Milton Voice Summer 2015
July 7, 2015 Leave a comment
Carrying on conversing
May 31, 2015 Leave a comment
Such delighful company, young and eager Matt and Gray in Blenheim Park ward yesterday
“So” says I to a resident, “why did Labour lose the election?” “I have no idea” responds the resident, “I have always voted Labour”. As the conversation developed it became clear that this particular voter could not understand why anyone would not want to vote Labour. It is not always like that. Whilst the prevailing opinion appears to be that either an unlikeable leader or poor economic performance when last in led to our downfall, there are those who venture alternate views.
One person was convinced that Tony Blair’s involvement, albeit limited, caused our failure. Some thought we were too left wing, others say we are not left enough. A number of voices did not want the SNP and believed, despite the denials, that a Labour Government would end up in coalition with Nicola Sturgeon’s party. Welfare is mentioned, and immigration in some quarters is seen as primary; the forthcoming EU referendum is also mentioned.
Is there anything more frustrating than being told that they wanted a Labour Government, and then following it up with either “but I didn’t vote” or “I voted for XXXXXX instead”. How anyone expects a Labour Government to materialise unless they vote for it baffles me.
And one must not forget the abstainers. These, despite an increase in turnout, still amounts to one in three voters. The “they are all the same” argument is widespread, as is the view that all politicians are liars/cheats/in it for themselves (delete as applicable). However, you do get the occasional “oh I forgot” and “I was too busy”. And you would be surprised at the number of those who admit that they just do not understand politics or what the parties stood for.
In amongst conversations about Labour’s woes I did have several people tell me about crime and anti-social behaviour issues. I do not believe that the prospect of more policing cuts is going to be welcomed everywhere. For some reason crime has come up quite a few times recently, in one guise or another. I am not suggesting that general fearfulness has risen, but whilst I promise to speak with the local policing teams about whatever is troubling said resident, I am mindful that increasingly scarce police resources are bound to mean a devaluing of the response.
Oh, and whilst my re-election campaign swings into action (yes, I could be an ex-councillor in eleven months time) I am also helping out elsewhere when I can – this weekend in Blenheim Park ward. Now, if it would stop raining I might get more done …..
Milton
May 10, 2015 11 Comments
| Jonathan Garston | Conservative | 1709 | 38.9% |
| Gray Sergeant | Labour | 1658 | 37.8% |
| Vida Mansfield | Green | 476 | 10.9% |
| Tammy Cooper | Independent | 295 | 6.7% |
| Robert Howes | Liberal Democrat | 247 | 5.6% |
About fifteen years ago I left the Labour Party for about a year and joined the Green Party. A year later I was back with Labour. When I tell people this I am usually asked why I left. The simple answer was that I became involved in politics to effect change. The Green Party will change nothing, whereas Labour does achieve power and therefore can change things.
I left Labour not because I wanted far-left politics – the Green Party in those days was a purely an environmental lobbying group. I left because something had made me cross with Labour. This happens from time to time; even a loyalist like myself finds themselves irritated. Labour is a broad coalition across the centre-left and compromises have to be made. It cannot please everyone all the time. But it is the best vehicle we have for social justice, equality, etc.
Of course the Green Party is entitled to stand candidates. But their supporters must understand that actions have consequences. Until we have electoral reform, something the Greens argue for (and incidentally, I am a member of the ERS – are any of the Greens in Southend?), we have a first past the post system. In Milton ward this simply means that it is either Labour or the Conservatives that can win.
Last year the Green vote in Kursaal saw a UKIP councillor elected. This year, in Milton, it was the Tories who benefited.
What triumph for environmentalism is it to see Jonathan Garston secure another four years in the council chamber? Jonathan, who wanted a coach park in Warrior Square (thankfully stopped by Labour in the Joint Administration); Jonathan, who held the Planning portfolio under the previous Conservative administration that saw overcrowding and ugly development in the town centre. What has Jonathan done for the poorest in the town, or the vulnerable? Where is his voice for equality? His is a Green triumph, yet he answers none of the questions that the Greens want answering.
