Saturday, April 09, 2005
Campaigning to keep Tooting Labour
At last the campaign has begun in earnest, and I have been overwhelmed by the good will, support and pride on the doorstep that I am standing for Labour in Tooting. I am really grateful to all the well wishers.
In addition to the traditional campaigning activities taking place I have also been to the Hindu Society at their luncheon club. After meeting users and taking part in a question and answer seesion I joined the users for a fantastic lunch. The users of the Hindu Society were particularly pleased with the announcements by Gordon Brown in his recent budget including the £200 Council tax rebate and the continuation of the Winter allowance scheme (£200 for those between 60 and 79 or £300 for those aged 80+). I was reminded that previously there was a really complex formula where temparatures had to be below a certain level for so many days before the Tory Government would give a miserly £50 towards heating costs!
I have also met recently with the Wandsworth Volunteer Bureau. I was keen to get an update on the voluntary sector umbrella body set up in Wandsworth, being only too familiar of how the savage cuts by this Tory Council have affected our voluntary organisations in Wandsworth.
The umbrella body is an exciting initiative and will collectively represent the views of the voluntary and community sector groups here in Wandsworth. For further information you can visit their website on www.wandsworthvb.org.uk.
I have also been working closely with the Woodcraft Folk to ensure that they continue to be properly funded. I organised for a meeting with the Minister responsible for funding to the Woodcraft folk, Margaret Hodge MP. She was very impressed with the delegation who attended the meeting and in particular the younger members. As a consequence of my intervention I am pleased that Woodcraft will continue to get the help they richly deserve, to help them continue with the fantasic work they do. You can see more details about this educational movement for children and young people and their work at www.woodcraftfolk.org.uk .
Sadiq
In addition to the traditional campaigning activities taking place I have also been to the Hindu Society at their luncheon club. After meeting users and taking part in a question and answer seesion I joined the users for a fantastic lunch. The users of the Hindu Society were particularly pleased with the announcements by Gordon Brown in his recent budget including the £200 Council tax rebate and the continuation of the Winter allowance scheme (£200 for those between 60 and 79 or £300 for those aged 80+). I was reminded that previously there was a really complex formula where temparatures had to be below a certain level for so many days before the Tory Government would give a miserly £50 towards heating costs!
I have also met recently with the Wandsworth Volunteer Bureau. I was keen to get an update on the voluntary sector umbrella body set up in Wandsworth, being only too familiar of how the savage cuts by this Tory Council have affected our voluntary organisations in Wandsworth.
The umbrella body is an exciting initiative and will collectively represent the views of the voluntary and community sector groups here in Wandsworth. For further information you can visit their website on www.wandsworthvb.org.uk.
I have also been working closely with the Woodcraft Folk to ensure that they continue to be properly funded. I organised for a meeting with the Minister responsible for funding to the Woodcraft folk, Margaret Hodge MP. She was very impressed with the delegation who attended the meeting and in particular the younger members. As a consequence of my intervention I am pleased that Woodcraft will continue to get the help they richly deserve, to help them continue with the fantasic work they do. You can see more details about this educational movement for children and young people and their work at www.woodcraftfolk.org.uk .
Sadiq
