Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Tuesday 19th December - raising concerns about the lack of provision of mental health services for young people in health questions and then taking part in the Finance Bill debate to raise the 'Ladydata' campaign to secure gender impact assessments of the Government's economic policies 
• Wednesday 20th December - Debate on the EU Withdrawal Bill continues. Again this debate is likely to continue late into the night. I will also be hosting the Come Dine with MP dinner with Chuka Umunna - details below of how you can win this ballot. 
• Thursday 21st December - joining the christmas party for older residents at the Community Hub on Orford Road. 
• Friday 22nd December- this is the last day my office will be open until Tuesday 2nd January 2018. During the Christmas break you can reach me on this email address or in emergencies please call the Council switchboard on 020 8496 3000 who will be able to contact me. The e-newsletter will resume on the first week of January 2018. Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year to all Walthamstow residents!

_________________________________________________

Win Dinner with Chuka or June in our 

'Come Dine With MP' Ballot

To help raise funds for our local campaigning, Walthamstow Labour Party hosts a regular ballot to win dinner with myself and a special guest. The Come Dine With MP dinners take place in central London and tickets for the ballot start from just £3 - you can win dinner with Chuka Umunna MP, the former Shadow Business Secretary and Chair of Vote Leave Watch, on Wednesday 20th January and with June Sarpong, TV presenter and author, on Tuesday 16th January 2018. You can buy your tickets for this ballot online here.

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Monday 11th December- raising the "LadyData" campaign in parliament as part of the Finance Bill - please see below for details. Please note this debate is likely to continue late into the evening. 
• Tuesday 12th December - speaking in the EU Withdrawal Bill debate about the value of freedom of movement. Again this debate is likely to run late into the evening. 
• Wednesday 13th December - Debate on the EU Withdrawal Bill continues. Again this debate is likely to continue late into the night. Please note that due to staff shortages my office will be closing at 4:00pm on this date. 
• Friday 15th December - Visiting the school for the winner of my christmas card competition and then spending the day with the Metropolitan Police as part of the 'walk the met' project. 
• Saturday 16th December- dropping into the Gnome House Winter Warmer event.

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Monday 4th December- the EU Withdrawal Bill returns to parliament. This debate is likely to continue late into the night. 
• Tuesday 5th December - attending the Political Studies Association Awards. 
• Wednesday 6th December - Debate on the EU Withdrawal Bill continues. Again this debate is likely to continue late into the night. 
• Thursday 7th December - dropping into the Willowfield Citizenship session, then the Fundraiser for the Christian Kitchen and then helping to host the Labour and Cooperative Housing Campaign Fundraiser. Details below of how to join. 
• Saturday 9th December- heading to Calais with the Warmth from Walthamstow donations. Please see below for details of how you can contribute to help refugees.

_____________________________________________

Help Protect Refugees and Freedom of Movement: 

Video to Watch and Share

Freedom of Movement has given British and EU citizens opportunities that have changed their lives. Now it’s under threat as part of the Brexit negotiations - residents in Walthamstow have helped make a short film of people who know first-hand the difference it has made to help show this impact. Thank you to all those who took part in making this film. Please help us fight to ensure the Government does not behind closed doors remove these rights, or the rights covering refugees and child refugees who are eligible to come to the UK via the Dubs transfer scheme by sharing this short film on your social media. 

Please also ask friends and family who live in other areas of Britain to watch this film and to share it with their MP and ask them to sign Amendment 332 to the EU Withdrawal Bill. 

A reminder too, that on Saturday 9th December I will be travelling to Calais to take donations of warm clothes and bedding equipment to refugees sleeping rough in Northern France. If you would like to donate items for refugees please bring them to my office at 23 Orford Road E17 9NL before Friday 8th December during office hours.

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Tuesday 28th November- attending the Waltham Forest Police Commendation Ceremony and then speaking at the Tower Hamlets Labour Party Campaign Fundraiser 
• Thursday 30th November - helping to host a fundraising quiz for Sarcoma UK.
• Friday 1st December- attending parliament to support the parliamentary constituencies amendment bill and then attending the public meeting on crime and anti social behaviour in Walthamstow. Details below. 
• Saturday 2nd December - attending the Barncroft Christmas Fayre and then the Side by Side Refugee Fundraiser at St Marys Church.

______________________________

Crime in Walthamstow: Letter to the Mayor's Office, Acid Attack Consultation and Public Meeting

This week I have written formally to the Deputy Mayor for Policing to ask for her assistance to ensure Walthamstow has the community policing it needs in the months ahead to tackle gang crime. If you would like to see this letter and my request for their help you can see it on my facebook page here. Please do follow this page for updates on issues such as this during the week between these e-newsletters.

