Friday, April 29, 2005
Bishop keeps order
Last night was the final hustings in Tooting of this general election campaign. It had been organised by Churches Together and held at the Upper Tooting Methodist Church. I have fond memories of this church as for many years the Labour Party General Committee met in the church hall.
Five of my competitors were there and potentially the hustings could have been 'yah boo' politics at its worst. The Bishop of Kingston, Rt Revd Hugh Montefiore, however had other ideas! He warned all of us at the outset that we needed to be terse in our answers and to the point. I have to be honest and admit that I enjoyed two of my opponents being chastised by the Bishop for not getting to the point of the question and waffling on. Of course the Bishop had no reason to tell me off!
The hustings was very well attended and at one stage the Bishop did a Dimbleby and asked the members of the audience whether they'd vote Yes or No in a referendum on the European constitution. Unfortunately the No's won it by 28 votes to 23, however it was closer than I would have thought bearing in mind the hostility of the media to anything European.
It's quite sad that this will be the last hustings of this campaign as I have thoroughly enjoyed answering in a public forum questions put by constituents. It has also been quite good fun seeing some of my opponents squirm under interrogation from residents about some of their policies.
Sadiq
Five of my competitors were there and potentially the hustings could have been 'yah boo' politics at its worst. The Bishop of Kingston, Rt Revd Hugh Montefiore, however had other ideas! He warned all of us at the outset that we needed to be terse in our answers and to the point. I have to be honest and admit that I enjoyed two of my opponents being chastised by the Bishop for not getting to the point of the question and waffling on. Of course the Bishop had no reason to tell me off!
The hustings was very well attended and at one stage the Bishop did a Dimbleby and asked the members of the audience whether they'd vote Yes or No in a referendum on the European constitution. Unfortunately the No's won it by 28 votes to 23, however it was closer than I would have thought bearing in mind the hostility of the media to anything European.
It's quite sad that this will be the last hustings of this campaign as I have thoroughly enjoyed answering in a public forum questions put by constituents. It has also been quite good fun seeing some of my opponents squirm under interrogation from residents about some of their policies.
Sadiq
Voter tells it how it is
It is always enjoyable receiving letters from constituents. Sometimes residents have questions about policy, other times there is a request for help, many times over the last few weeks there have been letters of support and yesterday I received a letter which made all of us in the campaign team laugh. I can't paraphrase the letter and do it justice so I have set out below in verbatim the letter:
"James Bethell, in a recent Tory leaflet, says "I don't understand why the disabled can't reach the platforms at Earlsfield Station." Not very bright - anyone with arthritic knees could point to six good reasons why not - three flights of stairs in each of the two staircases. What I suppose he means is that there should be lifts or escalators - why doesn't he just say that?"
Tom Cox, along with local pensioners, has been working on Earlsfield getting a lift for some time now and I too have been campaigning on this over the last few months. I am proud that this Labour government introduced a Disability Rights Commission to protect and promote the needs of the disabled and from next year age discrimination will be outlawed. This will mean that stations like Earlsfield that fail to provide a lift or escalator could be falling foul of the law.
Sadiq
"James Bethell, in a recent Tory leaflet, says "I don't understand why the disabled can't reach the platforms at Earlsfield Station." Not very bright - anyone with arthritic knees could point to six good reasons why not - three flights of stairs in each of the two staircases. What I suppose he means is that there should be lifts or escalators - why doesn't he just say that?"
Tom Cox, along with local pensioners, has been working on Earlsfield getting a lift for some time now and I too have been campaigning on this over the last few months. I am proud that this Labour government introduced a Disability Rights Commission to protect and promote the needs of the disabled and from next year age discrimination will be outlawed. This will mean that stations like Earlsfield that fail to provide a lift or escalator could be falling foul of the law.
Sadiq
Monday, April 25, 2005
Tories making misleading promises
Friendly constituents often tell me some of the fantastic promises being made to them on their doorstep or via literature by other candidates. Often these are clearly opportunist and not believed by residents. Sometimes, on the face of it, they look reasonable but aren't worth the paper they are written on.
