West Ham Labour volunteers on Polling Day 8 June

On Saturday I sent off my postal vote (see right). Tonight I have been ringing some of the 225 West Ham Party members and residents who have volunteered to help on polling day. We have also sent them this email below. We need to win these marginals!!!

Dear Friend

Thank you for signing up to help the Labour party in the 2017 General Election. 
We're asking you to help us in two places where the result may be really close: Ilford North and Westminster North.

Ilford North - Click here for info and to sign up to help in Ilford North

Westminster North - Click here for info and to sign up to help in Westminster North

And if you're really keen - Ilford North are asking for volunteers to deliver leaflets at 5.30am! (click here)

 Thank you again for signing up to help. In 2015 Labour only won in Ilford North by 589 votes. Every single vote really does count so if you're able to help you will be making a real difference.

Thank you

Julianne Marriott
Vice Chair, West Ham Labour Party

25 Days until UK General Election: On the knocker in Forest Gate & Ilford North

Yesterday started with my Newham Councillor surgery in Vicarage Lane Community Centre, West Ham. A constituent came to see me about a pretty appalling disrepair case in a Housing Association shared ownership block. I have been in touch already about this case and have written to the association asking for a site visit with an officer and a surveyor to do a  joint visit.

Another constituent came to see me about Newham Council organising a sports competition between a team representing the Commonwealth and another for the rest of the world. Which is an ambitious aspiration but not one, alas, that back bench local Councillors will have much influence over.

After the surgery I met up with Forest Gate North activists for a Labour doorstep session. We started door knocking in Curwen Avenue, E7, where I used to live many years ago.

I had some interesting political conversations on the doorstep, especially on Brexit and the future of the Labour Party. Forest Gate, on the whole, is very pro "Remain". More than one person was supportive of our Candidate, Lyn Brown, for voting against the triggering of Article 50 but very critical of the poorly supported official Labour campaign in Newham for "Remain". I had to agree and point out that this was despite her best efforts and other Newham Labour Remain supporters. The blame for the poor local result lies elsewhere in Newham.

Our candidate, Lyn Brown, this morning was at a well supported stall at Green Street and and had a number of community meetings including one with local East European residents and East Ham Labour candidate, Stephen Timms.

In the afternoon I went to Ilford North marginal which has a super friendly and efficient campaign office. If you have never been canvassing before I would recommend you go there. They will explain what you have to do and what are the key issues and make sure you are sent out with a supportive team leader.

ILFORD NORTH
11am, 2pm and 6pm every day.

Meeting 12a High View Parade, Woodford Av, IG4 5EP (a 12 min walk from Gants Hill stn on the Central Line - exit 1). Turn up and say you're from West Ham (and they'll look after you if you haven't campaigned before).

In Ilford North I came across some evidence of UKIP and Conservative switchers to Labour. Including one former Tory supporter, whose husband is suffering from dementia and who told me in great detail how much she now "hated" the Conservatives for the lack of support for her husband and the cutting of his benefits.

The Labour candidate, Wes Streeting,  was widely respected as a hard working Constituency MP and supported by residents who will normally vote for another Party in local elections.

By one of those strange coincidences, this morning I was canvassing with Joshua Garfield in Forest Gate and this afternoon with his Mum, former Newham Councillor, Judith Garfield, in Ilford North. Both of them are expert canvassers. Must be in the blood.

West Hammers at Home and Away (Ilford North)

Picture collage from yesterday's (Saturday) Labour campaigning in West Ham and Ilford North. In the morning we had street stalls in in Forest Gate and Canning Town, as well as canvass teams in Plaistow North, Plaistow South and Custom House.

Our West Ham Labour Parliamentary candidate,  Lyn Brown, was there to support the stalls and canvass teams.

I helped organise the Forest Gate stall. We handing out balloons and leaflets on Labour Housing plans for real "affordable" homes to rent or buy. This is a key issue in West Ham where property prices and rents are ridiculously high and completely unaffordable.

We need to get the message out that the Labour Party commits to building one million houses (half Council homes), controlling rent rises and regulating all landlords if elected.

