Ed Miliband got more votes in England in 2015 than Tony Blair got in 2005.

Yes, I know about an increase in population and low turnout in 2005 but...

#justsaying.

Makes you think maybe it wasn't that bad...?

Hat tip Dr Éoin Clarke

The "undoing of Ed Miliband"? History will tell and why we really lost the election

This article here is a media hatchet job. Typical Guardian sneers and bile.

The truth is that we were never going to win. The defeat in 2010 was so massive that it would take more than 5 years to overcome.

Credit to Ed for keeping the Party together and making us credible. In 2020 voters will not give the Tories the benefit of the doubt again.

Yesterday evening we had a far reaching discussion at West Ham Ward meeting about the result and the future of the Party.  Afterwards we carried on these discussions with colleagues from different wards.  These were my views :-  

• Share of Vote for Labour in 2010 was 29%. The worse result since 1922.

• There has only been once in 100 years a one term British Government (and that was February 1974 after the 1973 Oil crisis, coal strike and 3 day week)

• Nationalism in Scotland and fear of SNP amongst floating Tory voters

• Ruthless Tory Party machine decimates Liberals & attacks our financial record

• It was an international crisis but the economic crash in 2008 took place on Labour's watch. 

• It is too slow, patchy and uneven but we are finally coming out of recession

• Wages are starting to rise, inflation is very low, unemployment down and house prices high

• Who could have predicted the collapse in energy markets - it's  now 25% cheaper to fill up my car

• as always in British politics "its the economy stupid". 

West Ham Ward Councillor report

This is the report (below) I presented at tonight's West Ham Ward monthly meeting.

After the Q&A we then had a fascinating debate about the General election result and the future direction of the Labour Party.

Afterwards some of us went to a joint ward informal social with comrades from Forest Gate North and South at Nando's in Stratford.

Ward meeting 4 June 2015 

"Due to the general election we have not met for some time. During the election campaign I was the Agent for our Parliamentary candidate, Lyn Brown and for our CLP Chair, Charlene McLean, who was the Labour candidate for the by-election in Stratford and New Town.

We were of course devastated by the result of the General election and a possible 5 more years of Tory rule. However, Lyn did manage to increase her majority by 5.7% and Charlene was also re-elected with the biggest vote ever for a Newham Councillor.

Many West Ham activists also played an important role in overturning a 5000 tory majority in Ilford North. We are also currently working in Tower Hamlets for the election of John Biggs AM as elected Mayor which will take place next Thursday June 11.

As Agent I am currently finishing off the Parliamentary and By-election expenses.

Last week we had an all members meeting for the selection of a Labour Candidate for London Mayor 2017. At that meeting, in my personal capacity, I seconded the nomination of Sadiq Khan and spoke in favour of him.

 Due to the election many Council and forum meetings have been cancelled. However, I have attended a number of meetings including the Council AGM and attended Housing Residents Scrutiny where I was able to get it agreed that Council officers should attend meetings of local Tenant Resident Associations if there is a special issue. I am trying to help organise such a meeting for Leather Gardens TRA.

I have continued to carry out regular surgery and respond to complaints. Housing, ASB and Parking remain the top 3 topics. Next month I will resume making a full written Councillor report to the ward.

Councillor John Gray. 

So we have to be "Left" economically and "Right" socially to win in 2020?

Some more thoughts on May 7th and the aftermath. 

First check out this post in TouchStone by Newham's finest, Nigel Stanley, on the post election day TUC survey.

Nigel argues that this evidence (of voters who considered Labour but ended up voting for someone else) suggests that Labour is not seen as being hostile to aspiration but lost out on economic trust and fear of SNP.

Nor were we seen as too left wing or too tough on business. In fact we were seen as too soft and should even have increased taxes more on the rich?

However, it is clear that Labour was punished for not being "tough" enough on welfare and immigration.

Finally, I retweeted yesterday Tony McNulty's comment "History is written by those who turn up. Turnout 18-24 43%  65+ 78%  Home Owners 77%  Private Renters 51%  AB 75% DE 57%" (IpsosMori)

As you can see from the chart that older and more wealthy voters supported the Tories by a wide mark. The young and the poorest, who don't vote as much supported Labour.

I actually think it is too early to decide the future of the Party until we fully understand why we lost. This will take time. 

