Out for a meal with two Hackney Comrades

 

Back from a great meal in Evin, Kingsland High Street, E8 and political discussion (aka mostly gossip) with my Hackney Comrades, Yvonne Maxwell and Dave Osler. 

Yvonne and I, are your no nonsense, Labour "sell out" reformists, while Dave is more from the purist (but knows it will never happen) tradition. 

I first met Dave and Yvonne during our extraordinary battles against our weird and wonderful libel actions

Meeting up with Stroppy Bird & Dave

It was great to meet up this evening with Yvonne and Dave at the Evin Restaurant in Dalston. It has been at least 2 years since we last met up (due to you know what). I had forgotten where the Overground platform was at Stratford station. 

Yvonne is a Councillor and Mayoral advisor in Hackney and Dave is a journalist. 

We first met in the Royal Court of Justice in 2009 (with Alex Hilton) when we had a little libel issue to sort out. This took about 2 years. 

Yvonne and I both bored Dave silly with our conversion about the exciting life that  London Councillors lead (knocking on doors, wearing hard hats and visiting dog pounds). 

We hope to meet up with our legal guru Robert Douglas soon (Alex is currently in Thailand I believe but will also try and invite)

Councillor Yvonne Maxwell: Hoxton West

Fantastic news. Yvonne (aka Stroppy) has been elected! My former blogging pal and daughter of former Newham Councillor Doris Maxwell, was elected last night in a Hackney Council by-election.

Hoxton West (Hackney) result: LAB: 68.3% (+11.6) CON: 13.3% (+1.2) LDEM: 9.6% (+3.2) GRN: 8.8% (-11.3)

Labour 951, Con 185, LD 133, Green 123.

This is really good news for Labour. Both times I went to help out with canvassing were spent in working class social housing estates. Increasing our vote here after a time when the Labour Party has been in a bit of a mess is encouraging. But one swallow does not a summer make.

Having a hard working good candidate (who is also firmly on the "left" of the Party and a long standing supporter of Jeremy Corbyn) who local activists across the Party united to support, obviously made a difference.

I have of course been telling everyone I know that I have been her political mentor and taught her everything she knows about politics:)

Picture with newly elected (after an open selection process) Hackney Mayor, Philip Glanville, Yvonne and Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn (who has gone through 2 open selection processes in less than a year. Just saying).

Jezza "on the knocker" in support of Labour Councillor Candidate Yvonne Maxwell #LoveHoxton

Yesterday morning I missed the very beginning of the canvass session in support of Yvonne Maxwell, who is standing as the Labour candidate for Hackney Council in a by election in Hoxton West.

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn MP turned up (by bike) to go out and canvass with Yvonne. By all accounts he and Yvonne had a fantastic response from residents and passer-bys coming up to him to offer their support, cars' tooting and giving them the thumbs up.

Yvonne is the daughter of a respected former Newham Councillor, Doris Maxwell.  There was 3 of us from West Ham Labour Party helping out.

I went out with a canvass team of local Councillors and activists led by Polly Billington who I had met before when she was the Parliamentary candidate for Thurrock. Also in the team was Hackney cabinet member for Jon Burke who was a former UNISON delegate to our Regional Council.

The poll is this Thursday 3 November 2016.

Meeting Point (for all sessions)
The junction of Murray Grove and New North Road, London N1  which is just a 5 minute walk from Old Street Station.  

Week Three (Polling week)
Monday 31          6-7.30pm
Tuesday 1           6-7.30pm
Wednesday 2     6-7.30pm

Polling Day
Thursday 3  from  8am to10pm

Committee Room
 215A Kingsland Road

Yvonne Maxwell for Hoxton West

Dear Colleague, There is a local government by-election in Hackney on 3 November, with a strong Newham connection - Labour's Candidate is Yvonne Maxwell is the daughter of former Newham Councillor Doris Maxwell. The seat used to be held by the newly elected Mayor of Hackney, Philip Grenvil. I hope you'll be able to spare a few hours to help out our neighbours.   Meeting Point (for all sessions) The junction of Murray Grove and New North Road, London N1  which is just a 5 minute walk from Old Street Station. Agent Cllr Sem Moema Week  One Wednesday 19     6-7.30pm Sunday 23             2-4pm Week  Two Monday 24           6-7.30pm Tuesday 25          6-7.30pm Wednesday 26    6-7.30pm Saturday 29       11am-1pm Week Three (Polling week) Monday 31          6-7.30pm Tuesday 1           6-7.30pm Wednesday 2     6-7.30pm Polling Day Thursday 3  from  8am to10pm Committee Room 215A Kingsland Road Don't worry if you haven't knocked on doors before, there will be plenty of old hands there to give you a steer. (picture of me with Yvonne and local activists including Philip the new Mayor of Hackney)

Love Hoxton! Yvonne Maxwell standing to be Labour Councillor for Hoxton West.

I was really pleased to hear that Yvonne has been selected to be the Labour Party candidate to replace the new Hackney Executive Mayor, Philip Granville, as a Councillor for Hoxton West.

I have known Yvonne for a number of years. Her partner, Dave Osland, and I got into a little bit of legal libel bother through our blogs and although we haven't always agreed on anything (who does?) she will make an excellent Councillor.

She has real politics and as a front line social worker, has a real understanding of the problems and issues that people face.

There is also a Newham connection, since Yvonne is the daughter of Doris Maxwell, who was a Councillor and Chair of Social Services in Newham (and the Labour Group Chief whip).

I will be joining her canvass session tomorrow 6pm-7.30pm at Junction of Murray Grove and New North Road, Hoxton. 55 New North Road, London N1 6JB. Old Street tube is only 5 minutes walk away.