In addition to extra police on our streets and in light of the recent rise in acid attacks, there is now growing support for the introduction of a new offence preventing the sale of products with the most harmful corrosive substances to under 18s. This is intended to be similar to the existing knife legislation and is in response to the significant proportion of known offenders who are under 18. Introducing this offence would make it harder for under 18s to obtain products containing the most harmful corrosive substances that are of particular concern and which are being used as weapons to inflict serious harm and severe life changing injuries. You can comment on these proposals here.

On Friday 1st December, I will also be attending a public meeting in Higham Hill, organised by Cllr Karen Bellamy, with the Leader of Waltham Forest Council Cllr Clare Coghill and Borough Commander Richard Tucker. The meeting will take place at Whittingham Primary School and doors will open at 6.30pm.

Walthamstow Labour Party Local Education Survey

Walthamstow Labour Party Local Education Survey: 

Please Complete

Hospitals are not the only public services struggling with PFI debt - schools across Britain are as well including some in Walthamstow. Our schools are also facing real terms cuts in their budgets and challenges with staff retention and morale. So too, it is vital to celebrate the achievements of our young residents and recognise some of the social and cultural issues our students are experiencing. 

To this end Walthamstow Labour Party members are seeking to develop campaigns around education and are asking for the help of local residents to inform this work. In particular, they would like local parents, pupils, school staff and governors to complete this short survey - this survey will remain open until the end of September, it is anonymous and the results will be shared with the local community. 

You can find the survey online here

if you would like to be part of this campaign work please email.

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Sunday 3rd September- speaking at the Jewish Labour Movement conference on tackling hate crime. 
• Tuesday 5th September - returning to parliament to participate in a debate on the situation in Venezuela and speak at the launch of the campaign for single market membership to be part of the Brexit deal
• Wednesday 6th September- meeting with Ministers to discuss Walthamstow's Union for the self employed and celebrating Eid with colleagues in the national Labour Party. 
• Thursday 7th September- taking part in a GMB union event on our work to tackle companies using tips to top up employee incomes and attending the Walthamstow Labour Party General Committee Meeting.
• Friday 8th September- holding an appointment only advice surgery for local residents. To book an appointment please call 020 8521 1223. 
• Saturday 9th September- holding an open advice surgery between 2-4pm. Please keep an eye on social media for confirmation of the venue.
• Sunday 10th September- joining the Walthamstow Farmers Market in the town square to celebrate their 10th Anniversary of operation.

PFI is bankrupting Britain. But there are ways to set ourselves free - Stella Creasy MP

Concerned at the problems facing the Barts Health trust in laying off PFI debt, and at the effect they're like to have on Whipps Cross hospital Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy writes in the Guardian

today:

"Next time you have an appointment cancelled at hospital, or a headteacher tells you their school will be losing staff because of budget cuts, ask how much PFI debt they have – the answer may surprise you. My hospital trust, in north-east London, spends nearly £150m a year repaying its PFI debt – nearly half of which is on interest payments. If Theresa May is serious about taking on the unacceptable face of capitalism, she could save Britain a fortune if she goes after the legal loan sharks of the public sector.

New research from the Centre for Health and the Public Interest (CHPI) shows just how much these debts are hurting our NHS. Over the next five years, almost £1bn of taxpayer funds will go to PFI companies in the form of pre-tax profits. That’s 22% of the extra £4.5bn given to the Department of Health in the 2015 spending review, and money that would otherwise have been available for patient care."

Full article here

Labour Party - Conference Arrangements Committee Elections 2017

The ballot is now on to elect members of the Labour Party - Conference Arrangements Committee. Eligible members will have been sent an email, but it's easy to miss in a crowded inbox! 

The subject header is likely to be:

"Labour Party - Conference Arrangements Committee Elections 2017"

and it's likely to have been received around 17 July, or a reminder on 24 July. This may help narrow down the inbox search.

Members can choose to vote online and that will save the party money. Paper ballot papers will be posted over the next week or so to those who have not voted online, though you can still at that stage vote online (which saves slightly less money . . )

The deadline for casting votes, whether online, or by post is noon on September 8th

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Monday 10th July - attending parliament to question the Prime Minister on her discussions with other leaders at the G20 summit 
• Thursday 13th July - visiting Holy Family College to run a citizenship lesson for students
• Friday 14th July - helping to host the Stow Stories Social event with the E17 People's Library. Details below. 
• Saturday 15th July - visiting a local care home to meet with residents and then supporting the Walthamstow Garden Party.

_____________________________

Free Sodo Pizza at the E17 People's Library and Stow Stories Social 

As part of helping to support positive community relationships in Walthamstow, Stow Story Socials are opportunities for residents to come together over refreshments and share their stories about our community. This project was developed following the EU referendum as part of We17 to help address concerns about social tension and division. 

