Some changes to my committees

The Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Labour Group held its annual general meeting last night. There were a few tweaks to my responsibilities. I still hold the shadow portfolio for Public Protection, Waste & Transport. I have changed some of the committees I sit on so that they more closely tally with this portfolio.

(Subject to full council endorsement this Thursday) I will be on the Place scrutiny committee.

I will also sit on the following committees: General purposes, Licensing, and Audit.

I will be on the following working parties: Conservation, Pier and foreshore, Public transport and buses, Traffic and parking, and Waste management.

I will not be on any outside bodies.

Man bites dog

I read a recent report that suggested David Cameron was going to scrap the leaders’ debates in 2015. I was not over keen on these myself, not least because it made our General Election far too presidential for my liking. However, Cameron appears to be running scared of the telegenic charms of Nigel Farrage.

If I was Ed Miliband I would be tempted to offer Farrage a debate; the UKIP manifesto seems as far removed as anything I can immediately think of from where the Labour Party should be that such a debate should an easy victory for the rational debating skills of Ed. A debate would highlight the chasm between UKIP and Labour and give voters the choices they so desperately seek.

UKIP pose a number of problems for Cameron, all self-inflicted. The Tories have never resolved where they want to be on Europe, having fudged the issue since the days of Maggie. Splits have been predicted before, and whilst the party has stayed more or less united, its support has certainly fractured. This may only be a between General Elections problem, but as Labour found out the weakening of the activist base caused by poor showings in local elections eventually catches up with you.

UKIP’s mantra in the recent elections was largely focussed on Europe and immigration, their manifesto resembling a wish-list from the Daily Mail editorial team. The county councils have no power to affect policy in either of these areas, not that this was an electoral obstacle. A quarter of those who voted were so intent on expressing their displeasure that it seemingly mattered not that those whom they chose to support will be powerless to affect change in these areas. However, if Tory HQ is panicked into lurching to the Right then they will see this as job done; even better if Labour feel obliged to compromise too.

Despite my deep disapproval of much that UKIP stand for I cannot help but admire their leader. He surely must be the most popular party leader in the country, and he so towers above everyone in his own party that few could name a second UKIP member. He seemingly conjures positive headlines out of the air at the moment and he will hope that the wave of popularity he is riding carries him and his party for the next twenty-four months.

My view, at the moment, is that UKIP will do even better next year. The EU elections have been fertile territory for UKIP in recent years, and this can only get better in 2014. I cannot see anything but more pain for the Tories for the next thirteen months (the 2014 elections will be held in June). However, when it comes to electing a Government, especially under an electoral system so loaded in favour of the big two parties, I would expect that those sit-at-home and rebelling Tory supporters to return in sufficient numbers to see off any UKIP challenge in 2015. Whether this is enough to stay in Government only time will tell; Cameron will take solace from the fact that Labour’s improved performance last week was some way short of sensational.

In truth, some Labour supporters are also worried about a lack of clear purpose or direction. With two years still to the big test I cannot see how Miliband can do anything but be cautious about announcing policy. However, he could state loud and clear what he does not believe in, and do that by waiving the UKIP manifesto and saying “not this”.

Send in the clowns?

Some of those helping out in Rochford South today

In between dealing with ward business in Milton (and other things that crop up in my life, like work and the family) I have been lending a hand in the Rochford South division. From what I have seen it looks like being a close race between the Labour candidate, Jerry Gibson, and his Conservative opponent. I have seen no evidence of work by the Liberal Democrat or UKIP candidates, although my not seeing them or their teams out and about does not mean they are not working.

Ukippers, according to Ken Clarke, should be easy to spot. A big red nose, over-large shoes, a buttonhole that squirts water, etc. Clowns.

Clowns? Not to me, for they pose a serious threat to the economic well-being of this country, and threaten the social fabric. Whilst it is a perfectly reasonable stance to object to EU membership (I do not, but I can see that organisation is in need of an overhaul), there is an increasing tendency to harp on about foreigners and human rights.

Phil Palij, UKIP candidate for Braintree Eastern, has kindly commented on my blog, and outed himself as an obsessive when it comes to immigration. He believes that “Labour have misguidedly supported a multicultural society” which leads one to believe he wants a single culture. Quite what he thinks this will do for our quality of life, let alone our standing in the world is beyond my ken, but a country that shuts out the rest of the world is not one that we find easy engagement when it comes to trade or treaties.

