Hustings
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Saturday 22nd March 2014 – a gathering of 50 members voted for the new Maidenhead Constituency Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) and chose CHARLES SMITH as a clear winner. These were exciting hustings when difficult questions were thrown at the three brilliant candidates, all keen to give us their experience and expertise in helping us fight the Conservative complacency in our area and raise Labour’s profile in the region.
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NHS Day of Action 4th March 2017 |
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The NHS has done a lot for us, and we thought that it was time we gave something back, if only a few hours out of our day.
So we decided to go to London and march through the streets, in support of all the wonderful, caring, dedicated, and supportive people, who work for the NHS, and of course for the institution that is the NHS. Where would we be without it? After all, how many of us already on the breadline or living on a low wage can afford private health care?
After setting off from Maidenhead station at 11.17, we finally arrived at the meeting point in Tavistock Square at 12.50. The London underground was a nightmare with part closures on the main route from Paddington.
We set off on the march at 1.00pm and walked through London to Parliament Square, at the front leading the way were John Mcdonnell, Len McCluskey, and a few other well known party members. We were in the middle of the march, we met lots of other people with the same views as us, wanting to give up their time to support the NHS.
About 2 hours later, we finally arrived at Parliament Square, where we heard some fantastic speeches, from various people including Jeremy Corbyn, Len McClusky, John McDonnell, and members of the NHS.
It was a very peaceful March but very noisy with lots of chanting, drumming, and air-horns. But it was a fantastic atmosphere, and we are so glad that we made the effort to go, and will definitely be up for going to any more.
Ray Beale
So we decided to go to London and march through the streets, in support of all the wonderful, caring, dedicated, and supportive people, who work for the NHS, and of course for the institution that is the NHS. Where would we be without it? After all, how many of us already on the breadline or living on a low wage can afford private health care?
After setting off from Maidenhead station at 11.17, we finally arrived at the meeting point in Tavistock Square at 12.50. The London underground was a nightmare with part closures on the main route from Paddington.
We set off on the march at 1.00pm and walked through London to Parliament Square, at the front leading the way were John Mcdonnell, Len McCluskey, and a few other well known party members. We were in the middle of the march, we met lots of other people with the same views as us, wanting to give up their time to support the NHS.
About 2 hours later, we finally arrived at Parliament Square, where we heard some fantastic speeches, from various people including Jeremy Corbyn, Len McClusky, John McDonnell, and members of the NHS.
It was a very peaceful March but very noisy with lots of chanting, drumming, and air-horns. But it was a fantastic atmosphere, and we are so glad that we made the effort to go, and will definitely be up for going to any more.
Ray Beale
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Education not Segregation
Saturday 1st October Labour Party stalwarts looking happy despite the rain. Big thanks to Jo, Nigel for bringing the stall, Tom, Pat and Fiona for supplying umbrellas. With constant rain and few punters the team abandoned the show not long after 1100 so apologies if anyone arrived later. I only turned up to take the photo :-) But missed the coffee! PS please can we only have future events scheduled for dry, warm and sunny days! |
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2016 EU Referendum
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National result Leave 51.9% and Remain 48.1%
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Remain 53.9% Leave 46.1%
The excellent result for the Borough can be put down to local Remain campaign groups working together under the coordination of StrongerIn.
Labour joined the Greens, Conservatives and Libdems along with non party campaigners that formed StrongerIn to achieve this result.
Thanks to all those who contributed to the campaign.
Graham Lee
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Remain 53.9% Leave 46.1%
The excellent result for the Borough can be put down to local Remain campaign groups working together under the coordination of StrongerIn.
Labour joined the Greens, Conservatives and Libdems along with non party campaigners that formed StrongerIn to achieve this result.
Thanks to all those who contributed to the campaign.
Graham Lee
May General Meeting
The meeting welcomed guest speaker Nick Fahy, a Labour party member and he had worked at the European Commission on European Health Policy. Nick stressed that he was on a sabbatical at the moment and the views expressed were his own.
Nick said that the British case for being in the EU could be summarised into three main points:
1. Peace – the EU had helped bring and establish peace in Europe for nearly 70 years and you did not need to look too far beyond Europe to see threats to peace.
2. Power – the EU is a big market for world-wide trade
3. Prosperity – the claim by the Brexiters of £350 million per week was totally untrue and even so we are much better off in the EU.
