doors in a relatively new, nearby high rise and talked to residents about what issues were important to them. 

The need for safer streets was a number one priority for both residents and local businesses.  Tory governments cut the Police of 20,000 experienced officers and the Met by over £1 billion. They are not the party of law and order.  

In the afternoon I went to knock on doors in Beckton with our council by election candidate, Blossom Young, my fellow ward Councillor John and UNISON colleague Mushtaq. Labour Friends of Bangladesh were also there to help with the door knock and we got over 150 contacts.  

Vote Labour for Change - Manifesto Day Canvass in Beckton, East London

 

This evening I went on a canvass with our Labour by election candidate, Blossom Young and activists in Beckton ward. We went to new build housing developments, owned by social landlords (secure tenants, shared ownership and market rents). 

Both Blossom and I work in the sector and we did come across a number of serious housing issues (as do all political canvassers in Newham and elsewhere). To me, it is so important that we get a Labour government elected committed to address the housing crisis and everything else that is so wrong in our broken Britain. 

I was really impressed with Blossom handling a couple of difficult conversations on the doorstep. By listening, being honest, polite and respectful, she at the end won over all of them. The canvass itself was overwhelmingly positive for Labour. Residents want a change in Government. 

They know that the General election is pretty much a simple choice between Labour and the Tories. In my personal view, a vote for anyone else but Labour is likely to be a vote for the Tories. 

Today the Labour Party issued its manifesto which I am wading through but can see lots and lots of great stuff.