Why we lost and what are we going to do about it?

) 

Labour have a mountain to climb (see very subtle picture left) but we should not in my view be totally beating ourselves up over our performance on Thursday.

Everyone has an opinion nowadays and these are my views for better or for worse. 

Firstly, I don't think we can condemn voters for exercising their democratic choice no matter how wrong we feel that choice was. 

Labour was well beaten nationally and we need to accept this and move on. 

In my view and with of course the benefit of hindsight, it was clear that we would never win this time. Only once in 100 years (Feb 1974) has the UK had a one term government voted out. Voters nearly always give our governments a second chance. There is also most importantly  "It's the economy stupid" factor. Wages are now eventually rising, prices are low, fuel and energy costs in particular have crashed, mortgage interest rates also at record lows and house prices are rising. So people thought "Why risk all this?"

I think we should stress that things are not all doom and gloom and that a Tory majority of 12 does not mean they will be able to do anything they want. We should celebrate our successes locally in Newham (thumping big majorities for both MP's) and in Ilford North.

We should all plan to argue, campaign and resist whenever possible and practical. We will win on some things and for those things we will lose, we must be able to lay the blame squarely on the Tories.

We must also point out that next year London must lead the way for an alternative set of economic and political values by electing a progressive Labour Mayor and Assembly. This must be our priority.

On a wider point I also think that Labour needs to win the battle of ideas with the public on centre left politics. It is no use saying we will make the NHS better or build more housing without asking those who can afford it for more money in taxes.  People know this and unless they know where the money is coming from then you run the risk of someone claiming this doesn't really add up.  

The West Ham Count 2015 at the Olympic Velopark

I have mixed emotions looking at this collage. On the one hand we had a fantastic victory in West Ham that night with our Labour MP, Lyn Brown, being re-elected with a majority of 27,986 and 68.4% (increase of 5.8% from 2010) share of the vote.  Charlene McLean was also re-elected as a Stratford & New Town Labour Councillor with the highest ever vote in the history of Newham Council.

Yet we clearly lost the national General election.

This morning I had my Councillor surgery in my ward and a young mum with her son came to see me. She has an eviction notice since she cannot afford the rent on her privately rented 2 bedroom flat. She has always worked for the NHS but due to benefit caps, she now cannot afford to live in one of the least expensive parts of London. She has even been refused access to so called "intermediate Social Housing" since she does not earn £40k per year.

What on earth will happen to her and her son under a future Tory government committed to billions of pounds of further spending cuts? 

Ilford North snapshot - May 7th

There was loads of Labour Party and trade union supporters in Ilford North on Thursday, so this is only a limited snapshot of what went on that day.

Westhammers were there at 5am to deliver reminder leaflets (followed by a well deserved breakfast in the Fairlop Oak) and out "on the knocker" and tele-canvassing for the rest of the day until 9.30pm. I was in West Ham in the morning and later went out with a number of Ilford North teams during the day and early evening. I put a £10 bet on for Wes Streeting to win at Ilford North (and now look forward to the winnings).

At one house I called at an elderly man answered the door and told me that this was the first time he had ever voted Labour. I asked if he minded telling me why? He said that it was because the Tories had said that they would force housing charities to sell their homes. This was unforgivable since it would bankrupt them and further reduce the supply of affordable homes.

On Barkingside High Street, a young woman stopped us and told us she was homeless and would we build more Council homes if elected? I told her that Labour is committed to building a million new homes including Council, Housing association and Private if elected.

I was pleased that I was with fellow UNISON members in every team I went on.

There was even a  direct West Ham connection since at one polling station, an elderly man bought along a copy of his grandfather's manifesto, who had stood as a Labour & trade union candidate for Plaistow ward in the 1897 West Ham municipal election. I have been sent a scan of this manifesto by a UNISON organiser and will post on it soon.

Wes Streeting overturned a 5,000 Tory majority to be elected as the Labour MP for Ilford North. It was thrilling news when we heard it at the West Ham Count.