He also set out the Labour case for being in the EU as bringing improvements such as Equal pay, anti-discrimination in the workplace legislation and TUPE protection. He also felt that Britain’s centre of gravity was to the right of the rest of Europe and the EU had been a protector of rights when the UK had a Government that wanted to get rid of them. In the forthcoming election he said that turnout was crucial and needed to be a fair reflection of the people of this country. This referendum was equally as important, if not more so, than the General Election
Nick then invited questions from the meeting and a question and answer session followed. Subjects discussed included:
Nationalisation of the railways; other EU countries ignoring EU laws; the perception that the EU was a club for big businesses and there is no democracy; the handling of the refugee problem; the rise of the far right in Europe – e.g. in Austria where a far right candidate was almost elected as President; TTIP; trade deals with China and India.
The meeting then thanked Nick for his interesting and stimulating session.
The meeting welcomed guest speaker Nick Fahy, a Labour party member and he had worked at the European Commission on European Health Policy. Nick stressed that he was on a sabbatical at the moment and the views expressed were his own.
Nick said that the British case for being in the EU could be summarised into three main points:
1. Peace – the EU had helped bring and establish peace in Europe for nearly 70 years and you did not need to look too far beyond Europe to see threats to peace.
2. Power – the EU is a big market for world-wide trade
3. Prosperity – the claim by the Brexiters of £350 million per week was totally untrue and even so we are much better off in the EU.
He also set out the Labour case for being in the EU as bringing improvements such as Equal pay, anti-discrimination in the workplace legislation and TUPE protection. He also felt that Britain’s centre of gravity was to the right of the rest of Europe and the EU had been a protector of rights when the UK had a Government that wanted to get rid of them. In the forthcoming election he said that turnout was crucial and needed to be a fair reflection of the people of this country. This referendum was equally as important, if not more so, than the General Election
Nick then invited questions from the meeting and a question and answer session followed. Subjects discussed included:
Nationalisation of the railways; other EU countries ignoring EU laws; the perception that the EU was a club for big businesses and there is no democracy; the handling of the refugee problem; the rise of the far right in Europe – e.g. in Austria where a far right candidate was almost elected as President; TTIP; trade deals with China and India.
The meeting then thanked Nick for his interesting and stimulating session.
Guest Speaker – Melissa Benn, Comprehensive Future - 17th March
A warm welcome was extended to Melissa Benn. She spoke about the debate about Grammar schools and the interest in what was happening in Windsor and Maidenhead.
Melissa made reference to the following key points:
Going back to post WW2 the 1944 Education Act there was discussion at the time for multilateral education but was decided in favour of grammar and secondary moderns. Fifteen counties in England now retained grammar schools. It was argued that grammar schools gave a chance to talented children from poor working class backgrounds, but all the evidence was that this was not true.
It had also been argued and publicised and publicised widely that comprehensive schools have failed, which again was not true. She said that Maidenhead was viewed as an affluent middle class area where the comprehensive schools are doing well. Melissa also talked about the situation with the grammar school in Kent and the challenges and events that had taken place. She also considered the situation in Buckinghamshire where grammar schools were retained and what the effects of this had been.
Melissa added that as the mother of two daughters she feels passionately that it is wrong to test children at age 10 or 11 and to tell the majority that they have failed.
A number of questions were then taken from the floor, covering a wide range of issues of concern and seeking help and advice.
After a lengthy session with much input and discussion from the members present Melissa was thanked for her attendance and appreciation showed in the normal way.
A warm welcome was extended to Melissa Benn. She spoke about the debate about Grammar schools and the interest in what was happening in Windsor and Maidenhead.
Melissa made reference to the following key points:
Going back to post WW2 the 1944 Education Act there was discussion at the time for multilateral education but was decided in favour of grammar and secondary moderns. Fifteen counties in England now retained grammar schools. It was argued that grammar schools gave a chance to talented children from poor working class backgrounds, but all the evidence was that this was not true.
It had also been argued and publicised and publicised widely that comprehensive schools have failed, which again was not true. She said that Maidenhead was viewed as an affluent middle class area where the comprehensive schools are doing well. Melissa also talked about the situation with the grammar school in Kent and the challenges and events that had taken place. She also considered the situation in Buckinghamshire where grammar schools were retained and what the effects of this had been.
