Saturday, February 06, 2010

Stratford High Street Labour Stall with our Gerry.

This morning I spent some time observing and helping out at a busy local Councillor Saturday ward surgery. It was pretty varied and interesting stuff. Next on the agenda was setting up a Labour Party stall in Stratford High Street outside the main shopping centre.

Picture is of our Gerry (backdrop is the historic Old Town Hall see him standing next to West Ham MP Lyn Brown) who is a retired T&G union activist who used to work in a local power plant. Gerry is a keen member of his Tenants Association and the West Ham CLP Disability officer. He has been an active member of the Labour Party for “over 50 years”. He sees an important part of his role as a member in making sure that in any Labour Party meeting he attends that its Chair is up to the job of running the meeting. While he puts down his long life to starting each day with a mug of tea topped up with a bit of whiskey. He points out that “if it was good enough for my old Duchess” who lived well into her late 80’s - it is good enough for him.

There was a good response from shoppers. A couple of doughnuts who think they are making serious political points by muttering expletives under their breath while walking quickly pass. We picked up some new members and lots of case work for Lyn and the Councillors while also giving passerby’s  directions to here and there and advice on what buses to get. The Labour Mayor of Newham, Robin Wales, also turned up which I hope to post a picture of us all when I get it.

Senior Councillor Helal Abbas from Tower Hamlets Council stopped by with his family while out shopping to show support and say hello.

I offered a Labour Party balloon to a mum who was with a wide eyed toddler who was eagerly holding her hand out. But her mum very politely refused saying “I am sorry but we do not agree with the Labour Party” To which I backed off and said “fair enough”. The toddler didn’t seem to agree and was visually and vocally unimpressed with whatever political correctness lay behind her Mum’s response. I reckon we will have a future Labour voter there.

One interesting exchange I overheard was one young woman speaking to another. Referring to Lyn Brown, she said to her friend “that’s our MP over there”. Her friend responded with “What? Why she here”. The reply was “Oh, her and Labour are always here”. To which I took some comfort from since it shows that we are recognised as being continually active as a Labour Party in West Ham and not just when there are elections.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

"Picture is of our Gerry (backdrop is the historic Old Town Hall see him standing next to West Ham MP Lyn Brown) who is a retired T&G union activist who used to work in a local power plant. Gerry is a keen member of his Tenants Association and the West Ham CLP Disability officer. He has been an active member of the Labour Party for “over 50 years”."

Which begs the question, surely, why is he or anyone else for that matter, still a member?

John Gray said...

Hi Dave
Ask that question of Gerry and I am sure he will tell you in no certain terms why he is still a loyal labour supporter. He does not agree with everything that the Labour government has done and has been vocal about what he considers has been their shortcomings but he is proud about the Party and the help given to pensioners and the disabled.

I’m also sure that if you try and continue with such anti-Labour nonsense Gerry will demonstrate the error of your ways in a traditional and direct East End manner.

In the nicest possible way of course!