Labour's lost votes

The latest issue of Prospect Magazine carries an interesting analysis by Peter Kellner of why Millions of people turned away from Labour during its 13 years in power, and how to win them back

A builder reads the Sun on 30th September 2009, 

when it dropped its support for the Labour party 

after 12 years

He reaches this conclusion:

Ed Miliband is therefore right to rebrand his party as “one nation Labour.” However, rebranding cannot produce lasting results through a label alone, however often it is repeated. “New Labour” produced electoral dividends not because of the name but because it reflected a real change in the party’s direction. What matters now is how Miliband follows through. Every Labour policy between now and 2015 must pass the “one nation” test. Any whiff of the politics of social contest—pitching “our” people against “their” people—would do immense harm.

That is not all. Given the role the unions played in his election as party leader, Miliband still has much to do. He must convince voters that he would be his own man, and also tough and competent enough to keep his promises, if he did become prime minister.

Meanwhile, YouGov’s data suggests that those who would abandon this strategy, “return to Labour’s roots” and pull the party to the left are not simply on the wrong side. They are fighting the wrong battle.

Full article here

Where to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow this week

• Saturday 27 October meeting local women to plan the next stage of our sexual healthcare for E17 campaign at 10am at 23 Orford road (all welcome) and then acting as an observer to the policing operation in Walthamstow following the EDL proposals. See below for details. 
• Monday 29^th November I’m holding a surgery at Waltham Forest Direct for those who have appointments. To book an appointment please call 020 8521 1223 and see below for details of additional surgeries. 
• Thursday 1^st November I’m heading to Bristol and Cardiff to run an#OBRUK workshop.
• Friday 2^nd November running another OBRUK workshop on  tackling violence against women in Manchester.

2 minutes to help save the EMD cinema - by Nov 1st

EMD PLANNING APPEAL – YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! Deadline 1st November

UCKG - owners of the EMD Cinema - have appealed against the borough's rejection of their latest planning applications for turning the Cinema into a church "help centre". We need everyone to tell the national planning inspectorate that they object to the UCKG’s plans and support the council’s refusal to approve them.

It's very important that local residents respond - the Inspectorate will take note of local feelings

The easiest way is to email
leanne.palmer@pins.gsi.gov.uk
quoting ref. APP/U5930/A/12/2183662/NW

or write to Leanne Palmer at:
The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/02 Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN

or ‘comment on this case’ via this online form:

http://www.pcs.planningportal.gov.uk/pcsportal/ViewCase.asp?caseid=2183662&coid=2179466

_____________________________________

What's the alternative to the UCKG? This statement is from the Waltham Forest Cinema Trust:

"A contemporary vision for the former Granada Cinema, Walthamstow

"Our vision is to acquire the former Granada cinema, a building of outstanding architectural and cultural significance, and create an iconic cultural venue with a programme that is contemporary, inclusive, and respectful of this building's remarkable heritage.

"This project is rooted in the local community and unites the ambitions of local businesses, the local authority policies of the Mayor of London and Arts Council England, political parties and the people of Waltham Forest. The project has successfully engaged leading cultural organisations and architects to create a viable and compelling vision of the future for this historic building."

_____________________________________

Some points you might make in your response (these are taken from the McGuffin website)

No change from the previous Appeal: In 2003, UCKG was refused permission for a change of use by the Deputy Prime Minister. That decision should only be overturned if there has been a “material” change in circumstances and there has not: the EMD remains the only purpose-built multi-use arts venue in Waltham Forest capable of staging professional scale cinema, theatrical and music events.

Loss of the borough’s only significant dedicated entertainment venue: Despite the cinema facilities proposed in their latest application, UCKG’s plans will permanently deprive the 225,000 residents of Waltham Forest of their only significant dedicated entertainment venue. Waltham Forest already has over 200 places of worship. A number of alternative sites would be suitable for specialist religious activity but the EMD’s loss as a dedicated venue for entertainment and culture would be irreplaceable.

Access to the main auditorium: The heart of the EMD building is the main auditorium. The provision of small scale screening rooms in other parts of the building would in no way compensate for the loss of this unique cultural asset and amenity. UCKG state they will make the space available for one-off special events and cite their use of the Finsbury Park Rainbow as an example – but during the 17 years UCKG has owned the Rainbow, only two films have ever been screened in its main auditorium.