This project is now joining forces with a new project starting in Walthamstow called the E17 People's Library. The E17 People's Library is a social history project to celebrate the diversity and richness of the life stories and talents of all the beautiful people living in E17. They want to listen, share and learn from each other, bringing neighbours old and new together to show how and why Walthamstow means welcome.

The next event will be on Friday 14th July at the new Community venue CentrE17 from 6.30pm to 8pm. We'll be eating pizza from Sodo Pizza and sharing stories about our community- All Walthamstow residents are welcome to attend - we only ask that you bring something non alcoholic for people to drink that can be shared and RSVP to let us know how many cups we need!

Tower Block Safety in Walthamstow: Update from Stella Creasy MP

In her Working for Walthamstow newsletter this week Stella Creasy MP reports

"Further to last week's e-newsletter I have had more updates from
Waltham Forest Council and local housing associations regarding the fire safety measures they have reviewed in our local tower blocks. To date, all the cladding tested by the Government in the light of the Grenfell Tower tragedy has failed safety testing, and there has been extensive discussion of this issue in parliament. 

Locally, Waltham Forest Council are updating residents via their website regarding the 21 blocks over the height of six storeys in Waltham Forest. They state the following: 

"We know that many people in the borough and across London have valid concerns about fire safety in high-rise buildings following the tragic incident at Grenfell Tower. The safety of residents and tenants should always be paramount for local authorities. A small number of tall buildings are under construction in the borough, including the Hill Residential scheme at 97 Lea Bridge Road. We are liaising closely with the developer and contractor through our Building Control team to ensure that design and construction maximises the safety of occupants. As a new-build development the installation of sprinkler systems will be required to comply with modern fire safety regulations. This development will not use the cladding system that was used at Grenfell Tower.

The major refurbishment of Lea Bridge House is being undertaken by Paradigm Housing through the contractor Rydon who completed the works at Grenfell House. The council is working closely with Paradigm to ensure the 10-storey building meets and exceeds mandatory safety regulations.

The project involves the refurbishment of the original 1960s residential block, with the addition of two four-storey wings. It does not involve the installation of external cladding. As part of the scheme fire prevention and safety measures will be implemented including a fire-suppression sprinkler system, a measure that exceeds current fire safety regulations for renovation of older properties, and the existing windows will be replaced with powder-coated aluminium frames that are far less combustible than the more traditional UPVC type.

It is important and right that we continue to provide high-quality, affordable housing for the residents and workers of the borough. To maintain the balance between housing and essential infrastructure such as parks, schools, shops and health centres we sometimes have no option but to build upwards. At the same time, we will keep a keen watch on the investigation into the Grenfell Tower disaster so that we can immediately implement any recommendations to maximise the safety of our residents."

In addition to the local authority, other Housing Associations are also reviewing the safety of their buildings. As part of this London and Quadrant have written to me regarding the Walthamstow Dog track site - now called Stadium Place- and state the following: 

"Our surveys have found that there is aluminium cladding on a block at Stadium Place. This cladding is being tested as a matter of urgency. We have employed security personnel who will patrol the block 24 hours a day, until we receive the results of the test. We have written to residents to let them know. We have also notified the fire authority. Our staff are on site to offer guidance and reassurance.

If the test results tell us that the materials pose a fire risk, they will be removed and replaced as soon as possible. If there is an immediate risk to our residents, we will move them to suitable alternative accommodation until we can resolve the problem."

Furthermore, I can also confirm that Waltham Forest Council are following up on residents concerns about the Travelodge next to Walthamstow Central Station and the Scene development on Walthamstow High Street. I will continue to update residents on the information I receive on these issues via this e-newsletter. 

Residents may also be interested in supporting this action along with other Walthamstow neighbours to help a nursery which was based in the Grenfell Tower - you can find more details here."

To subscribe to the Working for Walthamstow newsletter email Stella Creasy MP

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Monday 26th June to Wednesday 28th June - returning to parliament to work on fighting for equality to be a priority in the Queen's Speech - see here for details. 
• Thursday 29th June - voting on the Queen's Speech and then helping campaign in the William Morris By-election.
• Friday 30th June - visiting local community projects including Locus Walthamstow. 
• Saturday 1st July - Holding a drop in advice surgery in Walthamstow town square 2-4pm. Please note this is tbc so please follow Facebook and Twitter for confirmation of venue.

The Government must show it is not willing to use women’s bodies as bargaining chips

Walthamstow CLP women's officer Jade Azim has written in support of the Queen's Speech amendment to secure equal treatment under the NHS in England for women who live in Northern Ireland (more here on this blog). In inews - the online tabloid newspaper from the Independent group - she writes:

"Last week’s Queen’s Speech was delivered by a government that has dragged the DUP – who have wreaked havoc for women and LGBTQ people in Northern Ireland – into the mainstream of British politics. It could be an era in which women’s reproductive rights come under attack – if we let it. 

