West Ham helps out at Fairlop

This afternoon members of West Ham Labour Party joined Ilford North activists and PPC Wes Streeting to door knock in Fairlop Ward.

West Ham has been "twinned" by the London Labour Party with Ilford North for the General Election Campaign.

While we will continue to work hard for the Labour vote in West Ham it makes sense for us to help local marginals.

The General election will be won and lost in the marginals. If Labour loses and the Tories are returned then everyone in West Ham will suffer. So we need to help out where we can. By coincidence I am the Agent in West Ham and Chair of London UNISON Labour Link. UNISON Labour Link has also been asked to support Ilford North.

After this photo we split into 2 canvass teams. West Hammers went with veteran Redbridge Labour activist, Councillor Roy Emmett. The canvass went pretty well for Labour. I was pleased again to find former Tory voters who were now considering supporting Labour in May. 

I had a frank but courteous conversation with a UKIP supporter who said she was voting for them because "its always in the papers about these immigrants who come over and claim benefits and abuse our health service...". I pointed out that although there was abuses which needed to be dealt with, the vast majority of immigrants come to this country to work and in fact the NHS would collapse without immigrants working for it. I also asked if she was aware that UKIP wanted to privatise the NHS if they won power? She didn't answer - but I think the penny dropped.

I use to know Barkingside very well but have not been there for years. At the end of the canvass we all stopped off at an old favourite of mine - "The Fairlop Oak" and over a swift pint or soft drink, tried to put the world to rights.

Nest session - meet outside Fairlop Station 2pm Saturday 25 October.

West Ham CLP October Update - Winning the General Election

Happy October! This email gives you information about our next all members meeting with shadow housing Minister Emma Reynolds, details about the TUC march and what we're doing in West Ham to make sure the next government is a Labour government.

Winning the General Election 

The 2015 general election will be won or lost in some of the key marginal seats around the country. We're paired with our near neighbours - Ilford North to get Wes Streeting elected as their Labour MP. Up until the new year we'll campaign in Ilford North on the second and fourth Saturday of the month - beginning this Saturday 11 October.

We'll meet at Fairlop station (on the Central line) at 2pm or 1.30pm at Forest Gate Youth Centre, Woodgrange Road, E7 0DH. Contact is John Gray.

Ilford North - future dates

11 October 2pm Fairlop stn (or 1.30pm Forest Gate Youth Centre)
25 October 2pm Fairlop stn (or 1.30pm Forest Gate Youth Centre if cars/drivers available)
8 November 2pm Fairlop stn (or 1.30pm Forest Gate Youth Centre if cars/drivers available)
22 November 2pm Fairlop stn (or 1.30pm Forest Gate Youth Centre if cars/drivers available)
6 December 2pm Fairlop stn (or 1.30pm Forest Gate Youth Centre if cars/drivers available)

We're also be hosting a phone bank on Wednesday evenings at 306 High St, Stratford. And we'll also help out our old friends in Thurrock constituency and we'll be spending a few Thursday evenings in Bermondsey and Old Southwark.

If you want to get rid of the Tory/Lib Dem government please come and join us - let Julianne know if you'd like to know more.

All members meeting (GC) 23 October 

Our guest speaker is Labour's shadow Minister for housing - Emma Reynolds MP. We hope you'll join us for what's likely to be a lively session. We meet 7.30pm at 306 High Street Stratford, E15 1AJ.

TUC march 18 October 

West Ham CLP will be joining the TUC march and rally. We'll be meeting outside Stratford station 10.30am on Saturday 18 October. Contact is John Whitworth. We hope we'll see you at GC or in Ilford North or at the TUC march.

Best wishes Julianne Marriott and Gordon Miller (West Ham CLP Vice Chairs)