Canvass Training: "Persuasive Conversations"

"Thirty percent of people are undecided about who to vote for or do not think that voting is worthwhile.

Having a persuasive conversation with them about Labour Party policies can make all the difference. Marginal seats are often won or lost by just a few votes.

Would you like to join a training session to learn how to canvass or to learn some useful techniques? I attended a training session on Persuasive Conversations and found it really useful. 

I would like to pass on those notes and tips to any interested members and supporters.

Please email tinamjgATicloudDOTcom to register or to find out more".


TRAINING DATES

Thursday 14th November, 7.15pm – 8.15pm
St. Lukes Community Centre, 89 Tarling Rd, E16 1HN
All members and friends welcome"

(Many thanks to Tina our political education officer for organising this)

Campaigning in Plaistow South & Running a Board

This canvass took place two Sundays ago. I "ran the board" for the team which means I gave out names and addresses to canvassers to go and call at then collate any information. I quite enjoy this from time to time since it is mentally challenging to control a team especially in a part of this ward that I have only canvassed once before a few years back.

However, it can get a little repetitive and I miss the face to face contact with people.

This area used to be a BNP stronghold but thankfully is now a strong Labour seat. We had two ward local councillors with us, Neil and Aleen, so they were able to pick up Council case work. There was one house where the owner was unhappy that the Council will not pick up and recycle glass during rubbish collections. So she had left all the bottles she had used in the last few years on her drive. There were "a lot" of bottles. I am not sure what Neil is going to do with that one?

There were a number of really pretty and well kept gardens in the area. A bizarre door entry system for a block of flats where the button to open the communal door (top right) was on the outside not the inside?

On way back I noticed a wonderful example of street art by Prince Regents Lane Post office (bottome right). 

Result: Spitalfields and Banglatown ward by-election 2010

The result of Spitalifelds and Banglatown Ward by election 2010 is:-
Labour 553
Respect 666
Independent 28
Lib Dem 33
Tory 128
Green 52
Shame - A Labour defeat but is actually not as bad as I thought it would be given the circumstances.  This is not a victory for "Respect" but for "Community Politics" and certain rich local businessmen.  This seat will return to Labour at the next full election. 

Picture of a very, very cold but positive Labour Party canvass team working the Spitalfields and Banglatown by-election this evening in Tower Hamlets.  Including West Ham CLP members and our local East London Assembly member, John Biggs (right).  It was snowing at first but then stopped.  It remained bitterly cold.  Our job was to call at identified Labour supporters and "remind" them to go out and vote.  Picture in Whitechapel Road. 

This evening confirmed my view that being "On the knocker" is not a winter sport.

UPDATE: apparently a 16% turnout and yes - 666 is the number of Gorgeous George the beast.