"But there is nothing more powerful than a group of determined sisters. Stella Creasy MP, supported by progressive MPs and activists from British Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bpas) and UK Friends of Planned Parenthood (UKFPP) are working to do the opposite: use this moment in time –in the 50th anniversary year of the passing of the 1967 Abortion Act – to extend the enshrined rights of women in mainland Britain to Northern Irish women, by tabling an amendment to the Queen’s Speech that would extend NHS cover for abortion procedures to Northern Irish women. 

"The law cuts out the poorest women. Currently, Northern Irish women often have to travel to England to terminate unwanted pregnancies, facing distress and considerable costs that can lock out the poorest women. More than 700 women and girls from Northern Ireland travelled to England in 2016 to access abortion clinics. For many of these women, this journey is desperately expensive. A recent court case was brought to the Supreme Court – narrowly being overturned – by a woman who travelled to England with her mother when she was 15 for an abortion in Manchester. It cost her £900. That’s a £900 price tag on services other British women can rightfully access freely."

Jade is also organiser for UK Friends of Planned Parenthood. She worked with Stella Creasy on the amendment to the Queen’s Speech tabled to call for women from Northern Ireland to have access to free abortions in England.

Read the full article by Jade Azim here

Read Stella Creasy MP in the Guardian here

Contact your MP to support the amendment: My Pledge Her Choice

"Let’s make this moment in British politics a positive one for women’s rights."

Stella Creasy MP coordinates cross-party amendment to NI abortion rights

The Guardian today carries news of a cross-party campaign to bring abortion rights under the NHS for women in Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. The amendment is coordinated by Stella Creasy Labour MP for Walthamstow, with the support of the Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley. It asks the government to consider legislating so women from Northern Ireland have NHS abortion provision when they travel to England to terminate a pregnancy.

The DUP, with whom Theresa May is seeking an agreement to support her minority Conservative government, have historically taken a hard line on abortion, and Northern Ireland has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. No deal has yet been reached by the Conservatives with the DUP, but Stella Creasy said parties needed assurances not only that any pact with the DUP would not affect current equalities law, but that it would not tie the government’s hands when future legislation was needed.

“In this parliament it is not just a matter of whether hard-won progress on issues like inclusive sex and relationship education or access to services for same-sex couples will be under attack by this coalition, but also what issues don’t get addressed and are ignored. It is vital we do not let the fight for equality be sidelined, as it is clear without action Northern Irish women will pay the price for the government doing a deal to stay in power.”

In the general election earlier this month Stella Creasy was re-elected MP for Walthamstow with a majority of over 32,000 - an increase of more than 8,800 over her majority in the 2015 election.

Read the Guardian article in full here.

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Saturday 17th June- helping to run the Great Get Together in Walthamstow Town Square. All residents welcome.
• Sunday 18th June- attending further get togethers and street parties in Walthamstow.
• Tuesday 20th June- supporting the fight to re-open the Dubs amendment and help refugee children. 
• Wednesday 21st June- attending the Queens Speech to parliament 
• Thursday 22nd June- hosting a thank you event for all those who helped with my general election campaign and attending the Walthamstow Labour Party General meeting.

The great Walthamstow get together - this Saturday 6-10pm Town Square

On Saturday 17th June Walthamstow will be coming together in our town square from 6pm to show we have more in common than divides us - you can win prizes including nandos vouchers and cinema tickets by making your own social media shareable content about this and sharing your entries to this competition with local MP Stella Creasy via her facebook: www.facebook.com/stellacreasy or her twitter: @stellacreasy. Click the image to watch the video . . . 

Watch the video!

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Monday 12th June - returning to parliament as the Labour and Cooperative MP for Walthamstow.
• Saturday 17th June- helping to run the Great Get Together in Walthamstow Town Square. All residents welcome- please see below for full details and how to register for free food or help with this volunteer led event.

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy, Labour's candidate for Walthamstow on June 8th

• Monday 29th May - attending the Walthamstow CLP General Election Fundraiser. To find out more click here. 
• Tuesday 30th May - holding a meeting to discuss setting up a trade union for Walthamstow's self employed residents. To sign up to come click here. 
• Thursday 1st June - attending the volunteers week events in Walthamstow town centre and speaking in Croydon about the General Election and campaigning in Tooting. 
• Friday 2nd June- attending the launch of the E17 Art Trail. 

Stella, in her latest newsletter, says

"Thank you to everyone who has been in touch to support my campaign to be re-elected as the Labour and Cooperative MP for Walthamstow. If you would like to help my campaign, let me know you'll be voting for me or request a poster for your window to show your support you can do so via my website."