The stall went well as you can expect in such a strong Labour area even though there was a couple of people who thought that shouting insults as they walked by constituted political debate. The best response to this is to politely thank them for expressing their views.

In the afternoon a number of West Hammers with Lyn Brown went to canvass in the marginal Ilford North. Others went to Westminster North and Croydon.

By coincidence my West Ham team was sent to Fulwell Avenue in Barkingside. My wife, Gill, is a Barkingside girl, born and bred, who was brought up in Fullwell Avenue. I can remember this area then being strongly Jewish, many of whom had originally moved here from Tower Hamlets and Newham. Now the Jewish diaspora has inpart moved on and been replaced by a new wave of East End immigration.

There was very strong Labour and local support for our candidate, Wes Streeting. Residents who admitted they were not natural Labour voters, agreed that Wes had done a good job as their MP and they would be supporting him.

At the end of the canvass (warning this is a long up and then down route) we enjoyed ice creams and lolly ices (see photo "Fulwell News").  Result!

(hat tip to JM and various folk I have stolen copy & photos from)

40 days to go - Campaigning in Forest Gate North & Ilford North

Yesterday we ordered our first West Ham CLP freepost leaflet (the relief). Today I had the Board for a team of local Party activists in Forest Gate North. There was 4 of us and I asked each of them to visit a particular address and ask the residents their voting intentions in the General Election. I then recorded the result and will input the information into the Labour Party data bank called "contact creator".

I was really pleased to note that there were two street stalls and at least 5 ward canvass teams out today in the West Ham Parliamentary seat. Members were also at the Westminster North and Ilford North marginals.

There seems to be a "North" theme to our campaigning today.

In Forest Gate the canvassing results were frankly excellent with solid support and many former Party supporters returning to the Labour fold.  As always some do not like the Labour leadership or certain policies but there was an overwhelming support for Labour and also for Jeremy Corbyn.

To make things interesting ,we had a team competition on how many "Vote Labour" posters we could hand out to supporters to put in their windows. 16 residents accepted the posters (Roger was the top canvasser with 9). We also gave out voter registration and postal vote application forms.

In the afternoon I joined our MP, Lyn Brown, and other West Hammers to campaign in the Ilford North marginal. While there was a difference in the level of support it is clear that the new Labour MP for Ilford North, Wes Streeting, is a popular and respected as an active and hard working champion of the seat.

I was mentoring an activist who had never been out door knocking before and unfortunately the first person he spoke to said he was Tory supporter! Most were not.

At one family sized house we called at we discovered that 16 people lived there and the private landlord charged them all £400 per month.

Overall a good day.

Tomorrow morning I am out again with Forest Gate North. We are meeting at Coffee7 for 10.45, setting off at 11am. Then 2pm at Ilford North Campaign HQ, 12a High View Parade, Woodford Avenue, IG4 5EP (a 12 min walk from Gants Hill stn on the Central Line).

GE2017: West Hammers in Forest Gate South & Ilford North

After a week in North Wales celebrating my Mum's 76th, visiting family (and sneaked in a couple of hill walks) I drove back to London yesterday and today started campaigning in the Ilford North marginal then met up with West Ham CLP officers to agree our campaign plan, timetable and budget.

West Ham members had been out last week on the local campaign trail and in Ilford North on Saturday as well.

I was with our MP Lyn Brown (and Cara - her Labour attack dog) while in Ilford North. The response we got this afternoon in a Redbridge Tory ward was overwhelmingly positive. The current Labour MP, Wes Streeting, who beat the Tories by some 500 votes to take the seat in 2015 was praised by constituents for being an active and hard working constituency Member Parliament.

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)

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. 

Final weekend of campaigning in Stratford, West Ham & Ilford North

It's been a hectic few days and about to get even more busy. On Thursday and Friday we were out door knocking for Charlene and Lyn, in Stratford Ward, with comrades from East Ham. It was fascinating to see the original archway for the "Queen Mary's hospital for the East End" (1861-1983) which is now a modern housing development off Byrant Street, E15.

