On the knocker for Alam in Plaistow North & supporting Joel in Croydon East

 

This morning I joined Newham comrades in the rain (it was rather light and sporadic)  for a canvass in Plaistow North for the forthcoming Council by election this Thursday 23 November. The canvass was mostly very positive but I did have a two difficult conversations with residents out of 35 Labour doorstep  contacts. 

While I suspect there wider concerns, the only opposition that I saw today out campaigning was the Tories, who appear to be targeting the ward and throwing more resources at it I have seen since the Royal Docks by election in 2009. Today I accused their organiser Tim of stalking us!

Afterwards I went to help out with the campaign for UNISON Labour Link nominee Joel Bodmer, to become the Labour candidate to represent Croydon East. 

Plaistow North by election & supporting Joel Bodmer for Croydon East

Saturday afternoon I went to support our Labour Candidate, Akthural Alam. I ended up leading a small team using the "Labour Doorstep" smartphone app which is great (but sometimes erratic) for individual canvassing but not that good for a group. However, all the data is saved automatically and if it rains the paper canvass sheets tends to disintegrate. 

I had a few decent political conversations and it was mostly very positive. I bumped into the Tories again (led by my old sparring partner Tim Roll-Pickering for third Saturday in a row) but no sign again of any other parties.  

Afterwards I went to Croydon East with UNISON colleagues, to support Joel Bodmer, who was shortlisted in the nomination race to be the Labour Parliamentary candidate for this new seat.

Check out 

@JoelBodmer 

https://www.joelbodmer.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/JoelBodmer1

Longlisted:Joel Bodmer for Croydon East

 

Fantastic news. Joel has been longlisted to be the Labour Party candidate for Croydon East at the next General Election. Well done to Joel and his team. Check out his website here 

Proud to be backed by UNISON - Joel Bodmer for Croydon East

Congratulations to Joel for winning the UNISON Labour Link nomination. In our roles as elected Chair and Vice Chair of Greater London Regional Labour Link committee, myself and Yvonne Green (who happens to be a Croydon East Labour activist) interviewed a wide range of excellent candidates, supported by a UNISON regional manager as procedural secretary. 

On this occasion, Joel was the clear winner and has been given the sole nomination. We need more genuine grass roots, capable, trade union activists as MPs in the next Parliament to deliver for all working people.