Manchester - announcement from Iain McNicol, and statement from Jeremy Corbyn

"Following the dreadful events in Manchester last night Jeremy Corbyn has spoken with the Prime Minister and has agreed that that all national campaigning in the General Election will be suspended until further notice.

"In addition, for today we are asking that all local Labour Party campaigning is suspended. This includes leaflet rounds, calling, door knocking, events and hustings. Please see below for a statement from Jeremy Corbyn.

With best wishes,

Iain McNicol, General Secretary of the Labour Party"

_____________________________________

Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, said:

"I am horrified by the horrendous events in Manchester last night. My thoughts are with families and friends of those who have died and been injured. 

"Today the whole country will grieve for the people who have lost their lives. 

"I have spoken with Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, who has fully briefed me on the operational response in the city. 

"I would like to pay tribute to the emergency services for their bravery and professionalism in dealing with last night's appalling events.

"I have spoken with the Prime Minister and we have agreed that all national campaigning in the general election will be suspended until further notice."

General Election Fundraiser - Labour Family Fortunes Competition & Curry

(Cut the 'flannel' . . . .  tickets online at Billetto)

Walthamstow Constituency Labour Party
proudly presents its 

General Election 2017 Fundraiser

8-11pm, May 29, 2017

Walthamstow Community Hub
18a Orford Road, London E17 9NL

A night of competition and curry suitable for teams of supporters and members of the Labour movement of all ages, it's hosted by John O'Farrell (author of 'Things Can Only Get Better', 'An Utterly Impartial History of Britain' etc) and special guests....

John O'Farrell - an utterly impartial historian of Britain

Tickets are just £18 a head (£15 concessions) for those who book in advance and include a fantastic three course curry buffet dinner. You can also buy a group ticket for five people for just £70 or a team table for ten of just £135.

As part of the evening, tables will compete in a variety of challenges - from a round of Labour Family fortunes, to Neil Gerrard's Game of Testing Trivia, and Guess the Speaker's Speech Seconds- with the winning team taking home both the glory and the prize pot of £100.

Family Fortunes

Have a go at the Family Fortunes quiz here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6KYNQQZ 

Curry Dinner
Please note dinner will be served shortly after sundown.

To Book:

• Get tickets online at Billetto
• Alternatively email campaigns@workingforwalthamstow.org.uk 
• or call 07957228019.

Why Does it Matter?

• Working people would be £2,300 worse off under Theresa May’s watered down National Living Wage.
• Only a Labour government will deliver a £10 minimum wage- with 46% of people in Walthamstow earning less than this and 11,000 children living in poverty here the choice at the election is clear.
• Without action, soon there will be more people living below the breadline in our country than there were under Margaret Thatcher- that's why if I am re-elected I will fight for a real living wage, affordable housing and local job creation to help Walthamstow's residents live debt free.

Thank you for your all your support and feedback so far - together in the month ahead we can show why Walthamstow and Britain can have a better future with a Labour Government.

All funds go towards the costs of the General Election campaign 

to get Stella Creasy re-elected as Labour and Cooperative MP for Walthamstow. 

For queries about this event:

email campaigns@workingforwalthamstow.org.uk or call 07957228019.

This event is promoted by Dan Neidle on behalf of Stella Creasy, both at 23 Orford Road E17 9NL.

Labour's key manifesto pledges

1. Making work pay: A real living wage of £10 per hour by 2020.
2. Investment in Britain: Labour's £500bn big deal to upgrade the economy.
3. Take back control: Rail, energy, water and Royal Mail in public ownership.
4. Jobs and economy first: A Brexit for the many not the few.
5. Extend childcare: 30 hours for all 2 to 4 year olds.
6. Our children's futures: Increase schools funding, cut class sizes and free school meals for all primary school children.
7. Free education: Scrap tuition fees and college fees.
8. End the NHS crisis: Extra funding for our health service.
9. Dignity for all: Towards a National Care Service.
10. Your community safer: 10,000 extra police officers.
11. Decent homes for all: A million new homes to rent or buy.
12. Tax guarantee: No VAT, national insurance or income tax rise for 95%.

Labour will build a Britain for the many not the few

View the manifesto online 

here

Cllr Nadeem Ali: A Tribute

This weekend Walthamstow lost one of its own - William Morris Councillor and Former local Mayor Nadeem Ali tragically died aged just 34 years old on Saturday 13th May. 

Stella Creasy has issued this tribute in her working for walthamstow newsletter this week, and we in Walthamstow Labour Party wish to endorse it fully:

"Nadeem was incredibly proud of his home town, and a passionate advocate for the Labour Party too. He served as Mayor 2013-2014, and superbly represented the borough at both many local and national events. His many friends and family in our community are devastated by his untimely death and understandably distraught and there will be a number of commemoration events in the coming days at local venues to enable residents to pay their respects. 