Melissa added that as the mother of two daughters she feels passionately that it is wrong to test children at age 10 or 11 and to tell the majority that they have failed.
A number of questions were then taken from the floor, covering a wide range of issues of concern and seeking help and advice.
After a lengthy session with much input and discussion from the members present Melissa was thanked for her attendance and appreciation showed in the normal way.
November meeting report
Another excellent turnout for our November meeting, just managed to fit everyone in. If this level of attendance continues or increases we will move to the larger garden room.
The main agenda item was a presentation by Fiona Dent on the Human Rights Act and the Tory threat to replace it with a Bill of Rights. A discussion followed in with some good questions and ideas to take forward with the campaign.
A letter circulated to South East branches asking for party unity was discussed next.
Following the refreshment break a lively debate took place on the Government's proposal to extend bombing of Isil into Syria.
Thanks to everyone who came along.
Another excellent turnout for our November meeting, just managed to fit everyone in. If this level of attendance continues or increases we will move to the larger garden room.
The main agenda item was a presentation by Fiona Dent on the Human Rights Act and the Tory threat to replace it with a Bill of Rights. A discussion followed in with some good questions and ideas to take forward with the campaign.
A letter circulated to South East branches asking for party unity was discussed next.
Following the refreshment break a lively debate took place on the Government's proposal to extend bombing of Isil into Syria.
Thanks to everyone who came along.
Presentation on what Labour should do next
by Stuart Crainer from Thinkers 50
After Stuart introduced himself as a writer and long time Party member he talked about the six elements he believed were essential for an organisation to be successful. These being belief, leadership, organisation, cleverness, luck and change
In the case of the Labour Party these range from being clear about what we stand for to leaders encouraging our people to exceptional performance. To appeal more to voters could we organise differently or change the way we communicate? The importance of taking advantage of issues as they arise. How ready, willing and committed are we to embracing change?
Following questions from the floor the meeting thanked Stuart for his though provoking presentation.
by Stuart Crainer from Thinkers 50
After Stuart introduced himself as a writer and long time Party member he talked about the six elements he believed were essential for an organisation to be successful. These being belief, leadership, organisation, cleverness, luck and change
In the case of the Labour Party these range from being clear about what we stand for to leaders encouraging our people to exceptional performance. To appeal more to voters could we organise differently or change the way we communicate? The importance of taking advantage of issues as they arise. How ready, willing and committed are we to embracing change?
Following questions from the floor the meeting thanked Stuart for his though provoking presentation.
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Sue Brett from Foodshare talks about Homelessness in Maidenhead
Homelessness is a very worrying and brutal reality in Maidenhead, explains Sue Brett at our February meeting. Although the Council claims there are not any homeless people in the Borough reality is 30 homeless and 70 sofa surfers in Maidenhead alone. Shortage of Social Housing means single homeless are at the bottom of a very long list. Sue also talked about Foodshare, providing food parcels for families and hot meals for homeless and those who have simply run out of money and cannot afford to feed their families. There's so much more that needs to be done to assist those in need, and Sue is truly grateful for any help with that work, particularly in tackling homelessness, poverty, hunger and discrimination. see also |
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Excellent talk on
Mental Health from Wycombe MIND at Maidenhead Labour Party
We talked about early intervention, child and adolescent services, talking therapies, bringing together physical & mental health with social care to form a whole person care framework, and the importance of de- stigmatising mental illness, through to the role of mindfulness and meditation for healthier and more content lives. We have to reiterate the understanding of our mental health as akin to, and as important as, our physical health. All of this is essential to prioritising mental health - and improving the system to ensure we stop this vital area from being overlooked.
Charles Smith
We talked about early intervention, child and adolescent services, talking therapies, bringing together physical & mental health with social care to form a whole person care framework, and the importance of de- stigmatising mental illness, through to the role of mindfulness and meditation for healthier and more content lives. We have to reiterate the understanding of our mental health as akin to, and as important as, our physical health. All of this is essential to prioritising mental health - and improving the system to ensure we stop this vital area from being overlooked.
