"On the knocker for Labour" in Custom House with Lyn Brown MP & Unmesh Desai AM

 

This afternoon I went out door knocking with our MP, Lyn Brown and our East London Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai. 

We split into 2 teams. One led by local Councillor, James Beckles, with Party activist John Morris and the other by myself and activist Martin Warne. 

It was cold but dry. I was using the Labour Party doorstep app so did not speak to that many residents but it was clear from feedback that we had significant support for Labour but a few had reservations. Our former leader, Jeremy Corbyn was brought up as a reason by some why they lost faith in Labour as a potential alternative government  but it was good that Keir Starmer was getting positive comments

But the only whelming reaction was that our residents were pleased that we were there knocking on their doors in December, listening and talking to them about their concerns.

Afterwards some of us went for a drink in the historic Black Lion pub in Plaistow and we shared some sea food from the local stall. The pub was busy with West Ham FC fans, who were obviously happy with the home win over Chelsea FC. 

I had a little bit of  jellied eel, which was tasty but has a very strong flavour (the jelly puts me off) so I stuck to the pint of prawns and crab sticks. 

Chipping Barnet is dead heat between Labour & Tories

This afternoon I went to support Labour Candidate, Emma Whysall, in the most narrow Tory held marginal in London, Chipping Barnet. Emma lost by only 353 votes in 2017 to hard line Tory Minister, Theresa Villiers.

Fellow West Hammer, John Morris was there as was UNISON Labour Link national officer, Mark Ferguson (a local resident).

Emma gave activists a stirring speech before we went out to canvass. The latest polls are putting Labour and Tories head to head at 41% each. (usual warning about accuracy of polls)

I was a "board runner" today with a team of 3 other Labour Party activists. I don't mind doing the board (telling other members of the team which homes to call upon and recording the result) but I prefer knocking on doors and speaking to people.

We had some good results and were able to identify new Labour voters and reaffirm existing supporters who are still Labour. So lots of supporters to "knock up"on polling day and encourage to vote.

Check out future canvass events for "most marginal seat in London" Chipping Barnet here. I was really impressed how organised and friendly everyone was.   

"On the knocker" in Sloane Square

This afternoon I went to campaign in the Tory held marginal in the Cities and Westminster seat. We met outside Pimlico Station and after a short speech by our impressive Labour candidate, Gordon Nardell, I went off with a canvass team with fellow West Hammer, John Morris and my old GLA Assembly/UNISON comrade, Murad Qureshi.

We were sent to canvass for Labour on the Westminster side of Sloane Square, which as you can imagine was very different from the canvass I went to yesterday in a largely working class part of Thurrock in Essex. The average price of homes for sale in Sloane Square is over £1.3 million. The average price for Thurrock was £361,000.

Westminster also has some of the most deprived areas in London.

This part of Cities and Westminster was not, I freely admit, a particularly "Corbyn or Labour Friendly" part of London but we did identify new Labour supporters and, of course, the purpose of canvassing at this stage is also to identify who are non supporters, so that we do not waste any further resources on contacting them.

I really enjoy going to different areas and being challenged as a Labour supporter and, as usual, nearly everyone we spoke to was polite and not aggressive or confrontational. Even if they do not agree with you, the vast majority of people I have spoken to while canvassing over the years are actually pleased that you have come to their door to seek their views (even if they don't want to actually speak to you).

My best conversation of the session was with an elderly retired senior military officer, who said he didn't normally vote since he has spent most of his life outside this country but the one and only time he did vote, he had voted for Labour.

Afterwards some of us warmed up and had a quick pint at a wonderful pub called the "Fox and Hounds" which was hidden away and you would never know it existed from the high street.