Saturday there was a stall in Stratford High Street then door knocking in Ilford North and Stratford. Other West Ham wards have also been door knocking and campaigning locally.

See the plaque in wall (top middle of collage). We came across this while out canvassing in Aldbourgh Hatch. We were all curious about who was "Maureen" and why is she credited with starting the estate in in March 1963?

Today (Sunday) West Ham activists joined East Ham in Ilford North, which has been described by LSE Professor, Tony Travers, as  "a very, very, very marginal seat. It's on a knife edge". If you can help out at Ilford North then volunteer here http://www.wesstreeting.org/polling_day_2015

West Hammers have been active not only in Ilford North, but also in Thurrock and other marginals. Tomorrow morning Women forum members will also be in Harlow.

Remember, if we don't win the marginals, then we will not have a Labour Government and Cameron will be your Prime Minister.
 

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.

West Ham Labour "On the Knocker" in Stratford & Ilford North

Picture update of campaigning activity by West Ham Labour members in Stratford & Ilford North. We have been door knocking, telecanvassing and delivering leaflets all week. The new blocks of flats in Stratford are notoriously difficult to get into and speak to people. We managed to get lists of Party members and supporters to ring their intercoms and let us in.

On Tuesday evening we were in East Village, which is the site of the former Olympic athletes village now converted into private & social housing. It looks like well designed and good quality housing with plenty of open spaces. The art work in the collage is in the foyer of the private owned and rented blocks. It is more than a pity that the social housing blocks appeared to have none.

Today is International Labour Day and it would be appropriate to remind developers and social landlords about "Bread and Roses".

Ilford North, Stratford, Canning Town, Ilford North

This collage is a snapshot of campaigning during the last 48 hours. On Thursday evening I went to Ilford North and was sent out with Ross, Jeremy and Glen to speak to the postal voters at the Tiptree Estate. Which is a very well managed and beautifully designed Council housing estate in Clayhall. Lots of safe, green spaces for kids to play.

On Friday evening I was in Maryland, Stratford with by-election candidate, Charlene McLean. This was one of the slowest canvasses I have ever been on since seemingly everyone wanted to stop, speak and chat to Charlene and local Councillor "Red" Terry Paul. One resident even went off and posted her postal ballot paper for Charlene while we watched.

Today we had a lively stall in Canning Town with Lyn Brown, our West Ham Labour Parliamentary Candidate and supporters. It was heart warming to see local residents queuing up to shake Lyn's hand and wish her luck in the general election.

After the stall we went off to canvass in Stratford or Ilford North. I ended up in Ilford North with Cllr John Whitworth and we were given a "car round" to canvass and found ourselves out in the rural part of the constituency.  The results were as good as we get in the more urban areas. People are fed up of this Government and just want the Tories out. 

Easter Saturday at Ilford North

Picture collage is from this afternoon's campaigning for Wes Streeting as the future Labour MP for Ilford North.

We had 5 West Hammers (and 1 East Hammer) with us while Walhamstow PPC, Stella Creasy, was also there with her local activists to support Wes.

Beforehand the Green Street West team had been door knocking for West Ham PPC Lyn Brown.

All the Hammers went off as one canvass team, ably led by Aisha Siddiqah.

I knocked on one door and a man wearing work overalls opened it. He took one look at me and rolled his eyes and shook his head. I said that I obviously hadn't made his day by knocking at his door this afternoon. He said no, he was just tired, since he had been up since 3am that morning for work as a lorry driver. He admitted he was also a life long Conservative voter. We had a brief chat about work (I used to have a Class 1 HGV driving licence) and I left him to have his well deserved sleep.

Soon afterwards I knocked at another door and a young women answered and she seemed really pleased and interested to see me and listen to what I had to say (unfortunately, this is not a common response I must admit. Even when I was much younger).

I explained to her how important this election and how we must get Wes elected. She said that she had never voted before but did intend to vote this time. She looked quite young and I wasn't even sure she was over 18, so I asked how old she was? She said 26. I asked why she had never voted beforehand and she said that she didn't really know but she will definitely, definitely vote this time.

