Canning Town South Street Surgery

On Monday evening, I joined my fellow Labour candidates in Canning Town South for a street surgery in their ward. 

We managed to get into some of the newer blocks and chatted with residents about any issues or concerns they had with Newham Council, also conducting a quick survey. 

I teamed up with Rohit and Aderonke (not pictured) with John M, covering alternate floors in the blocks. Apart from a few residents who were busy cooking or eating, everyone I spoke to was interested and engaged. 

Common issues included ASB, parking, and litter, as well as specific concerns like ground rent, which Rohit was already on top of. 

Although the elections are still a way off, the response at the doors was positive, with no negativity toward Labour and some great conversations. 

As Newham Labour Group Chair, I’m making my way to all our ward street surgeries but hope to return to Canning Town South before May 7.

Canning Town South Canvass with Lyn Brown MP

 

On Saturday I went canvassing in Canning Town South ward with our local MP, Lyn Brown and Unmesh Desai, our local London Assembly member and Councillors Rohit Das Gupta and Alan Griffiths.  

The ward has been transformed in recent times by the building of so many blocks of flats. However, there are still many traditional low rise homes such as Jude Street. I always enjoy knocking on doors and talking to people. 

We did get an ear bashing from one resident about the failure to deal with damage done by tree roots to pavements and driveways but there was clearly a problem. Apart from that, it was a very successful canvass (also no rain!) which was followed by coffee and chinwag. 

Great to see new faces on the campaign trail. 

Canning Town South, West Ham & Canning Town North Sunday Canvass

 

A busy day on Sunday. Starting off with canvass in Canning Town South in the morning. We meet outside Morrisons. Our MP Lyn Brown, was there and gave a quick, no nonsense speech to activists about how important it is to get a good result on May 5, to encourage the Tories to get rid of Boris as our Prime Minister. The canvass itself went well and again, we were picking up support from working class voters, who had previously been against Labour, because of Boris and his "lock down" parties. 

Next we went to my ward, West Ham, to canvass next to the station, led by Lyn and my colleague Cllr (and candidate) John Whitworth. Again, pretty positive and one resident even remembered me speaking to him in 2018. I did not go down well with another resident, who came to the door and I genuinely thought he was under 18 and asked to speak to his parents. He told me he was 28! but Lyn was at hand to rescue the situation and he did sort of agree to vote Labour. 

At 4pm I cycled over to Canning Town North for their canvass of a large L&Q Housing Association estate which I had never been to before. While waiting to start, I had a "row" with an obnoxious fellow cyclist, who decided to give those of us waiting, the benefit of his views on the many failings of the Labour Party (which is fair enough) while interrupting and over talking any attempt to respond to his strident views. When he decided to criticise Angela Rayner MP as being arrogant etc I felt I had to intervene and we had some interesting "exchanges". 

The canvass itself went well with lots of positive support and loyalty for Labour. Our Mayoral Candidate, Rokhsana Fiaz, and all three Councillor candidates were there. One resident worked for an organisation that had actually sacked Boris in a previous job. 

I had another "difficult" conversation with a resident who declared she has never voted Labour and never would because we were all a "disgrace".  To which I said fair enough, but we don't want any votes from people who are personally abusive, so please do not vote for us. 

The majority reaction in all 3 wards was supportive of Labour. I did not come across any evidence of opposition parties canvassing or even leafleting in any of these wards which I genuinely believe is a shame. 

Out & about in West Ham and Canning Town

 

This morning I was out campaigning for Labour in West Ham Ward with my fellow Councillors John & Charlene, Party activists and a young pioneer!

The canvass went really well and I met a number of residents who I have advocated for over the years and spoke to others who were relatively new to the ward but really engaged with the community and pleased to talk to their Councillors over local issues. 

In the afternoon I went with our MP, Lyn Brown to Canning Town South. We joined one of the largest canvass teams I have been with since first lockdown. 

This was another positive canvass for Labour, there was some negativity over parking and the former Labour leadership but residents who had previously been against, were genuinely horrified about Boris and his staff, openly breaking the law, enjoying parties, while they had to lock down.  

I have been so cynical about Boris, that frankly, the recent revelations did not shock me that much, it was revealing how disgusted people are about his behaviour. 