Viability: The building is viable as an entertainment venue. It did not close because of falling attendances – but because UCKG bought it and closed it. By their own admission, UCKG has received numerous offers from potential buyers and serious interest has been registered by a range of cinema operators. Waltham Forest Cinema Trust has also offered to buy the venue and operate it on a not-for-profit basis to secure its long-term future. The option for a hybrid church-cinema is also entirely inappropriate for a town centre landmark in a multicultural and multi-faith area. It could not have the wide public appeal that a fully revived entertainment venue would enjoy and is unlikely to be viable in the longer term.

Lack of consultation: Despite the demonstrably high levels of public interest in the EMD building, UCKG has made almost no attempt to consult the residents of Waltham Forest with regard to their proposals for the venue. UCKG’s plans make clear that the sole motivation for including cinema screens in the scheme is to obtain permission to convert the majority of the building for specialist religious use – an outcome which has already been firmly rejected by residents and the local authority. The ongoing lack of community engagement is particularly worrying given the precedent set at Catford in 2005 when UCKG obtained planning permission to convert that area’s cinema into a place of worship following assurances that a portion of the building would be retained for D2/cinema use. Those assurances were later completely disregarded and no entertainment facilities have ever been provided on the site.

Economic vitality of the area: A re-opened EMD would boost Walthamstow town centre’s night time economy. There is no credible evidence to support claims that a specialist UCKG church would have the same positive impact. The Planning Inspector in the 2003 Appeal visited UCKG’s centre in Finsbury Park and concluded: “Nothing in the commercial life of that area appeared to benefit from the UCKG Helpcentre”. A hybrid scheme involving a UCKG church and significantly reduced cultural facilities is unlikely to have the same broad appeal or generate the same economic benefits as a fully revived entertainment venue.

Listed status: The first option for a Grade II* Listed building should always be the purpose for which it was originally designed (i.e. a venue for entertainment and culture). The historical importance of the building (in a borough which was home to some of the first British film studios and the birthplace of Alfred Hitchcock) makes the venue unique – its compromise or loss would deprive Waltham Forest of a major part of its cultural heritage and potential tourism revenue.

Don't let the Boundary Commission bulldoze Walthamstow for its hyperspace bypass.

There's a serious problem with the way the Boundary Commission has set up its process for boundaries review:
Step 1 was to publish proposals, and invite responses both in writing and at public meetings - this happened in autumn 2011
Step 2 was to review these and draft new proposals taking these responses into account, with the option to make significant changes
Step 3 - which is where we are now - was to publish these revised proposals [with very significant changes], and invite responses, but only in writing and only with the expectation of minor changes - such as a change of  constituency name.

Remember Arthur Dent in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy? When he complained about his house being bulldozed to make way for a 'hyperspace bypass', he was told the plans had been on display - in an out of the way office in the basement of an obscure government building - and he could have complained then.

Well - ok - that's not quite what has happened here, but equally devious bureaucratic logic seems to be saying that: because the first proposals left Walthamstow more or less intact, and therefore nobody complained much then it follows that nobody in Walthamstow is bothered about Walthamstow, so let's carve it up, and we can bulldoze this obstacle to the Government's pet project. [A project which will, by the way, go on giving - giving  every 5 years a major boundary reorganisation headache as continuing population movements make each new set of boundaries illegal]

Put more formally: This proposal was not in any previous plan the Boundary Commission produced for constituencies for the North East London area. Indeed, all prior plans explicitly stated that a constituency for Walthamstow should be created. It is therefore not reasonable for the Commission to expect Walthamstow residents to have previously participated in their consultation process, as they have had no prior warning such a change was under consideration. Walthamstow residents should therefore not be penalised by the lack of public meeting at which to express their view on this matter by having their political representation diluted.

DON'T PANIC. Just take Ford Prefect's advice: grab your towel and tell the Boundary Commission why they must restore Walthamstow. Check here for more reasons! [and do it before December 10th]

[and then visit here to find out more about Life, The Universe, and Everything]

'Walthamstow off the map'? - Points to raise with the Boundary Commission

'Walthamstow off the map'? was this week's headline in the Waltham Forest Guardian newspaper. The online story is here.