One such example is the one found in a leaflet produced by the Tory from Bayswater standing in Tooting. In "Priorities for Tooting" (March 2005) he says: "More trains and better stations? James thinks commuters using the Northern Line and local mainline stations are not getting a fair deal. He will make it a priority to get more of the taxes we have all paid invested in the transport system we all have to use."
However, poor James has had his fox shot by his own Party Chairman, Dr Liam Fox, who said on Channel 4 News that spending pledges which aren't in the Conservative manifesto won't be implemented.
It's quite clear to me that James Bethell's spending pledges are simply hot air. Liam Fox has made it clear that if spending pledges aren't in the Tory manifesto, they won't happen. This pledge isn't in their manifesto and therefore hasn't been costed for within the Tory spending plans, so James Bethell has no hope of delivering it.
The Tories are again trying to mislead people with money they don't have and with commitments that they cannot afford.
Sadiq
One such example is the one found in a leaflet produced by the Tory from Bayswater standing in Tooting. In "Priorities for Tooting" (March 2005) he says: "More trains and better stations? James thinks commuters using the Northern Line and local mainline stations are not getting a fair deal. He will make it a priority to get more of the taxes we have all paid invested in the transport system we all have to use."
However, poor James has had his fox shot by his own Party Chairman, Dr Liam Fox, who said on Channel 4 News that spending pledges which aren't in the Conservative manifesto won't be implemented.
It's quite clear to me that James Bethell's spending pledges are simply hot air. Liam Fox has made it clear that if spending pledges aren't in the Tory manifesto, they won't happen. This pledge isn't in their manifesto and therefore hasn't been costed for within the Tory spending plans, so James Bethell has no hope of delivering it.
The Tories are again trying to mislead people with money they don't have and with commitments that they cannot afford.
Sadiq
Wandsworth Council letting down the elderly
One of the issues that regularly crops up when canvassing pensioners is the way this Tory Council has over the years closed down pensioner day centres, residential homes and other facilities for the elderly.
The Tories only provide what they are required to by law. I am grateful to my colleague Councillor Pam Tatlow for bringing to my attention her concerns that the council is not investigating alternative providers of services for the Fairlight Day Centre in Tooting, once the contract with the current providers, the Shaftesbury Society, ends.
It appears that no instructions have been given to officers at any level in Social Services to make approaches or to investigate alternative providers to ensure the provision at the Fairlight Day Centre in Tooting and Robert Joy Day Centre in Putney is continued.
Cllr Tatlow has written to the Tory councillor responsible for Social Services asking for her urgent assurance that alternative providers will be explored to ensure that these day centres continue. It was never the intention of the Social Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee that alternative provision was to mean simply re-directing current users to other services that already exist. It is self-evident that if Shaftesbury is not prepared to continue (and they are not) and no alternative providers are explored by the council then inevitably the Fairlight and Robrt Joy Day Centres will be closed and the social provision that they currently provide will be lost in July.
This would be disastrous, not just for the elderly who currently use the day centres, but for future generations of users.
Sadiq
The Tories only provide what they are required to by law. I am grateful to my colleague Councillor Pam Tatlow for bringing to my attention her concerns that the council is not investigating alternative providers of services for the Fairlight Day Centre in Tooting, once the contract with the current providers, the Shaftesbury Society, ends.
It appears that no instructions have been given to officers at any level in Social Services to make approaches or to investigate alternative providers to ensure the provision at the Fairlight Day Centre in Tooting and Robert Joy Day Centre in Putney is continued.
Cllr Tatlow has written to the Tory councillor responsible for Social Services asking for her urgent assurance that alternative providers will be explored to ensure that these day centres continue. It was never the intention of the Social Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee that alternative provision was to mean simply re-directing current users to other services that already exist. It is self-evident that if Shaftesbury is not prepared to continue (and they are not) and no alternative providers are explored by the council then inevitably the Fairlight and Robrt Joy Day Centres will be closed and the social provision that they currently provide will be lost in July.