We went past a block in Clements Avenue, where the first ever Council eviction for racial harassment took place in 1984 (top left). 

Afterward we stopped off for some snacks, drinks and for putting the world to rights. 

"On the knocker" in Canning Town South

It was a lovely day for the time of year to go canvassing for Labour. We split into two teams. My team leafleted some modern apartment blocks overlooking the old docks (we could not get in to door knock). 

Then by contrast we walked through the Excel Centre and across the Docklands Light Railway to door knock in the more traditional Canning Town. On route we met a "visitor" (Pink Princess) to the Gaming Exhibition being held in the Excel Centre this weekend. Anyone know which character she was representing? I did ask and think she said "GK" game but have no idea what this is? 

Probably because it was a warm and a Saturday, residents were on the whole, pleased to see us and happy to chat. Local Councillor, Belgica Guaña, picked up a fair bit of case work. 

The response was overwhelmingly pro Labour (we had 55 contacts on "Labour Doorstep"). 

I had a number of interesting conversation with residents but with one in particular (who had been previously identified as being "Against" Labour but said he usually voted for us) who explained that he had felt forced to exercise his right to buy his former Council home, because he was worried that his grown up children would be evicted from his home upon his death, since they would have no right to succeed to his council tenancy. 

I did explain that this was not necessary so but said I did understand his concerns. I think perhaps we ought to think about explaining to Council tenants about succession and assignment rights, which may mean tenants will not feel forced to buy? He agreed with me that "Right to Buy" is a bad idea if Councils are not fully compensated for its loss and it is one big reason why his children cannot get a Council home of their own. 

Afterwards we had breakfast in a café in Freemasons Road, then made our way to St John's Church in Stratford (me by bike) for training on the Labour Party Campaigning Software called "Contact Creator".  Which I thought went really well and I learnt a lot. The app is far better than the last time I used it. 

Afterwards, a beer or two at the King Eddies. Overall, it was a rather long but perfect Labour movement day. 

Canning Town South Labour doorstep 11 March 2017

This college is from Saturday 11 March when West Ham Labour Party activists came to support the local Party in Canning Town South ward. Our MP Lyn Brown was there and we all knocked on doors in the ward asking if they had any issues that they wanted to discuss with their MP or local Councillors.

The response was on the whole very positive. By coincidence council contractors were marking the car parking bays in the area for the introduction of a new controlled parking zone. Some residents were genuinely worried about this but the vast majority realised that this had to be done to stop the area being turned into a car park for commuters.

The only other apparent  issue is that many of the houses in our canvass area are owned by a private landlord who is apparently trying to "encourage" residents who have controlled rents to move to other accommodation. We did not pick this issue up in the doorknock but local Councillors are aware and will be investigating.

Also that day there was a Labour canvass in Custom House (see photo in collage on bottom left).

Afterwards a number of canvassers from different parts of the CLP met up for coffee, cake and gossip (top left)

"On the knocker" for Labour and the NHS in Canning Town (and elsewhere)

When Councillor Terry Paul (aka "Red Tel") promised on Facebook "sunshine" for this morning's Canning Town campaign session perhaps we should have looked out of the window first!

A very cold and at times snowy Labour doorstep this morning in Canning Town and Green Street West. It was what we call a "street surgery", calling at homes with a local Councillor asking residents if they have any problems or issues with Newham Council that they wish to discuss with us.

We had very positive results which could mean everything is perfect in Newham or that residents wanted to close the door to keep the heat in as soon as possible.

Last weekend and during the week West Ham Labour activists were in Stoke-on-Trent to campaign in the Parliamentary by election supporting Labour candidate (and UNISON trade unionist) Gareth Snell. 

Door knocking in Butchers Road, Canning Town

Picture from this Saturday's door knock in Canning Town South, Newham organised by our local MP Lyn Brown (seen in bottom left with our favourite Labour attack dog, Cara, the Yorkshire Terrier)

We were split into pairs by Ward organiser, Alan Griffiths which personally I think is too small a team for a canvass but his argument was it prevented the chatting and gossiping you get in larger teams....As if Labour Party activists ever gossiped!

