News
A fresh start on an historic day - 78 days ago
In Kingston and Surbiton on Thursday night, despite achieving a combined 25% of the vote in Norbiton ward, Labour lost representation on the Council and failed to win the Parliamentary seat (achieving a 9% vote).
However, I write an hour since Gordon Brown addressed the Labour Party at our headquarters in Victoria Street, reminding us that "despite all odds [...] on Thursday night, by the strength of our common endeavour we achieved more together than we could on our own." Or as Lord Mandleson put it this evening, we gave the Conservatives a run for their money - and they had a lot of it!
I hope that this reminder carries us through our time performing the important duty of Her Majesty's Opposition, and in preparing us to fight the next Local and General elections - potentially under a reformed voting system. I hope that we are able to maximise upon the flexibility and opportunity of a fresh start in bypassing a coalition government at national level and by having no incumbent representation at local level.
Stay posted for details on how you can get involved in this fresh start.
For full details of the 2010 Election results, visit the Kingston Council website.
Ricky Thakrar
Website officer
Kingston Borough Manifesto 2010-2014 now Online! - 106 days ago
You can download the manifesto for the May 6 election at: http://kingstonlabour.com/files/docs/Manifesto_2010_%20V1.0e.pdf
Norbiton Campaign Launch 2010 - 128 days ago
Local residents and CLP members were treated to 'drinks and nibbles' as the Labour local election campaign formally kicked off in Kingston & Surbiton this month. Although the General Election hasn't yet been declared, the well-attended meeting got under way at 7pm on Thursday the 11th at the CLP offices in London Road, Kingston.
The meeting was held to officially introduce our three candidates for Norbiton Ward, where we will be campaigning in earnest over the next couple of months. It was chaired by candidate Stella Simpson, a Richmond Park resident who knows Kingston well, having previously worked for Kingston Council for a number of years. The team - Stella; Susanna Bellino, now a parliamentary aide who was raised and educated in the Borough, and veteran councillor Steve Mama - introduced themselves. Steve then led a debate, asking potential sympathisers what they'd like to see in our manifesto.
Of particular concern to residents was the issue of recycling, many seemed to think that the present system introduced by the Council over the last couple of years was chaotic, with many households not yet included and the Council having apparently lost control to the company running collections, so that it was run for the company's convenience rather than that of residents.
It was encouraging to meet several young people from local colleges who'd come along to take part. Naturally, they were particularly keen to hear candidates' views on the local education crisis and the dilemma over school places.
The meeting was organised to coincide with the regular CLP meeting. Unfortunately, guest speaker, London MEP Claude Moraes, rang from Strasbourg where he was attending the European Parliament to say that the airport was snow-bound and he was unable to get a plane back to be with us. So, as 8 o'clock approached and the debate was still going well, it seemed sensible to abandon the CLP meeting and continue discussing the manifesto and the forthcoming election.
The event concluded around 9 o'clock with an opportunity to chat less formally with the candidates as they mingled with the audience.
Canvassing teams are going out on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. If you'd like to help, please contact Susanna Bellino, CLP campaigns organiser, on 07739 347012 or Stella Simpson, who's kindly agreed to act as agent, on 07980 694274 for details.
Johnnie Byrne
Secretary
Using our community links - 174 days ago
Well, the new year has come and gone and we're back in full swing in the run up to the election - with possibly only 90 days to go!
In a quick round up of our recent events:
Finally, it goes without saying that we need a final push in the next 90 or so days to bring out from their homes to the polling station all of the labour support that is dormant in Kingston and Surbiton constituency. Spread the word at home, at work, at your clubs and social events - we must use the strength of our community links.
Ricky Thakrar
Website officer
Reaching out in Kingston and Surbiton - 260 days ago
It's been an eventful few weeks for the Labour Party in Kingston and Surbiton.
It all kicked off with a street stall held in Kingston Town Centre on Sunday 25 October where we talked to people about a range of issues (including the hot topics of immigration and MPs' expenses), handed out hundreds of leaflets about plans to outsource local NHS services, and collected signatures for the related petition.
Next was our successful quiz night on Saturday 7 November, where five teams (of members and non-members) battled it out for the prized Bob Farrar trophy, named after a past local Labour supporter. The amusingly named ZZ Bottom (previously known as the Norbiton Know-Alls) swept away the competition once again, and we hope they'll be challenged at the next quiz in the new year!
And today we held a stall at Kingston College, talking to local students about the issues that matter to them and raising awareness of Labour's values and principles both nationally and locally.
The next few weeks will be just as busy (contact us for details of the fundraisers on Thursday 12 November and Wednesday 2 December) and we'd love to hear suggestions on where you'd like to see our presence - and, of course, offers of help - so do get in touch using the form on our website.
Ricky Thakrar
Website officer
For older stories, visit our blog...
A fresh start on an historic day - 78 days ago
In Kingston and Surbiton on Thursday night, despite achieving a combined 25% of the vote in Norbiton ward, Labour lost representation on the Council and failed to win the Parliamentary seat (achieving a 9% vote).
However, I write an hour since Gordon Brown addressed the Labour Party at our headquarters in Victoria Street, reminding us that "despite all odds [...] on Thursday night, by the strength of our common endeavour we achieved more together than we could on our own." Or as Lord Mandleson put it this evening, we gave the Conservatives a run for their money - and they had a lot of it!