This would be disastrous, not just for the elderly who currently use the day centres, but for future generations of users.
Sadiq
Thursday, April 21, 2005
The campaign continues...
It’s been a hectic few days. One of the highlights for me has been visiting Nightingale House elderly persons home with Cherie Blair. This is a high quality home looking after the elderly. We were treated to a tour of the home, which included state of the art pottery and art facilities, well maintained and kept gardens, and physiotherapy facilities. We joined residents and their families for light refreshments. The residents really enjoyed meeting and asking questions of Cherie. The warmth and hospitality shown was extremely touching. This is now my third visit to Nightingale House and I have promised them even more visits should I be elected MP and will continue the close relationship that Tom Cox established over many years.
I was governor of South Thames College for a number of years and one of my proudest achievements is ensuring that South Thames College stayed in Tooting town centre at a time when there was serious concerns about funding for FE colleges. I can remember attending numerous meetings to try and get both a leading supermarket in Tooting town centre as opposed to a hypermarket outside the town centre, which would have seriously damaged our local shops. The South Thames College site in Tooting which is on top of a Sainsbury’s store is testament to hard work and partnership paying off. The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone was keen to see for himself such an innovation and so I was pleased that we were able to spend a morning at South Thames College. In addition to a tour of the building we attended a number of classes and answered various questions from students ranging from transport to immigration, pensions to adult education. The students and staff were extremely excited to meet the Mayor and found his honesty and transparency refreshing.
Campaigns also inevitably involve hustings meetings where members of the public can ask all candidates questions. The two hustings organised by St Alban’s Church in Furzedown and the Wandsworth Society have been both fun and challenging with a wide range of issues being raised by local residents.
I’ve also met 6th formers at Emanuel School. After giving a short talk on local and national politics (and a bit of party political stuff!) the 6th formers were given a chance to fire questions at me. I was pleased that nearly all of them who are eligible to confirmed that they will vote, and also by the obvious thought and consideration gone into the various questions and comments made.
The best bit of being a candidate is meeting local residents face to face when out canvassing. I am still overwhelmed at the pride and warmth local residents are showing towards me being the Labour candidate for Tooting. Some of the major points raised on the doorstep are on the improvements taking place at St George’s and how nice it is to see police officers walking down side roads once again. It is quite clear that Tooting residents are appalled by the negativity in the national Tory campaign and the billboards put up around Tooting.
Sadiq
I was governor of South Thames College for a number of years and one of my proudest achievements is ensuring that South Thames College stayed in Tooting town centre at a time when there was serious concerns about funding for FE colleges. I can remember attending numerous meetings to try and get both a leading supermarket in Tooting town centre as opposed to a hypermarket outside the town centre, which would have seriously damaged our local shops. The South Thames College site in Tooting which is on top of a Sainsbury’s store is testament to hard work and partnership paying off. The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone was keen to see for himself such an innovation and so I was pleased that we were able to spend a morning at South Thames College. In addition to a tour of the building we attended a number of classes and answered various questions from students ranging from transport to immigration, pensions to adult education. The students and staff were extremely excited to meet the Mayor and found his honesty and transparency refreshing.
Campaigns also inevitably involve hustings meetings where members of the public can ask all candidates questions. The two hustings organised by St Alban’s Church in Furzedown and the Wandsworth Society have been both fun and challenging with a wide range of issues being raised by local residents.
I’ve also met 6th formers at Emanuel School. After giving a short talk on local and national politics (and a bit of party political stuff!) the 6th formers were given a chance to fire questions at me. I was pleased that nearly all of them who are eligible to confirmed that they will vote, and also by the obvious thought and consideration gone into the various questions and comments made.
The best bit of being a candidate is meeting local residents face to face when out canvassing. I am still overwhelmed at the pride and warmth local residents are showing towards me being the Labour candidate for Tooting. Some of the major points raised on the doorstep are on the improvements taking place at St George’s and how nice it is to see police officers walking down side roads once again. It is quite clear that Tooting residents are appalled by the negativity in the national Tory campaign and the billboards put up around Tooting.
