Friday Picture: Cameron's lovely "basin of gravy"

hat tip thingy Political Scrapbook via Rupa.  As translated here.

By- Election fight in Barking & Dagenham

Picture is of Labour Party activists from across London and Essex, meeting up yesterday to begin campaigning in Chadwell Heath Ward for Labour.

The ward had three Labour Councillors, one of whom has resigned for personal reasons. The vote will take place on Thursday. In the last election, the Tories had come a close 4th, but the BNP, flushed by their success elsewhere in the borough are now running a strong campaign.

Apologies for anyone I don’t personally know but in the picture is West Ham CLP, John Saunders, top Labour blogger Rupa Huq (and UNISON member), agent and Party regional officer (and Hackney Councillor) Rob Chapman and Sam. The excellent candidate, Margaret Mullane, is actually behind John, busy organising things.

Despite the “problems” the Party has at the moment, the turnout was pretty impressive for a ward by-election. As we left members from even as far away as Lambeth turned up. I understand that 35 members from outside Barking & Dagenham turned up to help out that day. As well as a good turn out from “Hope not Hate” in their bright yellow tee-shirts, handing out anti-fascist leaflets.

Many, many moons ago I use to work in Chadwell Heath. It is somewhere I have fond memories of. We worked Marks Gate part of the ward, which I do not know, most of which is a purpose built former London County Council (LCC) Estate. I thought that the estate was in quite good shape and looked after. There is open countryside around most of the estate.

The Labour voter ID was good – up-to-date and accurate. While, I am always somewhat skeptical about canvass returns I thought that we had a good reception. Even the “against” were quite polite, which makes a change when the BNP are in the running. There were lots of Tory leafleters running about. I did not see any of them actually knocking and speaking to people, which is possibly significant. We’re wait and see. I will try to fit in an evening before Thursday.

If you can help out - check out this post for details.

Of course, political campaigning is all hard work and no fun. You are out pounding the streets, knocking on doors, filling out your canvass sheets and generally fighting the good fight. It was purely in the interests of supporting a local mobile business therefore that our team stopped off for an ice cream - of course (with Barking and Dagenham Council GMB conveners, Sharon and Lewis).














Update: We lost but BNP kept out!

Terry Justice Conservative Party. Votes cast = 842. Elected
Dorien McIlroy Independent. Votes cast = 11
Margaret Mullane Labour Party. Votes cast = 691
Kerry Smith UK Independence Party. Votes cast = 142
James Webb British National Party. Votes cast = 564
Turnout was 33.15% Check Rupa post.

Rupa Huq out campaigning for votes in Bethnal Green & Bow

UNISON trade union member Rupa was out again tonight calling on local Labour Party members. Asking for their support for her to be their Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate in the next general election. On Thursday (26 April) there will be a hustings for the 450 members eligible to vote at Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End. There are 6 short listed candidates in total to choose from by transferable vote (this vote will be so tight that you must use all your preference votes). Each candidate will give a 5 minute speech then face a 5 minute Q&A from the audience:

Rupa Huq, Rushanara Ali, Shiria Khatun, Lutfor Rahman, John Biggs & Helal Abbas

Then on Saturday (28 April), there will also be a secret ballot of members which will be held at the Labour Party HQ in Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green (10am to 5pm).

Rupa has been selected as a Candidate worthy of support by UNISON “Labour Link” National Parliamentary Panel. I think she would make an excellent “crossover” candidate who would appeal and unite all the different communities and interests in BG&B behind her and the Party. She is a Bangladeshi Muslim woman who is not only proud of her community and her roots but also to call herself British. She is a Cambridge University graduate and holds a doctorate, but is also a working Mum with a boisterous toddler.

Rupa has past experience of standing as a Labour Party candidate in General and European elections. She is a long standing Labour Party activist, very hard-working, bright, articulate and committed. She wants to take on “Respect” and return BG&B to Labour and she has the presentational and media skills necessary to do so.

Talking to Rupa you realise that she is Passionate (with a capital “P”!) about achieving Social Justice. Politics is not just about theories, but is about practical real life issues such as putting more money into pensioner's pockets, affordable child care for working parents, decent local housing & health services, combating crime and properly caring for our environment.

This will be an interesting week

The People have spoken….

Bethnal Green & Bow Labour Party PPC selection. Sorry this is a bit late but I have been away for a few days. Ayub Korom Ali didn’t make it into the shortlist. An absolute shame since he was an excellent candidate. Talent spot him for the future.

However, there are 6 really good candidates left who will face a secret ballot by 450 odd ordinary BG&B Labour Party members on Saturday 28 April (Husting on the 26th). As Ayub made clear in his recent blog the most important thing is that a Labour Party MP is elected at the next election. The final 6 are: -

Rupa Haq,
Rushanara Ali,
Shiria Khatun
Lutfor Rahman,
John Biggs and
Helal Abbas

Rupa is a member of UNISON and would be a winning candidate.

Bow Belles join Bow Boys

Apologies for the sexist pun. Last night candidates Dr Rupa Huq (UNISON: Left) and Rushanara Ali (GMB Right) were also present at the Bow West branch nomination meeting. Former MP Oona King who lives in the ward also turned up to vote. The results are very interesting. Rushanara (who use to work for Oona) was the clear BME nomination. Then Rupa got the Women’s nomination and David Edgar narrowly piped John Biggs. Ayub was nominated twice however he did not “work” Bow due to time constraints. However, he made plenty of contacts that night talking to members.

Also in photo is candidate Abdus Shukur (3rd left) and (4th left) Councillor AM Ohid Ahmed (GMB). You can click on the picture to make it bigger.