In the collage there is a great picture of Wes and his agent (aka indie rock star) Matt Goddin, who is a top organiser (whose much better half Simian was also an excellent if somewhat reluctant canvass team leader on the day)

Vote Labour 7 May 2015 - and lets get rid of this Tory Government

Vote for fairer taxes 
such as a Bankers tax, £2 million Mansion tax & a 50p tax rate for the rich,
Vote to abolish
the Bedroom tax and the Health & Social Care Act (NHS privatisation),
Vote to increase
the number of nurses and faster treatment for cancer and access to your GPs
Vote to get rid of 
exploitive zero hour contracts and poverty pay.
Vote to build 
a million homes, regulate the private rental sector and cap rent rises.
Vote to end
excessive employment tribunal fees & give workers a voice on executive pay
Vote to freeze 
energy bills, a £3000 reduction in tuition fees & job guarantee for the young
Vote to stop
Free schools, increasing primary class sizes and employing unqualified teachers
Vote for 
Free child care and a national care service for all.

If you support the policies above then vote Labour and remember that in a marginal, any vote that is not for Labour, is a vote for the Tories and Cameron as Prime minister.

We want what is best for the many and not for the few. We are Labour.

Final Count down for Labour (& Lucky Rainbows in Ilford North)

I am not of course superstitious in the slightest (touch wood) but the during the final pre election Ilford North doorstep tonight, our team of mostly Westhammers, got a little wet and blown around by the wind but we also saw some stunning lucky Rainbows.

Just saying.

Excellent response tonight. Lots of "thumbs up" and people saying "good luck" but it will be incredibly close. Every single vote will count. 

Tomorrow - Polling Day!

Collage from campaigning yesterday evening in East Village, Stratford led by Council candidate Charlene Mclean, ably assisted by Young Pioneer Esme.

This is the email Charlene has sent this morning to all West Ham Labour Party members as our CLP Chair.

This is just a quick reminder about Polling Day! 

Labour can't compete with the Tories on donations, instead we win elections because we have thousands of volunteers going out speaking to voters. If you can spare any time on Thursday (tomorrow!) to help get a Labour MP elected in Ilford North, one of London's 12 marginal seats, you'll be helping us win the election. 

 If you can help please either: Let Ilford North know what time you can make it via their website - they'll be in touch to let you know where they need your help Make your own way to West Ham's campaign base in Ilford North - 6 Aintree Crescent, IG6 2HD anytime between 10am and 9pm (nearest station is Fairlop on the Central Line) 

 Meet fellow West Ham members at either 4pm or 6pm outside Stratford station (near the sign) to travel together to Ilford North For more info text or call Julianne or John (or email westhamlabour@gmail.com). 

And if you're away from East London tomorrow scroll right down to the bottom to see the other 11 London seats that need your help. Have a great day. And don't forget to vote... 

Best wishes Charlene 
Charlene McLean Chair of West Ham Labour Party

Wednesday 6th May - last day of the campaign Canvassing and telephone canvassing 6.30pm - 8.30pm Meeting at 306 High Street Stratford (opposite Stratford High Street DLR). Led by Alan.

lford North Canvassing 5.30pm/6pm - meet outside Stratford station at 5.30 or Ilford North Campaign Office, 153b Beehive Lane, IG4 5DX nearest tube Gants Hill at 6pm.
Julianne

London marginals 

Battersea, Sean Lawless, 020 7223 5306, 177 Lavender Hill, Battersea, SW11 5TE Bermondsey and

Old Southwark, Martin Tiedeman, 020 7394 6037, 46 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 4TR

Brent Central, James May, 020 8451 6560, 156 High Road, Willesden, NW10 2PB

Brentford and Isleworth, James Swindlehurst, 020 8581 3646, 367 Chiswick High Road, W4 4AG 

Croydon Central, James Goldstone, 020 8760 0109, 131B Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, CR0 6BE 

Ealing Central and Acton, Seph Brown, 020 8992 5614, Ruskin Hall, 16 Church Road, W3 8PP 

Enfield North, Aimy Saunders, 020 8367 3396, Celbic Hall, 77 Lancaster Road, Enfield EN2 0DW 

Finchley and Golders Green, Becca Lyon, 020 8883 0411, 38 Church Lane, East Finchley, London, N2 8DT

Harrow East, Luke Francis, 020 8427 2100, 18 Byron Rd, Wealdstone, Harrow HA3 7ST

Hendon, Jacob Lister, 020 8202 2145, 79 The Burroughs, Hendon NW4 4AX

Hornsey and Wood Green, Joanna Christophides, 020 8340 7362, 28 Middle Lane, London, N8 8PL

Five years of pain, very little gain - Vote Labour to avoid more of the same

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis "tells it as it is".