Sadiq
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Celebrations
This weekend, in addition to doing the usual hectic schedule of campaigning I was also able to celebrate two separate festivals with the local Tamil and Sikh communities.
On Saturday I attended the Tamil New Year celebrations with the South London Tamil Welfare Group. The evening consisted of brilliant classical dancing and recitals, the launch of an excellent CD called “Fusion” as well as an explanation of the significance of the Tamil New Year. I learnt that this is a good time to start a new initiative or plan as this leads to good luck and prosperity. I was both relieved and pleased that the launch of the Labour Party manifesto coincided with the Tamil New Year. I hope this is a good omen!
On Sunday I visited my local Sikh Khalsa Centre to celebrate Vaisakhi, as I had done last year. Vaisakhi is one of the most auspicious days in the Sikh calendar. On this day in 1699 Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last guru of the Sikhs, founded the Order of the Khalsa. I was able to take part in the ceremonial flag changing which took place along with fellow councillors Del Hosain and the Mayor of Wandsworth. As is practice at the Khalsa Centre I was presented with a beautiful ornament, which takes pride of place on the mantelpiece.
Sadiq
On Saturday I attended the Tamil New Year celebrations with the South London Tamil Welfare Group. The evening consisted of brilliant classical dancing and recitals, the launch of an excellent CD called “Fusion” as well as an explanation of the significance of the Tamil New Year. I learnt that this is a good time to start a new initiative or plan as this leads to good luck and prosperity. I was both relieved and pleased that the launch of the Labour Party manifesto coincided with the Tamil New Year. I hope this is a good omen!
On Sunday I visited my local Sikh Khalsa Centre to celebrate Vaisakhi, as I had done last year. Vaisakhi is one of the most auspicious days in the Sikh calendar. On this day in 1699 Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last guru of the Sikhs, founded the Order of the Khalsa. I was able to take part in the ceremonial flag changing which took place along with fellow councillors Del Hosain and the Mayor of Wandsworth. As is practice at the Khalsa Centre I was presented with a beautiful ornament, which takes pride of place on the mantelpiece.
Sadiq
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Bogus canvasser warning
I was saddened to receive an email from the Community Safety Division of Wandsworth Council with the following warning:
Just a little reminder that you might like to pass on to your neighbours.
We have already had reports of people purporting to be canvassing for the election and asking to come in. A genuine canvasser will NOT want to come in; all he or she wants to do is know whether or not you will be voting for their candidate, and then get on to the next voter.
I would like to emphasis the point - no Labour Party canvasser will EVER ask to come into your house. Of course, you should never feel obliged to let anyone into your home if you do not want them there, and genuine political canvassers will have no reason to want to come in at all.
Sadiq
Just a little reminder that you might like to pass on to your neighbours.
We have already had reports of people purporting to be canvassing for the election and asking to come in. A genuine canvasser will NOT want to come in; all he or she wants to do is know whether or not you will be voting for their candidate, and then get on to the next voter.
I would like to emphasis the point - no Labour Party canvasser will EVER ask to come into your house. Of course, you should never feel obliged to let anyone into your home if you do not want them there, and genuine political canvassers will have no reason to want to come in at all.
Sadiq
Friday, April 15, 2005
Only 20 days to go.....
Well, I was told it would be tiring but I didn’t quite expect this! Take today for example. After dropping in to the campaign office to deal with my correspondence I then hot-footed it up to Millbank for an interview with Sky News, and spent a pleasant quarter of an hour discussing the merits of the Labour Party campaign with opposition candidates from other
And by 6.30pm more colleagues have arrived and it’s off out to do this evening’s canvassing – I hear on the radio about the electorate’s cynicism but in reality there’s a lot of people who do appreciate that we turn up on their doorsteps to hear their concerns directly from them.
Sadiq
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Labour councillor to be Deputy Mayor
It's such a good feeling when you see someone get something that they really deserve. I'm so pleased that my good friend and colleague Councillor Del Hosain is going to be the next Deputy Mayor of Wandsworth.