I hope that this reminder carries us through our time performing the important duty of Her Majesty's Opposition, and in preparing us to fight the next Local and General elections - potentially under a reformed voting system. I hope that we are able to maximise upon the flexibility and opportunity of a fresh start in bypassing a coalition government at national level and by having no incumbent representation at local level.
Stay posted for details on how you can get involved in this fresh start.
For full details of the 2010 Election results, visit the Kingston Council website.
Ricky Thakrar
Website officer
Kingston Borough Manifesto 2010-2014 now Online! - 106 days ago
You can download the manifesto for the May 6 election at: http://kingstonlabour.com/files/docs/Manifesto_2010_%20V1.0e.pdf
Norbiton Campaign Launch 2010 - 128 days ago
Local residents and CLP members were treated to 'drinks and nibbles' as the Labour local election campaign formally kicked off in Kingston & Surbiton this month. Although the General Election hasn't yet been declared, the well-attended meeting got under way at 7pm on Thursday the 11th at the CLP offices in London Road, Kingston.
The meeting was held to officially introduce our three candidates for Norbiton Ward, where we will be campaigning in earnest over the next couple of months. It was chaired by candidate Stella Simpson, a Richmond Park resident who knows Kingston well, having previously worked for Kingston Council for a number of years. The team - Stella; Susanna Bellino, now a parliamentary aide who was raised and educated in the Borough, and veteran councillor Steve Mama - introduced themselves. Steve then led a debate, asking potential sympathisers what they'd like to see in our manifesto.
Of particular concern to residents was the issue of recycling, many seemed to think that the present system introduced by the Council over the last couple of years was chaotic, with many households not yet included and the Council having apparently lost control to the company running collections, so that it was run for the company's convenience rather than that of residents.
It was encouraging to meet several young people from local colleges who'd come along to take part. Naturally, they were particularly keen to hear candidates' views on the local education crisis and the dilemma over school places.
The meeting was organised to coincide with the regular CLP meeting. Unfortunately, guest speaker, London MEP Claude Moraes, rang from Strasbourg where he was attending the European Parliament to say that the airport was snow-bound and he was unable to get a plane back to be with us. So, as 8 o'clock approached and the debate was still going well, it seemed sensible to abandon the CLP meeting and continue discussing the manifesto and the forthcoming election.
The event concluded around 9 o'clock with an opportunity to chat less formally with the candidates as they mingled with the audience.
Canvassing teams are going out on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. If you'd like to help, please contact Susanna Bellino, CLP campaigns organiser, on 07739 347012 or Stella Simpson, who's kindly agreed to act as agent, on 07980 694274 for details.
Johnnie Byrne
Secretary
Using our community links - 174 days ago
Well, the new year has come and gone and we're back in full swing in the run up to the election - with possibly only 90 days to go!
In a quick round up of our recent events:
- We had an enlightening discussion on the current climate of misunderstanding and misuse of the Law (excessive and sometimes misguided legislation) the CLP meeting on 3 January.
- We held a successful dinner on the 2nd, organised by Susanna Bellino. Our guest, Siobhán McDonagh MP, presented John Lee with a pewter tankard and a House of Commons fountain pen in thanks for his long and loyal service to both Surbiton and Kingston CLPs.
- Following up from our attendance of the NHS Kingston meeting at the end of 2009, a group including members of the CLP, Kingston & District Trades Council and Unite the Union, headed by Peter Alexander (Chair of K&DTUC), presented our petition against outsourcing the Primary Care Trust to Kingston Council?s Health Overview Panel on the 10th.
- Whilst the Chilcott inquiry was investigating the war in Iraq, we had a debate on the war in Afghanistan joined by Kingston Peace Council at our CLP meeting on 14 January
Finally, it goes without saying that we need a final push in the next 90 or so days to bring out from their homes to the polling station all of the labour support that is dormant in Kingston and Surbiton constituency. Spread the word at home, at work, at your clubs and social events - we must use the strength of our community links.
Ricky Thakrar
Website officer
Reaching out in Kingston and Surbiton - 260 days ago
It's been an eventful few weeks for the Labour Party in Kingston and Surbiton.
It all kicked off with a street stall held in Kingston Town Centre on Sunday 25 October where we talked to people about a range of issues (including the hot topics of immigration and MPs' expenses), handed out hundreds of leaflets about plans to outsource local NHS services, and collected signatures for the related petition.
Next was our successful quiz night on Saturday 7 November, where five teams (of members and non-members) battled it out for the prized Bob Farrar trophy, named after a past local Labour supporter. The amusingly named ZZ Bottom (previously known as the Norbiton Know-Alls) swept away the competition once again, and we hope they'll be challenged at the next quiz in the new year!
And today we held a stall at Kingston College, talking to local students about the issues that matter to them and raising awareness of Labour's values and principles both nationally and locally.
The next few weeks will be just as busy (contact us for details of the fundraisers on Thursday 12 November and Wednesday 2 December) and we'd love to hear suggestions on where you'd like to see our presence - and, of course, offers of help - so do get in touch using the form on our website.
Ricky Thakrar
Website officer
For older stories, visit our blog...
