London Labour helps out in Thurrock against Tories/BNP

Back home from Thurrock, Essex (admittedly via a local pub!) where a number of us from West Ham CLP and Tower Hamlets (and Islington, Hackney, Barking & Dagenham and more) went to try and help the local Party defeat the ruling Tory Council administration and see off a BNP (fascist) challenge – who were standing in every ward. London does not have any elections this year. London region Labour Party had sent us an email requesting assistance.

Thurrock is probably best known in London for its shopping centre “Lakeside”. However, this was the first time I had visited the area properly. Parts of it were very green and rural while other parts were built up and industrialised – it reminded me of Barking and Dagenham. Especially the riverside area (Thames).

We mostly spent all day “knocking up” voters who had previously been identified as possible Labour Party supporters. I don’t know what the result is but the canvassing had been pretty accurate (which is not always true in elections) and the people we spoke to were usually solid Labour. However, the people we called at who were “unidentified” (i.e. no-one had managed to speak to them about their voting intentions beforehand) were also on the whole very positive for Labour. This is in a ward that Labour last time only beat the BNP by 18 votes. One of the two, who told me today he was BNP, was so drunk that I actually doubted he would ever make it to the polling station.

Some of the Council estates (I think they were still in-house) reminded me of the inner city London housing estates I work in, even thought we are 45 minutes east of Stratford, E15. The local accent on the estates (particularly amongst the kids) was also to my mind pure “East End”.
The local Labour Party and their MP, Andrew MacKinkley, treated us as kings! Very friendly, very hospitable and they were organised! Andrew (ex-NALGO officer) took us around in the morning and really looked after us. There was no “hanging about” waiting to be told what to do, the paperwork was complete and up-to-date, and there was no public arguments amongst local officials about what we should do! They supplied Bottled water, juice, Tea, Coffee, biscuits, sausages, pizza and encouragement. This meant we were even more motivated to get out and help out.

Things didn’t always go to plan. I took a wrong turning and we ended up on the M25 and had to go over the Queen Elizabeth Bridge into Kent and back again via the tunnel into Essex (£2 toll). Still, we were flying the Labour Party flag from my car (supplied by UNISON Labour Link)

Deputy leadership candidate Jon Cruddas MP turned up (didn’t see him). London Assembly member John Biggs was very active.

The picture is a bit self indulgent. Our final canvass was at this very traditional council estate in Purfleet, just next to the Thames. A ferry went by and if you click on the photo you can see Canary wharf in the distance. Pictured are West Ham CLP Richard Bolt, John Saunders and Judith Garfield (Newham Councillor).

Also with us on the day (apologies to anyone I have missed out) was Bill Turner (UNISON and Tower Hamlets Councillor). Marc Francis and Ohid Ahmed (Tower Hamlets Councillors) and Emily Thornberry MP (Islington South & Finsbury and team).

Don’t know what is going to happen. Off to bed since I have to represent a member at a gross misconduct hearing tomorrow but BBC Nick Robinson blog suggests that results may not be as bad for Labour as suggested!