Tooting councillor Del Hosain has represented Graveney Ward for the Labour Party since 1990 with a break between 1994 and 1998. A former teacher, he currently sits on the regeneration and transport overview and scrutiny committee and is a member of the Tooting and Balham Town Centre Partnership Boards.
Cllr Hosain has been a trustee for both Age Concern Wandsworth and Wandsworth Community Transport and is involved with a number of other charities dedicated to children and the disabled in the capital.
Del will be taking up his duties following the Mayor Making Ceremony at the Town Hall on May 19th. I'm sure he will then have a fascinating year, and will perform his duties with his usual charm and friendliness. If you don't already know Del I hope this coming year will give you an opportunity to meet him.
Sadiq
Tooting councillor Del Hosain has represented Graveney Ward for the Labour Party since 1990 with a break between 1994 and 1998. A former teacher, he currently sits on the regeneration and transport overview and scrutiny committee and is a member of the Tooting and Balham Town Centre Partnership Boards.
Cllr Hosain has been a trustee for both Age Concern Wandsworth and Wandsworth Community Transport and is involved with a number of other charities dedicated to children and the disabled in the capital.
Del will be taking up his duties following the Mayor Making Ceremony at the Town Hall on May 19th. I'm sure he will then have a fascinating year, and will perform his duties with his usual charm and friendliness. If you don't already know Del I hope this coming year will give you an opportunity to meet him.
Sadiq
Do you need a postal vote?
If you wish to vote by post or by proxy in the general election you really need to act now, if you haven't already.
The last date for amendments to any existing postal or proxy votes is 5pm on Tuesday, April 19. and the deadline for receiving new applications is 5pm on Tuesday, April 26.
Everyone who is entitled to vote in the general election has an automatic right to a postal vote and can request a proxy vote - allowing someone else to vote on their behalf - if they have a valid reason.
For more information and to obtain a registration form and/or an application form for postal and proxy votes, telephone (020) 8871 6023 or 020 8871 6024 (text phone only). Alternatively email electoral@wandsworth.gov.uk
Application forms can also be downloaded from www.wandsworth.gov.uk/vote
Every British, Commonwealth and Republic of Ireland citizen living in Great Britain can vote in all local, regional, national and European elections in the UK. All other European Union citizens living in this country can vote in European Parliamentary and local elections.
Sadiq
The last date for amendments to any existing postal or proxy votes is 5pm on Tuesday, April 19. and the deadline for receiving new applications is 5pm on Tuesday, April 26.
Everyone who is entitled to vote in the general election has an automatic right to a postal vote and can request a proxy vote - allowing someone else to vote on their behalf - if they have a valid reason.
For more information and to obtain a registration form and/or an application form for postal and proxy votes, telephone (020) 8871 6023 or 020 8871 6024 (text phone only). Alternatively email electoral@wandsworth.gov.uk
Application forms can also be downloaded from www.wandsworth.gov.uk/vote
Every British, Commonwealth and Republic of Ireland citizen living in Great Britain can vote in all local, regional, national and European elections in the UK. All other European Union citizens living in this country can vote in European Parliamentary and local elections.
Sadiq
Police 'Safer Neighbourhood Teams'
Wandsworth police have announced the details of their Safer Neighbourhood teams - an initiative funded by the Mayof of London, Ken Livingstone.
The teams are based on a ward basis, and the contact details for the teams in Tooting wards are as follows:
Bedford - PC Neil Davenport, tel: 020 8247 8363
Earlsfield - PC John Fogg, tel: 020 8247 8759
Furzedown - PC Kiely Webb, tel: 020 8247 8363
Graveney - PS Lee Gadd, tel: 020 8247 8383
Nightingale - PC David Wilson, tel: 020 8247 8383
Tooting - PS Paul Smyth, tel: 020 8247 8006
Wandsworth Common - PC Robert Nailard, tel: 020 8247 8006
The postal address for all officers is Battersea Police Station, Battersea Bridge Road, London, SW11 3AF.