After five years of pain there has been very little gain. If the Tories are re-elected on Thursday, there will be more years of painful cuts, hitting the the poorest areas the most.

If you are a member of UNISON, I would suggest that you trust your union and trust your General Secretary

So Vote Labour. 

Bank Holiday Green Street, Harlow, Stratford & Ilford North

Both West and East Ham Labour met up today at Green Street in a sea of red for a final stall with our Parliamentary candidates, Lyn Brown & Stephen Timms.

Life time Labour supporter, 92 year old Second World War hero, Ron Higgins, who survived 32 missions as a gunner on Lancaster Bombers (the average lifespan for aircrew was only 20 missions) came with his family to show support. Ron in his youth also played for West Ham and Leyton Orient FC and later was a trade union convenor in the docks.  We worked out he first voted in a General election in 1945. He remembers Will Thorne, the founder of the GMB and local MP until 1945.

Stratford & New Town Candidate, Charlene Mclean (& beautiful baby) was also there to leaflet and talk to residents.

Newham Women's Forum were out supporting Suzy Stride in marginal Harlow and after the stall finished activists went out to door knock in Stratford and Ilford North.

Will the NHS be there for you and your family after five more years of Tory government?

Nope, so Vote Labour

"Cutting the boroughs that can't afford to be cut" Care for it? Vote for it

Chair of UNISON Housing Associations Branch and Service Group Executive member, Tony Power, tells it as it is.

Ilford North is a "very, very, very marginal seat. It's on a knife edge"

Ilford North needs all the help it can get on polling day (and the run up). Volunteer here http://www.wesstreeting.org/polling_day_2015

Tomorrow (Sunday 3 May) at 2pm West Ham Labour are joining comrades from East Ham to campaign for Wes.

West Hammers Meet 1.30pm at Stratford station ticket barrier or at Ilford North Campaign Office, 153b Beehive Lane, IG4 5DX near Gants Hill tube at 2pm.

Can your family afford another 5 years of Tory government?

No, so vote Labour

Care for it? VOTE FOR IT.

Hat tip UNISON. Vote Labour

Campaigning for West Ham, Stratford & Thurrock

Picture collage of West Ham Labour Party campaigning for Polly Billington in the marginal seat of Thurrock and in Stratford & New Town ward.

In Stratford we managed to get into the new residential blocks either side of the High Street and were able to see some fantastic views over the area and the Queen Elizabeth Park.

West Ham are campaigning tonight in Ilford North from 6pm (Gants Hill HQ) and Stratford on Friday at 4pm. 

How do you know whether to Vote Tory or not? New scientific research reveals all

Check out this completely neutral, unbiased and extremely scientific flow chart on how to decide whether or not you should vote Tory. 

West Ham & East Ham Labour Campaigning Weekend

This is another picture collage of West Ham (and East Ham) Labour out campaigning this weekend.

There is a Stratford & New Town ward team in Abbey Lane, E15. While East and West Ham activists were out Sunday morning with Ilford South, Mike Gapes. In the afternoon, Stephen Twigg was at Ilford North to show support. I went door knocking with Tower Hamlets Councillors, Josh Peck, Danny Hassell and Redbridge Councillor, Stuart Bellwood.

We went to Roding ward where we a pretty good response. I spoke to a number of residents who despite being in their 20's were first time voters intending to vote in this election and those who were genuinely undecided who to vote for and were up for a  political conversation.

At one home Danny knocked at an enormous Rottweiler dog charged out of the doorway despite being called back by its owner, but after a few dodgy seconds we realised that it was very friendly and in fact as soft as butter.

Back at the Ilford North Campaign base I spoke to a fellow North Walian about Labour chances in Clwyd (North Wales) and than ran into more West Hammers returning from another door knocking team.

I couldn't resist including the fanatic picture of Labour Leader, Ed Miliband and the Chester Hen Party (top right) nor the picture of baby Juniper (daughter of Cllr Farah Nazeer) with the Kinnocks in Hampstead & Kilburn.