Back at Ilford North HQ I met up with top Musicians union activist and Redbridge Councillor, Barbara White (see top right of collage).

We actually had a good door knock session and identified many Labour supporters in quite a Tory ward.

According to YouGov the result in Ilford North is "too close to call". It is absolutely imperative that Labour supporters move out of their local comfort zones and if they live in secure Labour seats then they must go and support our candidates in marginal seats such as Ilford North.

If we win in the marginals we will form a Labour Government on May 8th. If we don't win the marginals, then Labour will be in opposition again and our MPs will have little or no power to champion and protect their constituents. QED

West Hammers helping out at Ilford North

After our street stall today in Stratford many West Ham Labour Party members went off to canvass  in the marginal seat of Ilford North to support Wes Streeting as its future Labour MP.

We were split between two large local canvass teams. It was a little cold but mostly sunshine and blue skies. In our team we had a little bit of light hearted banter with some builders refurbishing a house about who they should vote for in the General Election. One of them claimed he was "posh" so he had to vote Tory. I said since they were hard working Labourers they had to vote for the Party called "Labour" Not sure they were totally convinced.

I knocked on one door and an elderly lady answered and explained that she was looking after her grandchildren while her daughter and her husband was out.  I asked whether she knew if they voted Labour, she looked at me with surprise and said of course they would be voting Labour for the sake of their children. I had to tell her that I couldn't agree more.

Afterwards we had a political debrief in the "New Fairlop Oak" in Barkingside (also known as "well deserved drink and bite to eat").

As always considering we were campaigning in a ward with 3 Tory councillors, the response was very good. I have also never seen any opposition canvassers in this ward in the 7 months we have been helping out.

West Ham Executive Committee approved this week a comprehensive campaigning plan inside and out of the Constituency leading up to the General Election on May 7th. We are all going to be busy, busy, busy.

(hat tip photos Matt)

West Ham Labour Party Stall - Stratford 2015

Today we had a West Ham Labour Party stall outside Stratford Shopping centre, giving out the ever popular Labour Party balloons to prospective voters under the age of 10 and leaflets to their parents on Labour plans for rent controls and protect the NHS.

We had a very positive response with people coming up asking for Labour Party posters to put up on their windows, telling us that we must get rid of the Tories and how they will always vote Labour.

There was some good conversations with residents and shoppers on key political issues and we picked up case work for local Councillors and MP's. 

After we finished the stall many of us went off to "door knock" at the marginal seat of Ilford North for Wes Streeting. 

"Stand Up For Labour" at Theatre Royal Stratford East: Laughter and Politics

Hat tip to West Ham Labour blog for most of the above pictures from last nights hugely successful "Stand Up For Labour" comedy fund raiser. The event was sponsored by Greater London UNISON Link and raised money for the Ilford North and West Ham General Election campaigns.

West Ham MP, Lyn Brown, started the evening by welcoming everyone to the packed theatre. Brilliant acts, Arthur Smith, Sara Pascoe and Patrick Monahan were compered by Paul Rickets.

It was a shame that Labour Stalwart, Harry Leslie Smith, was not well enough to attend. West Ham Labour Treasurer, the quiet and retiring, John Saunders, received a bottle of wine from Paul Rickets for being the longest serving Party member present (he joined the Labour Party in 1959 when Hugh Gaitskill was the leader)

At the finish, Ilford North Labour candidate, Wes Streeting, gave a passionate speech about the absolute importance of getting rid of the Tories on May 7th.

Many thanks to the organisers in West Ham Labour Party and "Stand Up for Labour" for all their work. The staff at the Theatre Royal were as usual, absolutely fantastic - polite, helpful and totally professional.

I understand that this was one of the biggest ever "Stand Up For Labour" events and let us see if we can make this an annual show in West Ham.

(see middle picture of Lyn Brown MP, West Streeting, Stephen Timms MP and Mike Gapes MP with West Ham CLP Chair, Charlene McLean)

Stand Up For Labour: 9 March - Theatre Royal, Stratford East

Only one week to go before the West Ham and Ilford North CLP "Stand Up For Labour" comedy event taking place at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East on Monday 9 March. Most tickets have now gone so click here to reserve your place on line before it is too late.