Sadiq
The Safer Neighbourhoods scheme was launched in April 2004 as a way of tackling grassroots problems that affect Londoners’ lives. It is designed to cut crime and make communities feel more secure, by giving particular neighbourhoods a dedicated team of six officers. Policing priorities for each team are identified through consultation with local residents, community groups and other organisations.
By August 2004 a hundred teams had been established across London, with three or more in each borough. And crime statistics show that they are making a difference: burglary down nine per cent, compared to six per cent elsewhere, robbery down ten per cent, compared to three per cent elsewhere and criminal damage down eight per cent, twice that in the rest of London.The teams are based on a ward basis, and the contact details for the teams in Tooting wards are as follows:
Bedford - PC Neil Davenport, tel: 020 8247 8363
Earlsfield - PC John Fogg, tel: 020 8247 8759
Furzedown - PC Kiely Webb, tel: 020 8247 8363
Graveney - PS Lee Gadd, tel: 020 8247 8383
Nightingale - PC David Wilson, tel: 020 8247 8383
Tooting - PS Paul Smyth, tel: 020 8247 8006
Wandsworth Common - PC Robert Nailard, tel: 020 8247 8006
The postal address for all officers is Battersea Police Station, Battersea Bridge Road, London, SW11 3AF.
Sadiq
Monday, April 11, 2005
April newsletter
My latest newsletter will be arriving through your door very shortly. This month it focuses on the forthcoming election with articles on support for young families, dignity in old age, how low mortgage rates have been in the last 8 years, and includes a "Meet Sadiq" interview with myself.
If you just can't wait for its arrival, you can read it in PDF format here (it's a large - nearly 1MB - file):
April Labour Newsletter
Sadiq
If you just can't wait for its arrival, you can read it in PDF format here (it's a large - nearly 1MB - file):
April Labour Newsletter
Sadiq
Howard's slap in the face to the NHS
Michael Howard's discourtesy is shocking. His visit to St George's Hospital last week was nothing more than a publicity stunt. He failed to speak of the hospital's tremendous success over the past few years, then went straight to a press conference to talk about failures in the NHS.
Mr Howard clearly was not really interested in talking about any of the improvements taking place at St George's at his party's press conference.
From the fact that our hospital is the first hospital in the country to meet the 3 month maximum wait for heart treatment to the fact that the hard work of all staff means that 98% of patients are seen within 4 hours in the A and E dept. As for MRSA, the entire team has worked very hard to reduce this by 50% over the last 3 years.
His strategy has been laid bare. Talk down the NHS - in spite of all the progress that has been made - sow seeds of disenchantment, then introduce cuts and charges.
In Tooting we are very proud of our local hospital and the hard working staff who do a sterling job.
Sadiq
Mr Howard clearly was not really interested in talking about any of the improvements taking place at St George's at his party's press conference.
From the fact that our hospital is the first hospital in the country to meet the 3 month maximum wait for heart treatment to the fact that the hard work of all staff means that 98% of patients are seen within 4 hours in the A and E dept. As for MRSA, the entire team has worked very hard to reduce this by 50% over the last 3 years.
His strategy has been laid bare. Talk down the NHS - in spite of all the progress that has been made - sow seeds of disenchantment, then introduce cuts and charges.
In Tooting we are very proud of our local hospital and the hard working staff who do a sterling job.
Sadiq
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
Friday, April 08, 2005
Chancellor goes back to school
Gordon Brown visited Gatton Primary (VA) School in Gatton Road in the heart of Tooting. For a picture, see my Photo Album. Gatton Primary School is the first purpose built Islamic ethos primary school in the UK. It is due to open the new building in September. Currently the pupils are using the Tooting Islamic Centre site.
This is the 5th Muslim school given mainstream status with 8 more in the pipeline
(Prior to 1997 no Muslim schools had mainstream status although more than 8500 Church of England, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Methodist schools had mainstream status).
The government is spending record sums improving our schools and building new schools. The Gatton Primary School is a great example of this Government's investment in our children and to make our society more fair.