The Boundary Commission has recently published its revised proposals for parliamentary boundaries. Under these the constituency of Walthamstow would cease to exist. Four of its local authority wards - Wood Street, Chapel End, William Morris, and Higham Hill - would be part of a new Chingford constituency  the other four - Hoe Street, High Street, Markhouse, and Lea Bridge - would be part of a new Leyton constituency. You can see a map showing this here.

The Commission has to ensure the new boundaries reflect local communities of interest and clearly defined areas and you may wish to respond to this proposal. If so you may find it helpful to quote the information below as well as explaining to them directly your own sense of the local community in which you live and how important this is to how you are represented in parliament and the laws it makes.

In this second stage of their work there will be NO public meetings and only written responses to these plans will be considered. Above all it is vital that as many residents in Walthamstow speak up  so this is our only chance to fight this proposal. It is crucial as many local residents as possible respond to the Commission before the deadline of Monday 10 December 2012:

either by email using reviews@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk   

or via their website here

or by letter to - The Boundary Commission for England, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ.

__________________________________________

Points to raise with the Boundary Commission

The Sense of Place

This new proposal splits a long established community that is referenced in the Domesday book and has a well known and celebrated identity. Political engagement in the UK has been declining for many years as citizens repeatedly highlight their sense of alienation from the political process. So too, research consistently shows it is local ties and a ‘sense of place’ that are crucial to constituent engagement in the democratic process. In Walthamstow, this sense of place can be seen in activities such as the E17 art trail,  the E17 Film Festival, the Stow Music Festival, as well as the multitude of local sports and community organisations which proudly define themselves as Stow or Walthamstow based. Indeed, the level of concern about these proposals being expressed is a microcosm of the strong sense of place residents in Walthamstow feel about the area.

The North Circular 

This proposal explicitly contradicts the Boundary Commissions own concerns not to see the north circular split up a community – as their report states ‘We are in no doubt that the North Circular Road divides, rather than links, the communities on either side of it’. However under this proposal residents living either side of the North Circular would be expected to engage in the political process as mutual Chingford Residents, whether they live near the William Morris Gallery or Blackhorse Road station or near Epping Forest and Gilwell Park.

Leyton and Walthamstow Town Centre

Further failing to reflect the way in which local residents live in this area, the report states the name Leyton, ‘describes the main population centre adequately’. This overlooks the distinctive, larger and vibrant town centre of Walthamstow. The status of Walthamstow as the dominant area of the borough is reflected in the name Waltham Forest. However under these proposals residents who live near the Coppermill lane and Walthamstow Marsh area would be expected to share civic concerns with those living in Cathall and Leytonstone, despite no direct transport links between these areas.

Public and Civic Life Access

Whether our work to restore our cinema, fight for school places or health care services it is clear Walthamstow has distinctive needs which reflect the geography of the area as well as the differing communities that live within the area.  Indeed, responding to these challenges residents in Walthamstow find it easier to access services in Hackney or Redbridge – visiting South Woodford to go to the cinema or indeed central London for women’s health services- further reflecting the lack of ties and difficulties in reaching either Chingford or Leyton for Walthamstow based citizens.

Process Concerns

This proposal was not in any previous plan the Boundary Commission produced for constituencies for the North East London area. Indeed, all prior plans explicitly stated that a constituency for Walthamstow should be created.  It is therefore not reasonable for the Commission to expect Walthamstow residents to have previously participated in their consultation process, as they have had no prior warning such a change was under consideration. Walthamstow residents should therefore not be penalised by the lack of public meeting at which to express their view on this matter by having their political representation diluted.

Alternative proposals

Just as residents in Walthamstow feel strongly about their own representation, so too we recognise the identities of Chingford, Leyton and Ilford. We therefore encourage the Boundary Commission to reject these proposals and instead reconfigure North East London to reflect these local ties.

EDL update from the Met

The latest message from Metropolitan Police Neighbourhood Link service gives some information relevant to the intended repeat march of  the EDL in Walthamstow 

"As part of the pre-event investigation and disruption activity prior to the proposed EDL march in Waltham Forest on Saturday 27 October, MPS police officers arrested 53 people on Saturday 20 October. The bulk of the arrests were for Conspiracy to Cause a Public Nuisance. 

The vast majority were released on police bail until the end of November with a variety of conditions, including:

• not to enter the London Boroughs of Islington, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Newham;
• not to enter London on Saturday 27 October or Sunday 11 November;
• not to attend any demonstrations or assemblies.