I doubt that many Green activist will agree with my analysis, or particularly care. Theirs was as much an anti-Labour message as anything.
Gray was an excellent candidate who worked very hard. Unlike the Greens, who seemed content to post images of themselves in the pub on social media on polling day, Gray spent long hours on the doorstep. He got Labour’s best ever vote, and was beaten by the Tories best ever vote. Fifty-one votes separated Gray from the council chamber. Compare this 51 with the 476 achieved by the Greens.
Of course, it may be somewhat presumptuous to assume that Green supporters would normally back Labour. However, I know some of these Green voters, and I do not see any former Tories amongst them.
Vote Green get blue may be a lazy soundbite, but in Milton, in this year, at this election, it has a ring of truth.
The Matryoshka post: I write about Gray writing about St Luke’s
May 25, 2014 2 Comments
Gray Sergeant has written thoughtful account of his campaign in St Luke’s (St Luke’s Result 2014). I would add a couple of points.
Firstly, it must be remembered that this seat was being defended by a Conservative, a popular Conservative. Gray beat her, ensuring third spot for the blues.
Secondly, in 2012 the Independent Group had a 336 majority – this year that was reduced to 302. (In 2011 it was 601 – there certainly is a trend developing.)
Thirdly, democracy does not exist without opposing views and candidates representing those views. Whatever the St Luke’s residents thought of Labour at least Gray presented them with a socialist alternative.
We must, as democrats, accept the will of the people, and so I offer my congratulations to Cllr Endersby and hope she serves her four years with distinction.
As for Gray, he surely has a bright political future in front of him.
The result:
| Caroline Endersby | Independent | 965 | 38.6% |
| Gray Sergeant | Labour | 663 | 26.5% |
| Sally Carr | Conservative | 557 | 22.3% |
| ABC | Independent | 246 | 9.8% |
| Pamela Waldie | Liberal Democrat | 70 | 2.8% |
Gray Sergeant for St Luke’s
April 29, 2014 7 Comments
Gray Sergeant, between Cllrs Julian Ware-Lane and Anne Jones, demonstrating that politics can sometimes be fun
Name: Gray Daniel Sergeant
Age: 21
Occupation: Full-rime Student at London School of Economics (3rd year International Relations and History) also part-time waiter at local golf club
Where were you born/where do you live: Was born and have lived in Southend all my life
Have you stood for election before? In 2012 I stood in West Shoebury
Why are you Labour? I think Labour talks about the issues that really matter to people. While it’s important, I didn’t get into politics to obsessively debate the pros and cons of the European Union. Rather than speculating the consequences if we are in or out there are bigger questions we should be discussing such as the type of economy should we promote, improving health and education services and the society we want to live in. Even though we are broad-church all Labour members, candidates and MP’s want to see a more equal society where everybody has a fair chance to succeed.
Why are you standing? St Luke’s is a great community and a nice residential area of our town with good facilities. People in St Luke’s like the fact they have a local Library in Southchurch and parents use both Hamstel and Temple Sutton Children’s Centres. These services are facing cut backs, the area needs someone to stand up a fight for them. The current councillors (2 Independent and 1 Conservative) have seemed to be quite on these issues.
What are your hobbies? Running/hiking, eating and drinking out, growing stuff/cooking, reading mostly non-fiction (histories/biographies) and I do enjoy writing although have not blogged recently (I know Julian you are keen for me to start up my blog again – I might in a couple of months)
Are you active in the community? Before going to university I regular helped out as an assistant leader with a local Scout group. Since then most of my community activity has been going out and getting things done for residents in St Lukes from potholes filled in, pavements repaired, streetlights fixed and trees trimmed back. These small things help make peoples streets nicer to live along.
Email: gsergeant1@gmail.com
Twitter: @GraySergeant
Website: gray4stlukes.blogspot.co.uk
Julian's musings 