We’ve been out knocking on doors in West Ham ward, chatting with residents about their issues, concerns, and how we can help.
Not long after this photo was taken, the rain began, and I quickly regretted leaving my umbrella at home.
Forhad and I are both keen cyclists (and car owners), and we really enjoyed riding through the borough with Jonathon and Karen from Newham Cyclists. They were very knowledgeable and eager to explain and discuss various issues with Forhad.
It was, in my view, a constructive and informative conversation with a positive exchange of views—a welcome change from some recent tensions over traffic movements in Newham.
I’m looking forward to my next ride with Newham Cyclists.
There were also a number of other street surgeries elsewhere in Newham and tomorrow another full programme.
In some of the surgeries, I led teams on the Labour Party doorstep app, while on others I knocked on doors and asked residents if they had any issues or problems with the Council that they wished to discuss with Forhad or our Labour teams.
I only came across entirely local issues regarding parking, street cleaning and rubbish/waste collection and disposal. Resident were generally very pleased that we were there knocking on doors and asking for their views but many were also out Christmas shopping or away on holidays.
There was blue skies and sunshine, a little cold but dry, you could not get better weather at this time of the year to go "On the Knocker".
Our guest speaker was the Political Advisor to the Palestine Ambassador, Marwan Yaghi. His family is still in Gaza.
Many thanks to all the organisers.
There was a nice mix of presentations, Q&As and small group work. It was very clear that the presentation team were very experienced and competent.
After lunch there was the inevitable Group photograph with us all and our new Labour Mayoral Candidate, Forhad Hussain, local MPs Sir Stephen Timms, James Asser, Uma Kumaran and Unmesh Desai AM. Photos - no doubt will follow.
Then Forhad gave a short, well received speech outlining who he was, why he is in politics and what he is determined to achieve for Newham if elected.
Next we were taken out in small groups with a tutor to actually go out and practice what we had learnt. Each of the Group took turns to brief the team, on what to do when out campaigning, then each lead us for 10 minutes "running the board" (leading and directing the team and inputting feedback online via their phone).
It got very, very wet towards the end but despite the rain it did not "put a damper on" a really positive day. Tomorrow we finish the course with an "online session".
There was 3 teams out and the result was pretty positive. On one occasion I had some robust conversations with two residents, who had been totally taken in by Reform propaganda and hopefully they will reflect on our exchange. However, we have to deal nationally and locally with the underlying economic causes that such populist extremist parties thrive upon.
Overhaul it went well and Ash is excellent at both listening and engaging with residents. A rare gift for someone standing for political office!
Some beautiful gardens in the ward.
Today there is a by election in Camden - check out https://events.labour.org.uk/ if you can help out
The by election is on September 18th. The candidate Ash is excellent "on the doorstep" with residents and will make a great Councillor. He has been a keen local campaigner and activist.
The street surgery itself went well but it was a warm and sunny day with many residents obviously out shopping or enjoying the weather. It was also difficult to gain entry into some of the newer blocks in this area.
I helped some residents with some housing repair issues and advice on waiting lists etc but the only "political" conversation, I had was with a cheerful young man, who answered the door and said he did not know anything about politics but said he had heard about Reform but did not know what they would do for him or his family.
I gave him the example that Reform wanted to dismantle the NHS and introduce a health service based on insurance policies. He was pretty rude about that possibility and said "100% for Labour then". Hopefully, I have pointed him in the right direction.
There was some lovely individual gardens on the estates and an impressive new play area and Community garden.
My colleague, John Whitworth and I picked up a case work on estate management, disrepair and housing waiting lists. On the whole, we were well received and although most residents did not have any complaints, they appreciated being asked and given information on our surgeries and how to contact us if they had. We had in total 37 contacts of which 2/3rd also said they supported Labour.
Many thanks to our local Labour volunteer activists Varghese, Mushtaq and Janet for their support. We finished off with Coffee and gossip at a local café.
I had a few decent political conversations and it was mostly very positive. I bumped into the Tories again (led by my old sparring partner Tim Roll-Pickering for third Saturday in a row) but no sign again of any other parties.
