Apologies for my absence (due partly to Wanadoo’s apparent inability to maintain a basic broadband internet connection, for the second time in a week), but I have otherwise been rather busy.
But a 20-hour day proved worthwhile yesterday when the Greens broke through on Camden council, winning two seats in Highgate ward. I’m sure Maya and Adrian will do a brilliant job.
There was further cause for celebration in London, particularly in Lewisham, where what had been one council seat was converted to six. Lambeth, Southwark and Islington also elected their first Green councillors.
As for my own run in Regent’s Park, I reckon my door-to-door campaigning won about 300 votes – thanks to anyone who made one of those reading this! – with Greens picking up many split votes. The challenge next time will be to convert those “ones” to three Green votes. I also reckon the activity lifted turnout by at least a few percentage points, so you could call it a bit of a contribution to democracy.
Overall, Labour was demolished in Camden, and of course nationally Tony Blair has hit the panic button bigtime, with a massive reshuffle of the government. I was trying to think of something more original than deck-chairs on the Titanic, but that does the job so nicely.
And even though she belongs to a party that nationally is demolishing human rights and making a total mess of the NHS and education, congratulations to Antonia for her victory in Oxford. I’m sure she’ll also do a great job on the council, and it sounds like she has a fascinating ward.
About
One comment