West Ham & Ilford North Valentine's Day Labour doorstep

Picture from our Valentine "on the knocker" for Labour candidate in Ilford North, Wes Streeting.

West Ham Labour had two canvass teams working with local activists in Fairlop ward. While Lyn Brown MP ran a telephone canvassing bank at the Ilford North HQ.

We had a pretty successful canvass.  With a hard core Tory voter telling us they are impressed with the hard work and dedication by Wes and his activists.

I was pleased to meet one voter who said she had been luke warm towards Labour but had been impressed at what she saw on TV last week when Ed Miliband made our education policy launch.

I knocked on one door and a young girl aged about 11 opened it and I asked to speak to her Mum or Dad. She said she would find out and closed the door and after a few minutes she came back and told me "mum said no one was in". Fair enough!

"Stand Up For Labour" Theatre Royal Stratford East Monday 9 March

West Ham and Ilford North CLPs are hosting that biggest ever Stand Up for Labour event at Stratford’s famous Theatre Royal on 9 March. You can book your seats here to attend a fantastic night of comedy to raise money for Labour.

Top comedians Sarah Pascoe and Arthur Smith, famous for both stand-up and TV and radio panel shows including QI, are already confirmed, along with Live from the Apollo compere Stephen K Amos. And we’ll soon be able to reveal our very famous headline act…

The night is hosted by Lyn Brown, MP for West Ham, and Labour’s candidate for Ilford North Wes Streeting. We also have a special guest speaker, NHS campaigner Harry Leslie Smith, who received a standing ovation at last year’s Labour conference talking about his life and childhood before the welfare state.

This fantastic night of comedy is all about raising money for Labour’s election campaigns in West Ham and Ilford North (our key battleground in East London).

It’s going to be a brilliant sell-out event. Book your seats NOW online or by calling the box office on 020 8534 0310. Tickets are £20/£12.50 (with concessions).

Friends and family and non Labour members are very welcome – although the content might not be suitable for the right leaning…

Hope to see you raising a laugh to raise money for Labour on Monday 9 March.

hat tip West Ham Labour

"Rights at Work" UNISON Labour Link event at House of Commons

This is a fantastic picture from last weeks' London UNISON Labour Link "Rights at Work" event for our members who live in Ilford North CLP. The event was organised by Lilian Greenwood MP (who use to be a UNISON national officer and is a great friend of our union). We had speeches on "Rights at Work" by guest speakers Chuka Umunna MP, Ilford North Candidate Wes Streeting and Shadow London Minister, Sadiq Khan. West Ham MP, Lyn Brown, also came to speak to members and their guests.

Workers in this country need to understand that the Tories in the last 5 years have decimated our employment rights. They have doubled the amount of time that an employer has to get rid of you without you having any rights for unfair dismissal; they have watered down TUPE protection if you are transferred to another employer who wants to slash your terms and conditions - and if you want justice at work, it could cost you at least £1200 up front, to even appear before an employment tribunal. 

Yesterday evening I chaired an "Equality at Work" event sponsored by London Labour Link for our LGBT members at the House of Commons which I will post upon soon.

West Ham at Wes' Birthday Canvass

Today is the birthday of Labour candidate for Ilford North Parliamentary seat, Wes Streeting.

So instead of giving him a well deserved day off, his campaign team designated it as "Wes Birthday Canvass Day" and arranged 3 separate #labourdoorstep sessions.

West Ham went to the 2pm session and took part in a number of campaign teams, while our MP, Lyn Brown, ran a telephone canvass session in the CLP HQ (Lyn is out of door knocking action at moment due to a serious knee injury).

My team was led by Newham's youngest Councillor, Seyi Akiwowo, who enjoyed bossing us about and sending us hither and thither. After we finished I had an unusual telephone conversation with a West Ham CLPer, who asked me if I remembered where they had parked their car? (they eventually found it).

Double click to enlarge picture and check out the top right of collage for photo of show stealer, Cara.