The MPS has dedicated a large number of resources to the pre-event investigation and will police any future demonstrations with a proportionate number of resources

In relation to any application to seek a ban from the Home Secretary, the MPS has always and will continue to consider all options in relation to the proposed demonstration. 

The available intelligence, legality and ability to enforce any such application for a ban is constantly under review. Although the MPS hasn’t been able to exercise this option to date, the decision remains on our agenda.

To sign up for these bulletins go to http://www.neighbourhoodlink.met.police.uk

Fire Brigade Cuts Latest - news from Jennette Arnold

These are extracts from Jennette Arnold's latest newsletter. You can read the full article here.

"Our local firefighters play a crucial role in saving lives everyday across North East London. As well as fighting fires our local brigades play an important role in their communities in offering fire prevention advice and working with partners such as schools and hospitals to check that effective plans are in place to deal with emergencies.

"Last Wednesday Mayor Boris Johnson was challenged over cuts to London’s Fire Brigade and asked to look again at these reckless cuts. I understand that up to 30 fire stations are at risk due to the scale of these cuts demanded by Boris Johnson.

As Mayor of London, Boris Johnson is ultimately responsible that effective fire cover is provided for the capital. The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) budget is a component part of Mayor Boris Johnson’s overall budget which will be examined by the Assembly in early 2013.

I am furious at the planned cuts to fire cover in my constituency. I understand the plans include closing Kingsland Fire Station in Hackney, along with two stations in Islington at Upper Street and Clerkenwell. Appliances will also be lost at Chingford and Leyton in Waltham Forest. . . 

"The final £65million target of cuts set by Mayor Boris Johnson can only be met if fire stations close. The scale of cuts is unacceptable and will impact on public safety. I will work with local residents to fight these reckless plans.

"At the last Mayor’s Question Time members of the Labour Group also challenged Mayor Boris Johnson on cuts to the Police and A&E Departments. The Metropolitan Police have already lost 1,444 Police Constables and 1,960 PCSOs in the past two years. With a £230m budget black hole this will increase. We will find out later this year about proposals to reduce the number of police stations across London possibly leaving just one 24hr station per borough.

"If this was not enough the NHS in London is also under attack. The capital is set to lose 7 of its 31 A&E departments, leaving the remaining 24 to cover an extra 120,000 residents each. I am furious at how the NHS is being dismantled before our eyes. This comes at a time when a recent review by the King’s Fund pointed towards growing concerns about trolley waits in A&E departments. This is clearly linked to the loss of 4,000 nurses since the coalition government took office.

". . .the safety of people across North East London is in jeopardy.

Where to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow this week

• Friday 19 October visiting Birmingham to run an #OBRUK workshop as part of the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections
• Saturday 20 October attending the TUC rally in central London and taking one lucky guest to the filming of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. See below for details. 
• Wednesday 24 October holding a Walthamstow School Community reception in Parliament – for governors, teachers, pupils and more with former education secretary Estelle Morris as special guest. For more details please contact sophie@workingforwalthamstow.org.uk 

• Thursday 25 October visiting Dover to run another #OBRUK workshop and attending the Walthamstow Labour Party General Committee Meeting 
• Friday 26 October supporting the Walthamstow Fashion Week at St Mary's Church 
• Saturday 27 October working with community groups and police representatives to try to prevent the damage the proposed EDL march will do to our community cohesion.

The Boundary Commission revised proposals - Statement from Walthamstow CLP

Walthamstow Constituency Labour Party (CLP) has issued the following statement on the revised proposals for constituency boundaries published on October 16th:

"Walthamstow Labour Party is extremely disappointed at the Boundary Commission's decision to divide the Walthamstow constituency between Leyton and Chingford.

"We find this decision extraordinary and wholly incompatible with the needs of both Walthamstow, Leyton and Chingford residents, not least because it contradicts the arguments made in the report itself about communities of interest. In particular the report acknowledges the north circular as a natural boundary and yet seeks to create a new constituency which is riven in two by it and another artificially separated from its main shopping and public areas. We also feel strongly that Walthamstow, which is in the Domesday book, deserves a voice in parliament which reflects its status as a coherent community and that Chingford and Leyton do too as distinctive localities. Without a reversal of this arbitrary decision there is a real risk the creation of new constituencies in neighbouring boroughs will fatally undermine Walthamstow's vibrant community spirit with disastrous consequences for democracy and civic society. 