I was paired with Canning Town South Councillor, Bryan Collier MBE. Who is I think universally recognised as a hard working, dedicated and competent Councillor and  community activist. Bryan was for many years an Environmental Health Officer and UNISON member in one of my favourite branches, Lambeth local government.

We went to a relatively new block in Butchers Road, Canning Town managed by L&Q Housing Association.

The first home we visited were enthusiastic Labour supporters and pleased with free school meals for their children and that their son was learning to play the violin at school under the "every child a musician" programme. Their young son who was present didn't seem to share their enthusiasm quite so much but wouldn't it be brilliant if Canning Town was known in the future as the home of a violin maestro!

We had some fun and games trying to get into the block. There was no "drop key" panel which made me wonder how the emergency services can gain immediate access to the block? There was probably the most sophisticated door entry system I ever come across. When you rang a door number, if it was not answered it was transferred to the occupants’ mobile phone number. We were eventually let in by a resident who was not even at home (or so he told us I suppose).

The block was in a good condition (well done to caretakers, maintenance and management staff).  There were complaints by residents about anti-social behaviour by some local children in the car park and people leaving rubbish bags outside the communal bin areas. Bryan has already held one meeting with L&Q, local sector Police and residents about this problem and will see about holding another.

The very positive response to Labour that we received did surprise me a little since many residents were not originally from Newham. Bryan was recognised by some as a good local Councillor but without being at all flippant or complaisant in the slightest, we had some very good and interesting canvass returns.

Canning Town South Labour Candidate: Alan Taylor

Picture from last night of Alan Taylor about to go off and “fight the good fight” for Labour in Canning Town. Alan is a well known and respected community activist in the local area.

I was sent off to deliver a direct mailing and rather embarrassingly got locked inside a  community garden area in New Barn Street. In order to deliver to ground floor flats in the block I went through an entry door without checking I could come back through it! You had to have a special block key to do so.

After 15 minutes trying to work out how to get out I gave up and knocked on the door of the flat nearest the entry door. Happily they didn't mind and were strong Labour Party supporters and let me out.

UNISON White Rose Ringer on “dog and bone” for Labour in West Ham

Well, I just couldn’t resist this headline but tuesday evening we did have two UNISON Labour Party members, born and bred in Yorkshire (and others) tele-canvassing Canning Town from our West Ham CLP HQ.

One is now a fully fledged Londoner and Newham resident while the other is a Leeds activist in London for a UNISON Employment rights/TUPE course who was gently “persuaded” to come and “fight the good fight”.

Yorkshire is the home of many tele-banking and marketing organisations.  I understand that one reason for this is that the Yorkshire accent is seen as "honest, trustworthy, thoughtful and wise."

From the voter ID returns and listening in to the conversations I think East Londoners agreed!

“On the knocker” with Labour Fire-fighter Michael Nicholas in Canning Town South

On Monday evening I went out canvassing with Michael who is an existing Labour Councillor, a London fire-fighter and who is also on the Executive Council of the Fire Brigade Union (FBU).

I hadn’t been to this part of the Canning Town South Ward before and was impressed with the regeneration works that had taken place in the area. The older “Newham Homes” blocks have been refurbished and there were a number of small new build housing association developments. Estate management and design by both organisations seemed to be pretty good.

Michael was born in Canning Town and has lived in Newham all his life. Local residents were usually quite happy to chat with him about local issues and concerns. So much that we had to take off him the voter ID sheets (NB never let your candidate lead the canvass team).

Pictured with Michael is Charlene McLean who is standing herself as a Newham Labour Councillor in Stratford and Newtown.

Canning Town South: Team Labour 2010

Out Wednesday with Canning Town South Action Team.

Canning Town Sunset

While out campaigning last night. Bye, bye Craig!

Canning Town Canvass

Today we split up into 2 canvass teams outside St Luke’s Church in Tarling Road, E16. It was quite a positive canvass. There were a large number of east European residents who did not know that the election was on and that they could vote. A lot of people were also out because of the good weather.

I met up again with local residents I had talked to on the Rathbone Market stall the other week. I discussed “succession” rights with an elderly tenant who was worried that her son would be evicted if anything happened to her. It was a one bedroom flat. He had the bedroom and she slept in the living room. Her rent book said that her flat was big enough for 3 adults to live in.