As the Chair of Governors of Gatton , a Governor of Fircroft Primary school and a parent I am grateful for all the help that the Chancellor announced in his budget recently. This is what our country needs to compete against the emerging super trading states like China and India - well educated and balanced children turning into well trained and motivated adults.
It is worth pointing out that the Tories did nothing for Muslim schools in 18 years of government and the Lib Dems have always opposed giving Muslim schools the same rights as other faith schools.
Despite his busy schedule Gordon spent more than an hour with parents, teachers, governors and children during his visit. He also spoke to local community leaders.
The local Guardian and Wandsworth Borough News were particularly grateful to the Chancellor who endorsed the fantastic campaign they are running for Trinity Hospice. See here for their story: http://www.wb-news.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.585958.0.brown_backs_our_big_50_campaign.php
Sadiq
This is the 5th Muslim school given mainstream status with 8 more in the pipeline
(Prior to 1997 no Muslim schools had mainstream status although more than 8500 Church of England, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Methodist schools had mainstream status).
The government is spending record sums improving our schools and building new schools. The Gatton Primary School is a great example of this Government's investment in our children and to make our society more fair.
As the Chair of Governors of Gatton , a Governor of Fircroft Primary school and a parent I am grateful for all the help that the Chancellor announced in his budget recently. This is what our country needs to compete against the emerging super trading states like China and India - well educated and balanced children turning into well trained and motivated adults.
It is worth pointing out that the Tories did nothing for Muslim schools in 18 years of government and the Lib Dems have always opposed giving Muslim schools the same rights as other faith schools.
Despite his busy schedule Gordon spent more than an hour with parents, teachers, governors and children during his visit. He also spoke to local community leaders.
The local Guardian and Wandsworth Borough News were particularly grateful to the Chancellor who endorsed the fantastic campaign they are running for Trinity Hospice. See here for their story: http://www.wb-news.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.585958.0.brown_backs_our_big_50_campaign.php
Sadiq
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
And so it begins
So now we know the date of the general election! And what an amazing four and a half weeks are in store for me now. I shall be speaking at hustings meetings across the constituency and out meeting local people every day of the week from now until polling day on Thursday 5th May.
This is a vital election. Thanks to the Labour government we have seen some remarkable achievements in the last 8 years, but in order to continue investing in public services, addressing the issues of child poverty and global aid then we need to make sure we get a third term in office.
Most particularly I want to see:
Sadiq
This is a vital election. Thanks to the Labour government we have seen some remarkable achievements in the last 8 years, but in order to continue investing in public services, addressing the issues of child poverty and global aid then we need to make sure we get a third term in office.
Most particularly I want to see:
- Further increases in the minimum wage and more support for families trying to juggle work and bringing up kids
- Continued investment into local schools and healthcare, and improved standards
- More police and patrols across Tooting - where it's been tested, this government-funded initiative has slashed crime rates
- Low inflation and interest rates to keep the economy stable and strong (did you know that unemployment in Tooting has fallen by 55% since 1997?)
- Extra money going to pensioners, especially those on the lowest incomes
Sadiq
Friday, April 01, 2005
Magazine interviews are part of the job too.....
One of the interesting things about being a parliamentary candidate is how many new areas of political life you are made aware of. Last month I was interviewed by a magazine called Public Affairs News - a trade magazine for the lobbying industry.
Here is an excerpt from the final article:
1. Can you begin by telling us what motivated you to stand for Parliament?
Sadiq Khan (Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Tooting): I have never wanted to be an MP for the sake of having that title; first and foremost, I am a local man who wants to represent my constituency.
2. What are likely to be the key issues in the next Parliament?
Khan: The key themes of the G8 and EU Presidencies this year, climate change and Africa, will continue to be important beyond 2005. The referendum on the EU Constitution, expected next spring, will also dominate politics once the general election is over. Aside from that, I would agree that the way money in the public services is spent is also vital.
3. So why do so few people choose to vote? How can politicians remedy this situation?
Khan: Politicians must become more directly attached and accountable to their own electorate, for example, by holding public meetings. The public is fed up with the ‘yah-boo’ nature of adversarial politics.