Mr Palij strikes me as rather confused (he talks about Labour having “policies deliberately put in place to encourage a vast and unsustainable mass migration” and then states that “many here anonamously and illegally” (his poor grammar and spelling) – it cannot be both deliberate and illegal). Whilst there are concerns over immigration, Mr Palij should attempt some accuracy.

Where Mr Palij has allowed himself to appear ludicrous is that all this conversation about immigration and multiculturalism is quite irrelevant to the election that he faces. Essex County Council is not responsible for either of these policy areas, and I wonder why he thinks his conversations with building workers regarding the Olympics is at all relevant in the campaign.

Allan Davies for Rochford North

Pronounced ‘bal-nah’

I do not endorse many candidates, usually because I am rarely asked. Sometimes I decline because I may know more than one candidate in a contest.

I have known Bhavna for quite a few years, and have known about her European aspirations for some time. I was asked to endorse her attempt to get the number two slot on the Labour list (Richard Howitt MEP has the number one slot) for next year’s European elections.

The European elections are conducted using the party list system, and MEPs are allocated based on party vote share. If a party is entitled to just one MEP then the number one candidate is elected, if two MEPs are needed then positions one and two are used, etc. Thus, it can be seen that position on the list is very important. With Labour’s electoral fortunes looking significantly better than when the elections were last held it is felt that two or three MEPs in the East will be won for us. Being number two on the lists looks like a position that will see the fortunate female elected.

My endorsement can be read here – http://www.votejoshi4mep.co.uk/endorsements-page-1/

The Chelmsford seven

	Raymond Barry – Chelmer
	Edward Massey – Chelmsford Central
	Irene Ferguson – Chelmsford North
	Bill Horslen – Chelmsford West
	Richard Hyland – Great Baddow
	David Howell – Springfield
	Maurice Austin – Stock

Labour and Co-operative Party candidates in Castle Point #2

Matthew Reilly – Canvey Island East
Matthew grew up on Canvey Island, attending St. Katherine’s, Castle View and SEEVIC College. He graduated from Sussex University and is currently working for the National Autistic Society, London. As an NHS campaigner, he has recently worked with local Clinical Commissioning Groups to help safeguard our NHS from the worst aspects of Tory led top down re-organisations and cuts. Matthew is particularly concerned about youth unemployment, low wages and falling university numbers. As your Councillor, he would look to help young people into work and training. He strongly opposes Tory policies cutting tax for the wealthy while punishing the less fortunate with a VAT rise, a realterms benefits cut and no prospect of growth. These have caused the slowest economic recovery in 100 years. If elected, Matthew would strive to defend the interests of hard working families and small businesses in Canvey East to get the Essex economy moving again. He campaigns for the living wage, starting with Essex Council.
Matthew is a keen supporter of Canvey Island Football Club having followed them since he was ten years old.

Esther Akinnuwa – Canvey Island West
Esther lives with her family on the Island. She is a graduate in International Relations & Political Science. Her experience in current affairs will assist her in being the link between you and the County Council. As a former secretary with Castle Point Citizens Advice Bureau, Esther is aware of the issues local residents face and committed to continuing her community work to reduce the problems. Esther is a supporter of the Co-operative movement and a member of the Castle Point Co-operative Party, Labour’s supportive sister party. As a member of the Fabians’ Women’s Network, she is passionate about the issues that face women as well as men. Writing for this network has enabled Esther to liaise with men and women about the problems facing many households, particularly those with low incomes, from young to old on Canvey. Esther has also worked as an intern for Ken Livingstone & Jim Fitzpatrick MP so knows how passionate the Labour Party is about serving your needs unlike the Coalition, which seeks to look after its own. Esther will use all her abilities to try to make life less of a struggle by fighting for policies that help all of us with a one nation approach.

