Labour Party Conference 2022: Day 3 Tuesday

 

I have just realised that I still have 2 more days to post on this year's Labour Conference. So Tuesday started off with another short run along the Mersey and back from my hotel. Weather was kind compared to Monday. The UNISON delegation started with a "huddle" on the day's business just before the start of conference. 

NHS Mental health Nurse and UNISON delegate, Gordon McKay gave a marvellous and passionate speech on the Health debate. 

As posted here I spoke on the Climate change/environment debate on behalf of UNISON but by coincidence, Newham Labour member Ken Penton moved the motion  while his colleague Luke Chartist (also a PPC) spoke. At the same time James Asser was on the NEC panel. 

There was many good conference debates and Keir's speech went down so, so well. We are starting to believe we can win at the next General Election and he will be our Prime Minister. The Tories, of course, were helping by doing every single thing possible to make our conference successful with their ridiculous unfunded tax cuts which sent the pound plummeting and raised interest rates.

After conference finished I went to the UNISON reception, were our deputy leader, Angela Rayner (UNISON's own of course) came to see us and gave a great speech followed by Keir who also spoke very well and stayed chatting to delegates and enjoying the event far longer than his aides had wanted.

Only one more (half) day to go. 

Campaigning for Labour in Maryland, E15 (and my first family Iftar)

Yesterday evening I joined activists and candidates for the new Maryland ward. We were on the boundary of Newham and Waltham Forest and many roads and estates were split between the two which made for a little bit of confusion about which bit was ours and which the other borough. Building an estate across two different planning authorities must have caused some issues. 

This was positive territory for Labour and we got a great response. While social media and all the new forms of engagement with residents is really important, I am a firm believer that voters like candidates knocking on their doors and asking for their support. Now, to be frank some hide this "likeness" really well, but I understand that there is plenty of research that shows voters are more likely to vote for someone who has knocked on their door than not. 

While I have known and campaigned with Maryland Candidate, Ken Penton for donkey years, this was the first time I had been canvassing with the 2nd Maryland candidate, Carolyn Corben, and I loved the way she dealt with a resident who had been previously identified as "Against" Labour, He came to the front door quite suspicious and hostile but she was able to calm and reassure him and turn him and his son into Labour voters. Great stuff!

I had to leave early to share a Iftar meal with a colleague and his family in his home. I felt honoured and really enjoyed the meal, the conversation and the hospitality that he and his family showed. It was a wonderful experience.