"As well as being a well known and active figure in our local area, Nadeem was proud of his faith and a regular and powerful reciter of the Qu'ran at religious and community events. I shall personally miss his good humour as well as his kindness in his friendship, and I know many in Walthamstow will be thinking of his wife, family and friends at this difficult time. Out of respect to Nadeem, all local Labour Party campaigning for the General Election has been suspended for the remainder of this weekend."

The Worshipful the Mayor of Waltham Forest 2013-14 Cllr. Nadeem Ali, at the Remembrance Sunday service

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy, Labour's candidate for Walthamstow on June 8th

• Monday 15th May - attending the meeting on community safety in the High Street area organised by Cllr Clare Coghill with the Waltham Forest Police. 
• Wednesday 17th May - participating in the General Election hustings organised by St Marys Church.

Thank you to everyone who has been in touch to support my campaign to be re-elected as the Labour and Cooperative MP for Walthamstow. If you would like to help my campaign, let me know you'll be voting for me or request a poster for your window to show your support you can do so via my website.

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy, Labour's candidate for Walthamstow on June 8th

Please note, with effect from the dissolution of Parliament at midnight last Wednesday, there are no MPs and Stella Creasy is therefore no longer MP for Walthamstow. We will of course be campaigning very hard to make sure she is returned again to parliament for Walthamstow by the result on polling day on June 8th.

• Sunday 7th May - attending the E17 Designers Market
• Monday 8th May - awaiting the latest hearing regarding the man accused of raping and murdering Michelle Samaraweera 
• Friday 12th May- supporting the Refugee Fundraising Quiz
• Saturday 13th May - visiting the Tamil Sangam 
• Sunday 14th May - supporting our new Hoe Street Yard Market. Details below.

Hoe Street Market - Sunday 14th May 

Hoe St Market is a new monthly event in the front car park of the Trades Hall, 17, Hoe St, between the disused petrol station and Yard Sale Pizza. Starting on Sunday 14th May between 12-5pm, you can buy art, homeware and gifts from local designers as well as food and drinks from independent bakers, makers, producers and culinary wizards. They hope to pop up the second Sunday of every month.

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Sunday 30th April - attending the 'Disco Soup' local food forum in Wood Street. 
  
• Monday 1st May - at the launch of Hollywood E17 (see below for more details) and then at the Friends of Lloyd Park Dog Show
• Wednesday 3rd May - as parliament goes into dissolution, launching my formal campaign for re-election as the Labour and Cooperative MP for Walthamstow
• Thursday 4th May - speaking at the launch of Dianne Abbott's campaign for re-election
• Saturday 6th May - attending the First World War Event at Vestry House
• Sunday 7th May - attending the E17 Designers

Hollywood E17: Blue Plaque Unveiling by Paul McGann Monday 1 May 12pm 

One of the projects I have been working with in Walthamstow is a local scheme to celebrate our heritage as the birthplace of the British film industry. As part of this blue plaques are being sited to commemorate the locations of film production studios in Walthamstow. On Monday 1st May at midday there will be an unveiling ceremony with special guest, actor Paul McGann, at the site of the Precision Studios in Wood Street Walthamstow, now Beuleigh Court on Wood Street, on the junction of Wood Street and Lea Bridge Road at Whipps Cross roundabout. The event will then proceed to the Dukes Head, a regular hangout for the silent film industry and a 3 - 5 minute walk from the blue plaque site. To RSVP to this event please click here.

'I will never stop working for Walthamstow' - Stella Creasy MP

Following yesterday's announcement Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy wrote to all local Labour Party members:

"Today Theresa May has given us the opportunity to give this country and this community what it needs and deserves: a Labour Government.

Whatever the Tories throw at us I will never stop working for Walthamstow.

Ahead of a General Election on June 8th, I’m asking for your help and your voice to speak up for the following:

• An open and proud country which seeks to cooperate with our European neighbours – not close the door to investment, jobs and talent. I voted against the Article 50 legislation to send a message to Theresa May that abandoning the single market was wrong – now we need to send a message to this country that Labour will not let Tories lead Britain to a hard Brexit.
• The healthcare and housing our community desperately needs - cuts to health and social care are hurting many in our community, and too many people in Walthamstow are struggling to keep a roof above their heads. We urgently need investment in social housing as well as to tackle the rental and property market, and to ensure people not profits are at the centre of our NHS.
• Our local schools face budget cuts of up to 20% and many of our young people are struggling to stay in university or college. Local potential is going to waste. With more than one in ten residents self employed, it's vital for the future of our economy and our education to invest in skills and support services to help them succeed. Whilst Tories have cut this funding, Labour must lead the fight for an education service and economy fit for the 21st century.