Charles Smith
A thank you from Fiona Dent for her election to the National Policy Forum
Dear South East Constituency Labour Parties and Members,
I am writing to say thank you to all the members who voted for me in the National Policy Forum elections: I am honoured, grateful and very excited to have been elected as your representative to the Forum. A big thank you too to the Constituency Labour Parties who
nominated me and got me over the first hurdle of getting my name on the ballot paper. I will do my very best to contribute fully to policy development, consult with and enable members to contribute and then to feedback information to you.
To start to set up good communications between us can I ask those of you who use Facebook to “like” my page (address below). If you use Twitter then also please follow me there. I use both of these social media to offer links to my blogs and give information on
campaigning and events. If you have a CLP Facebook and Twitter pages then let me know and I will follow you. My website (address below) contains most of my blogs and also acts as a longer term resource which I will build as I go along.
As we get into the work of the NPF I will circulate a newsletter and am hopeful that it will be a joint one from myself and your other 4 South East representatives. The 5 of us will be putting our heads together shortly to work out how we can best fulfill our roles across the
region.
Once again, thank you for the opportunity to contribute that you have given me, I will do my very best to rise to the challenge!
Fiona
Labour Party National Policy Forum Member & Women's Officer Maidenhead CLP
Mobile: 0782 495 3354
Website: www.fionadentlabour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FionaDentLabour
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FionaDentLabour
Email: fionadentlabour@btinternet.com
Crime and Policing
Seminar in Reading Saturday 10th January
Discussion group for Parliamentary Candidates
Peter Neyroud gave a presentation on the background to Labour's policy on Policing, pointing out the cuts still to come and what funding there was would be going to the NHS and Education. Savings could be made not just by merging forces but also specific activities such as resourcing, IT and higher level management.
Issues discussed ranged from the proposed abolition of elected PCCs, prison and rehabilitation, access to justice, a victim task force and commisioner, restorative justice and improving relationships with the Police. Proposals made on how to tackle the growing problem of fraud which is not reportable to the Police and not included in crime figures.
Peter Neyroud, Labour's Victims Taskforce and adviser to the Shadow Home Office team. He is a former Chief Constable TVP.
Discussion group for Parliamentary Candidates
Peter Neyroud gave a presentation on the background to Labour's policy on Policing, pointing out the cuts still to come and what funding there was would be going to the NHS and Education. Savings could be made not just by merging forces but also specific activities such as resourcing, IT and higher level management.
Issues discussed ranged from the proposed abolition of elected PCCs, prison and rehabilitation, access to justice, a victim task force and commisioner, restorative justice and improving relationships with the Police. Proposals made on how to tackle the growing problem of fraud which is not reportable to the Police and not included in crime figures.
Peter Neyroud, Labour's Victims Taskforce and adviser to the Shadow Home Office team. He is a former Chief Constable TVP.
Q&A session on International Development at the RISC on Thursday 8th January
A group from Maidenhead CLP attended a question and answer session hosted by Mary Creagh, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development and Victoria Groulef, Reading West PPC.
Mary gave a résumé of Labour's International Development policy and particularly the significant role played by women in developing countries. A question and answer question raised several issues from the benefits of a stable policy of sustained support to the importance of local initiatives rather than the sometimes questionable involvement of large developed world companies.
Thanks to Harry Gregson for the invites.
A group from Maidenhead CLP attended a question and answer session hosted by Mary Creagh, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development and Victoria Groulef, Reading West PPC.
Mary gave a résumé of Labour's International Development policy and particularly the significant role played by women in developing countries. A question and answer question raised several issues from the benefits of a stable policy of sustained support to the importance of local initiatives rather than the sometimes questionable involvement of large developed world companies.
Thanks to Harry Gregson for the invites.
A few photos of the successful joint November meeting with Windsor CLP.
Guest speaker Lord Philip Hunt spoke of Labour's plans for the NHS. More at http://blog.windsorlabour.org.uk
Guest speaker Lord Philip Hunt spoke of Labour's plans for the NHS. More at http://blog.windsorlabour.org.uk
Cox Green Bye-Election
Called following the resignation of Conservative Party Councillor Alan Mellins to fill the vacant seat in Cox Green. Our Labour Party Candidate, Bob Horner, a Cox Green resident of 27 years has been Chair of Governers at a local school, Vice Chair of Cox Green Parish Council and is currently Chair of its Environmental Committee. Bob is the Vice Chair of Maidenhead CLP.
