"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. 

Royal Docks & NHS Nightingale Run

This evening I went for sunshine run (aka "very slow jog") from Newham Dockside Building to Thames Barrier across Royal Docks past the now "on standby"NHS Nightingale (Excel Centre) through Custom House back to Newham Dockside. About 4 miles-ish in around 55 minutes (including photo stops)

I was so pleased that the Excel Centre was turned into a London wide NHS Covid-19 hospital facility and so glad that it turned out that it was not really needed (so far and hopefully it never will)

I was thinking of NHS Nightingale and all our key workers during #ClapForKeyWorkers tonight. 

Newham Against the Arms Fair 2019

This picture collage is from the protest last Saturday 16 Feb at the Excel Centre against plans to hold the biannual DSEI (Defence & Security Equipment International) Arms fair in September.

The Newham Executive Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz and local MP, Lyn Brown turned up to support protestors as did many local Councillors.

It was a largely a friendly musical protest apart from some "disagreements" with Excel security about handing out leaflets and where to stand.

I love the picture (lower middle) where we are singing protest songs but Joshua, the young son of Newham Councillors, Carleene & Daniel Lee-Phakoe,  is pictured sticking his fingers in his ears at our noise, therefore making his own protest. 

Prep for London Triathlon 2014 tomorrow

Off message but everything packed for tomorrow morning. Up 4am, leave home 5am, then meet fellow Newham Cllr "Red Tel" Paul and his brother-in-law for 5.15am. Arrive Excel centre for 5.30am and then 1.5km swim at 7am immediately followed by 40km bike ride and then 10km run.

Another fine mess that Terry has got me into :)

UPDATE: Did it -  Olympic @londontriathlon Swim 00:44:43, Bike 01:29:30, Run 01:03:20, Total 03:29:42. Will post tomorrow.

AMNT at Pensions and Benefits Show (and pros & cons of fiduciary management)

This picture from the Pensions and Benefits show at the Excel Centre in London earlier this month.

The Association of Member Nominated Trustees (AMNT) had a stall during the 2 day event run by AMNT volunteers.

I only managed to pop in briefly during the Wednesday lunchtime to say hello.

Beforehand I went to a presentation on "Fiduciary Management" by MN.

They reported that in June 2007 the average DB pension fund was 124% funded! Now it is only 84%. The Fiduciary Management argument is that they can close this closing gap by pooling investment funds and cut costs and improve performance.

I think there is an argument that scale can achieve this but in the Q&A I questioned why they use the term fiduciary when actually they have no fiduciary duty to pension trustees? Their fiduciary duty is to their owners and shareholders. 

I think that this is a fundamental confusion. On a more positive point I did wonder whether this model could be considered as an option in the consultation currently taking place in the Local Government Pension Scheme? Individual LGPS could remain while they pool fund management?

London Marathon 2012 Wk 26: "how will I get through it?"

Now there is less than 3 days to go before the start of the London Marathon 2012. Week 26 of my marathon training finished on Sunday when I did my last long run in Epping Forest. Starting from Queen Elizabeth hunting lodge in Chingford then a 75 minute run around and inside the forest. Epping Forest is the Jewel of East London. The best part of the run was through the forest along the little used paths and trails. You may get lost from time to time but the solitude is well worth it. You would not believe  that this ancient woodland is so close to central London.

Yesterday I registered and picked up my London Marathon 2012 "running pack" from the Newham ExCel centre. On the way into the main Exhibition hall there was this "how will you get through it" message board. All runners were encouraged to write something about how they will get through the run. I made some silly comment on it but the truth of the matter is that for most of us it will just be one long, knackering and bloody painful experience.

I did the London Marathon 10 years ago and afterwards swore that I would never do it again. Of course, eventually I forgot how awful it was and began to think that it wasn't that bad and I should give it another go. So I am. But it is only now that I have been practising the long, long training runs that it all comes to back to me how 'orrible distance running is. But I have committed to run and will hopefully give it some purpose by raising money for a charity set up to prevent young people becoming homeless and helping them out of it if they do.

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