I’m asking you now to join us fighting for our shared values and for our shared ambitions for Walthamstow and for our nation - whether helping deliver leaflets, donating time or money or being part of our teams out helping support Labour in marginal areas, it is our members and supporters who can make a deliver a different future for Britain.

If you want to be part of this fight please email with the best contact number for you and someone will call you shortly to discuss how best you can help.

Thank you for your support – together we can show Britain has a better future with Labour.

Stella Creasy MP

Labour and Cooperative MP for Walthamstow

p.s. Help us make sure everyone in Walthamstow eligible to vote can do so by sharing this link to register to vote online

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Tuesday 18th April - returning to parliament to take part in the Finance Bill debates on the Government's budget plans, and to host a women's leadership workshop. To book your place on the Circular Firing Up Squad which will take place at 6.30pm in parliament please email.
• Wednesday 19th April - attending the Freedom of Expression Awards to support the work of the Index on Censorship.
• Thursday 20th April - working with the refugee charity Flying Seagull to promote their work, and then attending a ceremony to thank the Dolphin Housing leadership team for investing in Butterfields in Walthamstow. 
• Friday 21st April - visiting Sir George Monoux Sixth Form College to meet with pupils. 
• Saturday 22nd April - speaking at the Cosmopolitan Magazine Self Made Summit to support women's leadership. 
• Sunday 23rd April - campaigning in the local elections in Witney and Oxford, as well as supporting a refugee charity event in the city.

E17 Housing Awards - Results! this Saturday 1.30pm Central Walthamstow

Stella Creasy MP writes:

"Over 800 residents have voted on who they think are the best and worst letting agents, estate agents and social landlords in Walthamstow in 2017. 

Book your free place at our E17 Housing Awards event on Saturday 25th March 2017 now to find out the results, and how you can be part of our campaign to take action to tackle Walthamstow's overheated housing market. 

This will include details on how you can help our campaigns to promote self build projects for local residents, to tackle homelessness in Walthamstow and to help cut the costs of renting. 

Whether tenants, homeowners, landlords, letting or estate agents, all are welcome to join us at this event which will take place at 1.30pm - 3pm at a Central Walthamstow location- to confirm your attendance and for full venue details RSVP to this email."

Labour and Cooperative MP for Walthamstow

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Monday 20th March- holding a residents only telephone advice surgery. To book an appointment please call 020 8521 1223. 
• Tuesday 21st March - Thursday 23rd March- travelling to Berlin as part of a delegation of British Labour MPs to meet with German politicians to discuss Brexit.
• Friday 24th March - attending the Annual Equality Dinner organised by Stonewall 
• Saturday 25th March- holding the E17 Housing Awards Results event (details here for how to attend) and then participating in Walthamstow Labour Party's special conference on its standing orders. 
• Sunday 26th March- attending the Pakistan Day celebrations organised by the Pak Cultural Society and then speaking at a pre- Passover debate at the North London Synagogue with Jonathan Freedland and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg on the subject of freedom and refugees.

An evening at Chequers: Walthamstow Labour Party pub quiz

Walthamstow Labour Party presents 

another in its award winning* 

series of pub quizzes:

AN EVENING AT CHEQUERS

Hosted by STELLA CREASY MP 

with Expert Quiz Master NEIL GERRARD 

SUNDAY APRIL 2nd 2017 8pm

QUIZ PRIZE MONEY £100!
RAFFLE! CAKE!
LIGHT REFRESHMENTS!
ALL WELCOME!

At THE CHEQUERS PUB 

145 High St, London, E17 7BX 

BOOK 

• online at BILLETTO
• or call 07957 228019, 
• or email: campaigns@workingforwalthamstow.org.uk

Tickets 

• in advance: £12 p/p  
• (unwaged/pensioners £10), £60 for a table of six 
• At the door: £14 p/p, £70 for a table of six. 

All proceeds from ticket sales, raffle tickets, and donations 

go to Walthamstow Labour Party Campaign Fund 

Promoted by Andy Dixon, Walthamstow Labour Party, 

23 Orford Road, London E17 9NL

*Mrs C thought they were jolly good

Public responses published from last autumn's consultation on 2018 Boundary Review

Today the Boundary Commission for England (bce) published the responses it received during the consultation period last autumn on the proposals it put forward for boundary changes, in line with Parliamentary legislation. More at 700 for Walthamstow.

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Sunday 26th February- supporting the Haymarket Theatre refugee charities fundraiser 
• Tuesday 28th February- holding an appointment only advice surgery for residents. To book an appointment please call 020 8521 1223. 
• Thursday 2nd March - speaking in a debate on equality for widows in parliament, before running a free women's leadership workshop in parliament (see below for how to book a space) and speaking at the Guardian International Women's Day event at the Barbican
• Friday 3rd March- speaking at the Women in Journalism Lunch. 
• Saturday 4th March- speaking at the Labour Party Waltham Forest Divests conference. Details here.