4. Looking at the Public Affairs industry, what type of approaches do you expect from the lobbyists? What would be the worst way to approach you?
Khan: My best advice to lobbyists is to cut to the chase! Time is an issue for all MPs and candidates, so there is nothing wrong with approaching them, as long as your message is succinct.
5. But business interests are not always in the public interest?
Khan: The PA industry is also able to help to solve genuine social problems; during the past 10 years the number of big multinationals doing good community work has increased dramatically. That has a lot to do with the advice given by the PA industry to its clients.
6. What are your thoughts on the media – how do you intend to use it as an MP?
Khan: Most MPs have around 70,000 constituents within areas which have prisons, hospitals, police stations and diverse communities. The media is necessary to communicate messages to your local residents, as you cannot personally speak to every member of the electorate.
7. There has been an increasing move to push issues through the media rather than Parliament – is this a good development?
Khan: Exploiting real life cases in this negative way only helps to damage public perception of politicians – it leads to the public view that ‘you are all the same’.
8. So how will Parliament change in light of the huge technological changes soon to take place?
Khan: It may assist in more openness around Parliament. Politicians are already closely scrutinised – I recently spoke at a public meeting with around 400 people, and a recording of my speech appeared on the internet just days later.
9. Do you have any apprehensions about becoming an MP?
Khan: This is an exciting opportunity to change people’s lives directly and I cannot wait to get going.
10. Finally, if you had to offer a sound bite of advice to the PA industry for the coming years?
Khan: Aim for a responsible, mature approach.
What do you think about the world of lobbying and public affairs? I'd be interested to hear your views.
Here is an excerpt from the final article:
1. Can you begin by telling us what motivated you to stand for Parliament?
Sadiq Khan (Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Tooting): I have never wanted to be an MP for the sake of having that title; first and foremost, I am a local man who wants to represent my constituency.
2. What are likely to be the key issues in the next Parliament?
Khan: The key themes of the G8 and EU Presidencies this year, climate change and Africa, will continue to be important beyond 2005. The referendum on the EU Constitution, expected next spring, will also dominate politics once the general election is over. Aside from that, I would agree that the way money in the public services is spent is also vital.
3. So why do so few people choose to vote? How can politicians remedy this situation?
Khan: Politicians must become more directly attached and accountable to their own electorate, for example, by holding public meetings. The public is fed up with the ‘yah-boo’ nature of adversarial politics.
4. Looking at the Public Affairs industry, what type of approaches do you expect from the lobbyists? What would be the worst way to approach you?
Khan: My best advice to lobbyists is to cut to the chase! Time is an issue for all MPs and candidates, so there is nothing wrong with approaching them, as long as your message is succinct.
5. But business interests are not always in the public interest?
Khan: The PA industry is also able to help to solve genuine social problems; during the past 10 years the number of big multinationals doing good community work has increased dramatically. That has a lot to do with the advice given by the PA industry to its clients.
6. What are your thoughts on the media – how do you intend to use it as an MP?
Khan: Most MPs have around 70,000 constituents within areas which have prisons, hospitals, police stations and diverse communities. The media is necessary to communicate messages to your local residents, as you cannot personally speak to every member of the electorate.
7. There has been an increasing move to push issues through the media rather than Parliament – is this a good development?
Khan: Exploiting real life cases in this negative way only helps to damage public perception of politicians – it leads to the public view that ‘you are all the same’.
8. So how will Parliament change in light of the huge technological changes soon to take place?
Khan: It may assist in more openness around Parliament. Politicians are already closely scrutinised – I recently spoke at a public meeting with around 400 people, and a recording of my speech appeared on the internet just days later.
9. Do you have any apprehensions about becoming an MP?
Khan: This is an exciting opportunity to change people’s lives directly and I cannot wait to get going.
10. Finally, if you had to offer a sound bite of advice to the PA industry for the coming years?
Khan: Aim for a responsible, mature approach.
What do you think about the world of lobbying and public affairs? I'd be interested to hear your views.
Sadiq