Result
Turnout 25.6%
2014 vote, percentage of vote, percentage change from 2011
Turnout 25.6%
2014 vote, percentage of vote, percentage change from 2011
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Conservative
Liberal Democrat UKIP Labour |
738 51% -3.4%
315 22% -12.1% 278 19% 124 8% -1.6% |
The 2011 vote was for three seats with Labour, LibDems and Tories fielding three candidates each and the BNP one.
Message from Charles Smith;
“I am very proud of Bob’s hard work for local people in Cox Green – his experience, values and determination make him a great asset to the local community.”
“I am very proud of Bob’s hard work for local people in Cox Green – his experience, values and determination make him a great asset to the local community.”
25th October
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27th September
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Anneliese Dodds, one of Labours candidates in the European Elections on Thursday 22nd May, was out with members of Maidenhead Labour Party, campaigning with their street stall in the High Street on Saturday 10th May, handing out leaflets and meeting with local electors.
Anneliese said she welcomed the chance to meet with and talk with local people and hear what they had to say was important to them. She has been out Campaigning in the South East Euro constituency which runs from Oxford down to Southampton and across to Dover. She stressed that it was as important to vote Labour in Maidenhead as it was in any other part of the Euro Constituency. PAMELA JOAN KENNEDY - 1933-2012
One of our most cherished EC members and long time activist, Mrs Pam Kennedy (Social Secretary/Media Contact). Having been diagnosed with cancer, Pam passed away in her home in Maidenhead.
Pam was a very warm and witty person who worked tirelessly for what she believed in, and contributed greatly to our meetings and campaigns. She is survived by her husband Michael and two children. She will be sorely missed. |
Maidenhead CLP coming out to help Nicky Jerrome, local council candidate in Bulmershe & Whitegates, who won her seat!! 1st Labour Councillor in Wokingham Borough Council.
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Del Singh RIP
Many members will now be aware of the murder of Del Singh in Kabul on 17 January. Del was a popular member of Labour’s European Election team who had the respect of all of us for his work, conviction and massive sense of humour. Del was in Kabul to promote peace through his humanitarian work. He will be much missed by everyone involved with the European campaign. Anneliese Dodds, John Howarth and other members of the team have paid tribute to Del, through the media and social media, on behalf of Labour in South East England. You can read their tributes at their websites. Labour’s Leader, Ed Miliband, paid tribute to Del on behalf of the Labour Party: “My thoughts – and the thoughts of the whole Labour Party – are with the family and friends of Del Singh who was killed in yesterday’s tragic suicide bomb in Kabul. “People everywhere will be appalled and shocked by this barbarous act of terror deliberately targeting members of the international community living and working in Kabul in the service of the Afghan people. “Del spent over ten years carrying out vital work on development projects in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Sudan, Sierra Leone and other countries. He dedicated his life to working with people across the world who needed his support.” |
We are mourning the death of our comrade Del Singh
who died tragically in a terrorist attack in Kabul today. Our hearts go to his family and friends. He was a wonderful person who believed strongly that his work helped make a difference. It was a privilege to meet him. We shall never forget his charm and generosity and were privileged to meet him at our summer day last June. He would have made a great MEP. (Del with CLP Secretary Jenny Cooper) |
EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN
Goodbye Mr Benn – and thanks for the inspiration
He was a minister, and a firebrand backbencher. He united and he divided. He was an outrider and he was a supporter. He was a technocrat and he was an ideologue. He was a hereditary peer and he was one of the most powerful opponents of entrenched privilege. Mark Ferguson says trying to write about Benn, his complexity and his multitudes is like writing about the sun when you’re used to writing about lightbulbs. Benn was powerful, passionate, bright. By contrast other politicians can seem artificial. Tinny. Small. Thanks for inspiring us.
Labour List
He was a minister, and a firebrand backbencher. He united and he divided. He was an outrider and he was a supporter. He was a technocrat and he was an ideologue. He was a hereditary peer and he was one of the most powerful opponents of entrenched privilege. Mark Ferguson says trying to write about Benn, his complexity and his multitudes is like writing about the sun when you’re used to writing about lightbulbs. Benn was powerful, passionate, bright. By contrast other politicians can seem artificial. Tinny. Small. Thanks for inspiring us.
Labour List