'Dance on' (as The Shadows played)

Buy your Come Dine with MP ballot ticket here 

Get your tickets for the ballot for dinner on Wednesday 22nd February 2017 at a Top London restaurant with Labour's sign writer extraordinaire and fantastic London MEP Seb Dance.

  

This ballot is open to supporters as well as members of the Labour Party and all funds raised will go towards Walthamstow Labour Party's campaigning.

Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow

• Tuesday 21st February- returning to parliament for the Criminal Finances Bill 
• Wednesday 22nd February- meeting with the CMA to discuss concerns about PFI financing 
• Thursday 23rd February - running a women's leadership project for the Citybridge community youth charity in Tower Hamlets and then taking part in the parliamentary debate on the treatment of refugee children before campaigning in the Copeland by-election
• Friday 24th February - attending parliament to ensure the Istanbul Convention Bill receives a report reading 
• Saturday 25th February- speaking at Student Pride in support of the provision of inclusive sex and relationship education in all schools
• Sunday 26th February- supporting the Haymarket Theatre refugee charities fundraiser

Burgers for Burghers - Labour Ward selections sponsored by MacDonalds?

Across London, borough Labour parties are beginning the process to select their candidates for the local elections in 2018. There will be interviews, and the inevitable wait . . .

"Stopping the Dubs scheme for child refugees is shameful and heartless"

Responding to yesterday's developments Stella Creasy MP writes in The Guardian:

"Less than a year ago, parliament passed the Dubs amendment with support across all political parties. Proudly we agreed that Britain should take its fair share of unaccompanied child refugees. Throughout the debates the number repeatedly mentioned was 3,000 – a fraction of the estimated 95,000 unaccompanied children in Europe seeking asylum. Now the government has announced they will cap this at 350 – shamefully claiming this is in the spirit of the amendment. Little wonder that Lord Dubs – himself a beneficiary of the Kindertransport programme in the 1930s to help children fleeing persecution from Nazi Germany – is rightly furious at such a betrayal.

Little wonder that on Wednesday the government attempted to hide the closure of this scheme by slipping out the details on the day of the Brexit vote in a written statement. Forced to come to parliament to explain herself by Yvette Cooper’s urgent question today, the home secretary angrily stated that the French government had asked for this scheme to end because it created a “pull” factor.

Yet having met with the French authorities this seems far-fetched at best. They were both adamant about the shared responsibility of each nation to these children and the need for Britain to take at least 1,000 as a result. So, too, it does nothing to explain why this change of policy is in the best interests of the thousands of children stuck in camps in Italy and Greece. Not a single child has come from these countries under this scheme to the UK, but many are eligible and all are at risk in their current locations.

Stopping the Dubs scheme will not end the stream of unaccompanied child refugees arriving in Europe from conflict-stricken nations. It will simply stop them travelling legally – and crucially safely – to a haven. The perceived pull factor of any such scheme is no match for the brutal push factors of the rape, war and political persecution that have made so many of them leave the comfort of home for the danger of the sea.

Perhaps those of us who have fought for the rights of these children should not be surprised at this move by Theresa May’s government. Already they had been trying to restrict the Dubs scheme by nationality, limiting it to those who are Syrian or Sudanese, and thus abandoning the many Afghan, Eritrean, Oromo or Ethiopian children stuck in Europe alone. So, too, when we attempted to amend legislation to ensure the UN convention on the rights of the child covered how these children were treated by Britain, the government voted it down.

Yet the despair many feel today isn’t just about the premature abolition of this scheme, it’s at our continued failure to treat these children with the decency and humanity we would wish for our own. In October last year, many of these orphaned children went willingly with officials to French reception centres in good faith, having been told they would be assessed for transfer to the UK.

Now they find out there is no hope of any such safety. Many are losing faith all together of any kind of future. Some have attempted suicide, others are back again jumping lorries in the dark to try to get to Britain. A damning indictment of the approach taken, charities estimate that 50 children a day are now arriving back in Calais, sleeping in the mud and vulnerable to the people traffickers and exploitation gangs which see them as an easy target.

Only a week ago Westminster echoed with condemnation for Donald Trump’s ban on Syrian refugees. Now our own government has announced it is closing the door to vulnerable children on our doorstep fleeing persecution, making a mockery of the claim to be a global Britain.

From Kindertransport to the Dubs amendments, protecting and caring for child refugees has been and must remain a British value. If the government doesn’t rethink this cruel and heartless decision, some of the most helpless children in the world will pay a heavy price for indifference. And if we don’t speak up about it, it won’t just be our international reputation at stake but our national pride too."