The local housing estates seemed to be well managed and looked after.

We stopped and had a chat in the sunshine with two Police PCSO on push bikes from the local Safer Neighbourhood team.

It struck me that so far there had been no sign whatsoever of any other political parties campaigning in Newham during this election.

The MP expenses issue did come up but again most people who mentioned it expressed disappointment rather than anger. The mess the government had made over the Ghurkhas was brought up as well. An elderly resident was quite rightly very critical of the government over this matter but he did admit that the Labour government had done a lot for him financially over the years.

There were a relatively high number of people who said they would not be voting. However, the most often heard remark by those who spoke to us about Political Party preference was “Yes, we’re Labour, we have always voted Labour”.

We also had another resident asking us how they can join the Labour Party (as well as the two on Saturday).

Tackling the CPA in Canning Town South

Yesterday evening we had a Newham wide Labour Party mass canvass in Canning Town South. This is one of only 2 wards in the borough that are represented by Non-Labour Councillors. The so-called “Christian Peoples Alliance” (CPA) holds all 3 seats in this ward. Their leader is the awful Old Testament fundamentalist and super egotist Alan Craig.

While I am sure that the vast majority of CPA supporters are sincere about their concerns and beliefs. I believe that Craig has deliberately stoked up division between our communities in Newham in order to appeal to his own vast personal vanity that he is some sort of “an important thingy”. For example he attacks the building of a big mosque in East London despite supposedly being a religious leader himself? Would he object to a big Christian church in Newham? Let me think about this for a moment? Nope, of course not.

Recently Tom Duncan, of the local weekly newspaper, the “Newham Recorder” compared leaflets put out by the CPA with those of the BNP.

We had 50 Newham Labour Party activists out and about in Canning Town South, knocking on doors, delivering leaflets and talking to local people about the forthcoming election.

I ended up in a canvass team with Newham Councillors, Andrew Baikie and Lester Hudson (see action pic at Stubbs Point tower block). I think we had a very good reception. Some of the other canvassers apparently had some problems with BNP supporters. I met no body willing to admit that they supported the CPA (or BNP).

Again, another positive canvass. Must not be carried away by this since most boroughs in London are not currently natural Labour territory.

Lyn Brown MP - Alfresco in Canning Town South (& CPA Bigots)

Yesterday I went to help out at Lyn’s latest constituency development event which was held in the brand new Keizan Primary School, Elkington Road E13 (aka as “Tea or coffee mornings”).

The meeting is in Canning Town South ward, which is the only ward in Newham held by the extremist right wing fundamentalist party, the “Christian People Alliance” (CPL).

Ironically the only opposition parties to Labour in Newham are on the one hand the extremist “Shari Socialists” of so-called “Respect” in Green Street West and the fundamentalist Christian bigots in the CPL. Two sides of the same coin as far as I am concerned.

Unfortunately (or perhaps not) the first part of the meeting had to be held outside the school since the caretaker had gone to the wrong school to open up and had the wrong keys. (PFI School – no comment). For the first 30 minutes or so, Lyn and local councillors, Clive Furness and Paul Schafer held open air surgeries outside the schools.

Middle Picture is of top UNISON London Labour Link committee member and West Ham Labour Party Secretary, Alan Griffith, behind bars (no comment).

BTW - One of the CPA Canning Town South Councillors, Simon Ademolake, has been charged with assault on Police following a dispute between him and court bailiffs over unpaid parking tickets. He has apparently denied all the allegations.

I have no knowledge whatsoever about whether Ademolake is guilty or not about assaulting anyone. However I note that he won a civil court case recently over a parking ticket which a Warden was unable to put on his vehicle because he had driven off. A few years ago I represented a UNISON Parking attendant who was nearly killed by a motorist driving off at high speed to avoid having a ticket placed on his windscreen. If you have committed an offence does it really matter if a "ticket" is placed on the vehicle or not? Doesn’t Ademolake realise (or care) that every year Parking Wardens are seriously injured (and no doubt someone will one day will be killed) by people driving off in order to stop a ticket being physically put on their car? Guess not.