"We will be pressing the Boundary Commission to look again at this decision and encouraging residents to make their feelings known through written submissions to the Commission in the next eight weeks to ensure Walthamstow retains its distinctive position not just as the heart of Waltham Forest but within Westminster too." 

Simon Redfern, Chair Walthamstow CLP

Further details can be found here: 
http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/static/

HAVE YOUR SAY:
There will be a public meeting in Walthamstow about this in the near future. Please bookmark and check this blog for further details.

The Boundary Commission process

The current parliamentary boundary review began in 2011, and is being carried out under the terms of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act which provides that:

·         The size of parliament shall be fixed at 600 members (compared with the current 650)

·         The electorate of every constituency shall be not more than 5% above or below a national Electoral Quota.  (There are three protected areas not subject to this rule.)

·         There shall be a review in every five-year fixed term parliament.

The national Electoral Quota has been calculated based on the registered parliamentary electorate in December 2010 and is 76,641. The acceptable range of electorates is therefore 72,810 to 80,473 (five per cent above or below the Electoral Quota).

The Commission produced Provisional Recommendations which were then subject to a consultation period. This first draft was published in September 2011 and consulted on. Today's second draft of Revised Recommendations represents the Commission's response to that public consultation. These are  subject to a further consultation period of eight weeks before being finalised.

The Commission must then report to parliament before October 2013. Parliament will then consider the reports and if they are accepted the new constituencies come into force at the next general election.

The Commission may if it thinks fit take into account:

Local authority boundaries

Existing constituency boundaries

Special geographical circumstances such as the size, shape and accessibility of a constituency

            Any local ties that may be broken by changes

The Commission has indicated it will if at all reasonably possible, use district and unitary wards as building blocks. In England, the Commission has decided that it will respect the boundaries of European electoral regions. The allocation of seats in Greater London is 68, compared with the current 73. There would therefore be 5 fewer.

The Boundary Commission summary of its proposals for the Greater London region can be viewed here.

They are consulting on the revised proposals for an eight‑week period, from 16 October 2012 to 10 December 2012, and they encourage everyone to use this final opportunity to contribute to the design of the new constituencies. 

How to have your say:

• Go to the Commission website
• or write direct to Boundary Commission for England, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ

• or email london@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk. 

The Liberal Democrat Conference in September overwhelmingly backed Nick Clegg's  plan to block Conservative plans for Westminster boundary changes, following the failure to get reform of the House of Lords. If this position is adhered to then the proposals would fail to be passed by Parliament, and so would not become law.

Walthamstow..the final days (part 2, Boundary Commission version)

The Boundary Commission published its revised draft of proposed new boundaries for the Westminster parliamentary constituencies today. These effectively dismantle Walthamstow, dividing it between Chingford and Leyton. The image below shows the distribution: the upper part shows the wards of Higham Hill, William Morris, Chapel End, and Wood Street become part of a new Chingford Constituency, whilst Hoe Street, High Street, Markhouse and Lea Bridge become part of a new Leyton constituency (note the two maps show some of the same strip of land twice)

Where's Walthamstow?

You can view and download the original maps from the Boundary Commission website here:
Chingford
Leyton

Walthamstow..the final days

Scurrilous video on the Stoke Newington - Walthamstow Village nexus. Warning contains some mild language.

Walthamstow..the final days

Where to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow this week

• On Saturday 13^th October I’ll be at the Apple Day at the Vestry House Museum
• On Monday 15th October I’ll be taking part in Home Office Questions.
• On Thursday 18th October I will be speaking at a UN Women's event in parliament on the work we're doing as part of #OBRUK to tackle violence against women 
• On Friday 19^th October I’ll be visiting Birmingham to hold another #OBRUK workshop.
• On Saturday 20^th October I’ll be attending the TUC rally for an alternative economic policy in central London and taking one lucky local resident on a trip to see Strictly Come Dancing being recorded. 

Conference Report from Walthamstow CLP Delegate

Our CLP delegate to this year's Labour Party Conference in Manchester was John Williams, and we're very glad to be able to include here this report of his time there:

DELEGATE’S REPORT TO WALTHAMSTOW CLP

                                                                   October 2012

Dear Comrade

I soon discovered that the laws of physics and politics converge at conference: you cannot be in two places at once.