Joe Reeder – Hadleigh
Joe, 23 has lived for 8 years in Castle Point and has a young son with his partner Abi. He is a Law & Politics student with a strong belief in Equality, Freedom and Prosperity. Joe is a campaigner against the ideological cuts that are designed to systematically dismantle the Welfare State. He sees cutting life saving services and reducing support for the hardest hit members of our community, especially the poor and disabled as the wrong steps in addressing the needs of this country. Based on his personal experience with the failing Ambulance Service, Joe believes the reluctance to dispatch an ambulance unless the person is not breathing is a disgrace for a developed country in the 21st century. The attacks on jobs, benefits and tenancy security while those at the top receive tax cuts have to be opposed. Joe is a supporter of the Co-operative movement and Vice Chair of the local Co-operative Party, Labour’s sister party. As your County Councillor for Hadleigh, Joe would ensure that everyone’s opinions are heard, reaching out to people to remind them they are not alone.

Brian Wilson – South Benfleet
Brian and his wife moved to Benfleet in 1966 for a career as a Naval Architect at Lloyds Register of Shipping, London, rail commuting for over 30yrs. Now retired, Brian’s family includes two locally educated children and four grand children. Brian was a Borough Councillor for St. Mary’s Ward from 1995 – 2003, holding various key committee roles and regular Saturday monthly advice sessions in the Benfleet Tavern car park. Brian is a keen supporter of the Co-operative movement and has been a member of the Co-operative Party, Labour’s sister party, and of the Labour Party, for over thirty years, holding most of the executive posts in both. His skills and experience in representing residents effectively at Borough level equip him well for this role at the County Council if elected. He has campaigned tirelessly to protect local shopping and parking in South Benfleet. Brian recognises the need for good quality affordable housing, particularly for our younger people but is currently active in the prevention of Jotman’s Hall Farm being ravished by developers and is strong in his opposition to using green belt arable farm land for house building.

Joe Cooke – Thundersley
Joe and his wife have two children and four grandchildren. They have been part of the Thundersley community since 1970. A Ford sponsored Engineering graduate, he is a retired Snr. Systems Analyst. He has eleven years experience as a Councillor and has enjoyed combining representing constituents with more strategic roles. As Chair of Health & Environment, he launched the kerbside green waste and paper collections and many sustainability initiatives. Proud of Labour’s success in cutting expenses, restoring Council reserves, protecting greenbelt via the Local Plan and involving the community in local democracy, Joe now seeks support from the wider Thundersley area as your County representative. A keen supporter of the Co-operative movement, he is Secretary of the local Co-operative Party, Labour’s partner in local and National politics. In the community, Joe is a trustee of the Citizens Advice Bureau charity, a former school governor and an experienced Carer with considerable awareness of disability issues. He continues to provide support to many constituents and hopes to achieve more as your Labour and Co-operative Party County Councillor for Thundersley.

Labour and Co-operative Party candidates in Castle Point #1

Here is a press release on the Castle Point candidates in next month’s Essex County Council elections:

Membership of the Co-operative Party is open to Labour Party members and those who do not belong to another political party. All our Labour Party candidates this year are also Co-operative Party members and proud to stand under the joint banner.

Below is an extract from the Co-operative Party National web site – http://www.party.coop

The Co-operative Party is the political arm of the co-operative movement. We have more than 9,000 members.

Our party was established in 1917 and has been a sister party of the Labour Party since 1927.

We believe that people achieve more by working together than they can by working alone. We support the efforts of those who seek success through that co-operative endeavour.

We believe that the only way to create a just and fair society is through power being spread evenly throughout society, and not arbitrarily based on wealth, class, gender or race.

We work to promote co-operatives and all forms of mutual organisation.

We work in partnership with the Labour Party as its sister party to achieve these ends. That means we stand candidates jointly with the Labour Party at all levels of government. There are currently 32 Labour and Co-operative MPs in the House of Commons, 17 Members of the House of Lords, 5 Members of the Scottish Parliament, 9 Members of the Welsh Assembly and hundreds of councillors around the country.

For more information on Castle Point Labour Party and the candidates, use this link – http://www.castlepointlabour.org

Select County Elections and click on each candidate name for more information.

For the National Labour Party, the link is – http://www.labour.org.uk/home

Joe Cooke

Press Officer – Castle Point Constituency Labour Party
Secretary – Castle Point Co-operative Party

Joe Cooke for Thundersley

Sunny in Little Wakering

This picture is from the weekend, and shows Myra Weir and myself out leafleting for Jerry Gibson. Jerry is the Labour candidate in the Rochford South division in next month’s Essex County Council elections.

After the recent arctic conditions it was a real pleasure to see the sun.