Afterwards I went to Croydon East with UNISON colleagues, to support Joel Bodmer, who was shortlisted in the nomination race to be the Labour Parliamentary candidate for this new seat.
Hat tip Newham Labour "Local campaigners Sofia Patel and Stephanie Garfield have been selected by Labour to stand as the party’s candidates for the Boleyn and Wall End by-elections.
Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz said: “Sofia and Stephanie are great community champions who will both hit the ground running to improve the lives of residents in Boleyn and Wall End wards. From tackling the scourge of fly-tipping in their neighbourhoods, to championing renters rights they will be passionate advocates for local people across all those things that matter to residents most.
I am looking forward to them joining the Labour team at the council as we drive forward with our purpose of building a fairer Newham for everyone.”
Boleyn candidate Sofia Patel was born, raised and educated in Newham. She has previously managed a local cinema, held roles in health and social care and now works for the Labour Party. Sofia is a strong advocate for youth services, social justice and the needs of older people.
Sofia said: “I’m Newham through and through – I was born and raised here, and I’m proud to call Boleyn ward home. “Having worked in social care, and been a carer myself, I am passionate about providing people with the support they require to live rich and fulfilling lives.
That’s why the action being taken by Newham’s Labour-run Council to increase expenditure on social care and deliver fair pay for our carers is so important. If elected, I will speak up for carers, continue to tackle the fly-tippers whose actions blight our neighbourhood, and work hard to help deliver on Newham Labour’s vision for a cleaner, greener, safer borough.”
Wall End candidate Stephanie Garfield works for the NHS, runs a small independent arts business and has been a British Sign Language interpreter. She is a dedicated public servant, local activist and entrepreneur, with a strong commitment to inclusive and compassionate local services.”
Stephanie said: “Alongside my brilliant NHS colleagues, I worked tirelessly to serve our communities and support deaf students throughout the pandemic – so I know all too well the value of properly-funded, well-run public services that are accessible to everybody.
“But while Newham’s Labour-run Council are delivering crucial investment and supporting local people through the cost-of-living crisis, Tory government cuts and economic mismanagement continue to harm our community. Only Labour can build a fairer Newham and I pledge to champion Wall End and work hard for a cleaner, safer and fairer neighbourhood.”
I will be in Brighton from Saturday to Wednesday. I am looking forward to the London Labour Party reception tomorrow and I am speaking at a Pension Fringe on "Just Transition" on Monday. Newham Labour "get together" will probably be on Monday evening. Watch this space.
On Wednesday evening I took part in a Labour Unions telecanvassing session for Kim Leadbeater, the Labour candidate in the by election next week being held in Batley & Spen. This was hosted with Mick Whelan from ASLEF and Rachel Reeves MP. Kim herself, also joined and gave a barnstorming speech about her politics, her support of trade unions and what she wants to do for the people of Batley & Spen if elected.
The dialogue telephone session itself was quite frustrating since in about 45 minutes I rang 73 electors in Batley & Spen but only managed to complete 5 voter surveys. Nearly everyone had an answerphone on.
The voters I managed to speak to were very positive, including 2 who had been marked down as "Against" the Labour Party on our records but told me how Kim had won them over.
This morning we were due to have a Labour Group physical door knocking session in Custom House, Newham. However, when we arrived at the meeting point, it turned out that part of the Labour Party website was down and we could not download the names and addresses to call at on our smartphones. Lesson learnt is that while new technology is fantastic when it works, you should have a hard copy backup system.
While some of the canvass teams were coming back later that day with paper lists, I cycled back home and joined the Newham Labour Group online telecanvass session (dialogue software which worked for me) targeting our Little Ilford ward.
In a similar 45 minute time frame I "only" managed to make 26 calls but completed 13 surveys. There was far less telephone answer machines and I managed to speak to more people and had some pretty decent discussions. Possibly people are more relaxed and ready to chat on a Saturday morning.
On Monday evening I am chairing a Greater London UNISON training for our "Labour Link" branch officers. At the end of the meeting we are planning to do another telecanvass session to support Kim.
I arrived too late last night at Stratford Picture House for the "Pick of the Policies" competition due to 