I was mindful of keeping the balance of being your delegate on the conference floor, voting, attending a wide range of fringe meetings and joining in a great social event.  Over six days, conference was many things:

A Rally:  The centrepiece being the Leader’s Speech.  The confidence in Ed’s whole delivery electrified the room and he came across as a man driven by conviction: funny, passionate yet relaxed with his party.  Simply by being himself and speaking from the heart, the falsehoods of Cameron, Clegg and Osborne were exposed.  He developed One Nation further in a quite intimate Q&A the next day which demonstrated his new-found rapport.  His performance inspired confidence in us, but the conference has just as importantly, and very clearly, boosted his own confidence. 

A Policy Forum: The array of fringe meetings was bewildering.  The standard of speakers and the quality of debate were very high.  All key think tanks, campaigns and interest groups were present, and panels included academics, journalists and unions as well as politicians.  I tended to the events where my interest was greatest, chiefly democracy and ethics, Europe, transport, local government.  Details of all my activities are set out in the appendix.

Policy Development: The plenary sessions allowed the shadow Cabinet to set out new policies, introduce their teams and listen to a range of contributions from the floor.  I am keeping this part of my report brief as you can read the speeches at http://www.labour.org.uk/news  Conference also debated contemporary motions including ours on the housing crisis.  This involved voting in a ballot to get it agreed for consideration, and then attending a long “compositing” meeting where the different views were hammered out to reach a compromise.  This was an extraordinary and secretive forum of raw politics, not always comfortable, but certainly memorable.  Another privilege for delegates was the Policy Seminars where everyone was able to speak to senior figures on the topics covered in the plenary sessions.  There was a danger of incoherence at times, but all views have been recorded and taken back.

A Great Social Event: From official receptions given by the astonishing range of groups making up the Labour movement, to parties thrown by interest groups, to informal gatherings and many private conversations, it was a huge family party.  It was so invigorating to spend a week in Labour Manchester with Labour people, meeting old friends and making new ones.  The accessibility of well-known figures to ordinary party members and to young politicians building their careers is a lasting memory.

A link with the local party: I have come away with new ideas, contacts, but most of all an enthusiasm that I hope we can all draw on in our work over the coming year.  I am happy to talk to anyone about the conference experience generally, details of debates and votes,  or specific events attended. 

Many thanks for choosing me as your delegate this year: an experience not to be missed if you are thinking about it yourself.

Yours fraternally

John Williams

General introductory session to Community Organising with Movement for Change and Kathryn Perera

Movement for Change are offering a general introductory session to Community Organising for London activists on 13th October (about 3 hours) It will be at 23 Orford Road Walthamstow London E17 9NL [see map]. It will look at the key principles of community organising and how they can be used to develop community campaigns in Walthamstow and other constituencies. 

We can accommodate a maximum of 20 attendees. The event is open to Labour Party members, activists, and supporters from across London; Walthamstow members and activists will get priority but it will get booked up. The speakers will include Kathryn Perera, CEO of M4C, and Kate Talbot. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. To book contact 07957 242221.

In Walthamstow we have already run a number of community campaigns, including the missing millions voter registration, the end legal loan sharking campaign [now taken up nationally], the heat and eat project, the sexual health services provision campaign, and the riots response panel. If there are issues you feel strongly about this is the ideal way to learn how to link up with others who share your feelings and develop a campaign. Our CLP's work with M4C on Loan Sharking was singled out as an example of best practice by Labour Party General Secretary Iain McNicoll at the London Labour reception at Conference last week.

Where to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow this week

• On Tuesday 9^th October at the launch of ‘Waltham Forest Heart in the Community’ project on public health at the Cathall leisure centre and then meeting with the Coppermill Recycled Teenagers at the Mill Community Centre and then speaking at the ‘We are Waltham Forest’ public meeting along with Jennette Arnold and Irfan Akhtar (details opposite). 
• Wednesday 10^th October I’ll be meeting with the young people who attend East London Out Project’s youth group and visiting the Health and Happiness Project in Lea Bridge. 
• On Thursday 11^th October I’m heading to North Wales and Liverpool to run a#OBRUK training workshops on tackling violence against women as well as speaking at the Liverpool Co-op Party about the legal loan shark campaign. 
• On Friday 12^th October I’m holding an appointment only constituency surgery at the Town Hall. Ring 020 8521 1223 for an appointment at one of my future surgeries.