Every vote counts (wining by 1)

 

I was naturally really pleased to see this election declaration yesterday (see previous post John's Labour blog: "On the knocker" in Hainault By Election) but winning - by one vote out of 2903 cast!  It must have been so stressful for the 2 leading candidates, their agents and Council staff. 

There was a recount and no doubt the candidate's counting agents would have been scrutinising every single vote. I understand that there was another Council by election victory yesterday by one vote in Norwich and of course the infamous "victory" of Reform by 5 votes when 32,655 were cast (2025 Runcorn and Helsby by-election - Wikipedia).

However, politics can be cruel and a "win is a win". I have never campaigned beforehand in any election that was so close and it makes me think how important it is when you campaign in the future to say to yourself that this election could be won or lost - by one vote. 

TUC Pensions Conference 2024: pensions under the next government

I have just registered. https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/tuc-pensions-conference-2024-pensions-under-next-government

Overview

Registrations are now open for the TUC Pensions Conference 2024 on Wednesday 13 March at Congress House, London. 

With a general election on the horizon, the conference will explore the challenges facing an incoming government in pensions policy, including: 

• Helping more low paid workers to save for retirement 
• Raising employer contributions so more workers build up an adequate pension pot 
• Helping workers to turn their pension pots into a retirement income 
• The future of the state pension age 
• The role of pension schemes in funding infrastructure 

There will also be a range of workshops for pension fund trustees and union reps, covering subjects such as promoting sustainable investment, handling member complaints, and bargaining with employers. 

Join us at Congress Centre to hear from a range of trade unionists, policy makers and pension experts.