Launch of Steve McCabe’s Protection of Family Homes Bill draws lots of people but no cats, sadly

This weekend, I did my Labour duty by attending not one but two different meet-up. Sadly, I didn’t mange to snap a single cat but it was still a worthwhile weekend.

On Saturday, I found myself at Christ Church on Pershore Road to photograph the launch of our local MP Steve McCabe’s Ten Minute Rule Bill.

Steve McCabe MP talking to residents about their concerns over housing planning problems

Steve is aiming to protect family homes and neighbourhoods from rogue landlords and cowboy builders. He has been inundated by complaints from residents who are frustrated by the lack of enforcement action to tackle breaches in planning law.

The problem has been exacerbated by  permitted development rights, introduced in 2013, which has provided property developers and landlords with cover to carry out building works which would not meet planning regulations. It is particularly bad in Selly Oak, where the large student population makes it attractive for developers and landlords to convert and extend family houses.

There is a lot of support locally for action to be taken on housing and this showed on the day, with Steve speaking to a full house of local homeowners, property developers and landlords.

You can find out more about the problem and the improvements Steve is hoping to accomplish through his bill over on his website.

The following day, I headed to Bond Street on Stirchley to meet up with fellow volunteers from Bournville Labour Party. We spent the best part of two hours asking residents their views on regenerating the local high street.

Sadly, this is the closely I came to spotting a cat whilst out with Labour this weekend.

It was great to speak to people who cared about their local area. In the course of our session I also spoke to a few people who told me they were Labour Party members and wanted to get more actively involved in their local party. With a bit of luck we should see a few new faces at future events.

As well as talking to people about their local area, we were also there to help people register to vote. Labour has launched the Missing Million campaign to reach out to the estimated one million people who are at danger of losing their right to vote due to changes introduced by the Conservatives.

The Conservatives opted to ignore independent advice which warned them that people would fall off the system, which is pretty shocking, so it’s really important we all do our bit to help people stay on the electoral register.

If you’re not sure whether you are still registered to vote, you can double-check by visiting the Birmingham City Council website. Even if you’re registered, remember to let friends and family know about the changes so that they don’t lose their voice.

Cats of the Campaign Trail celebrates Black Cat Day (and Net Neutrality)

Keen followers of current affairs might have spotted that today is National Black Cat Day.

For those of you who don’t live your life on social media, it’s a day to show some love to the criminally under-appreciated feline. Not only have black cats had to deal with centuries-old persecution due to their association with witchcraft and bad luck, nowadays they face an even greater barrier to mainstream acceptance: the smartphone.

Last year, when we got our cat Zelda from Wythall Animal Sanctuary, we were told by the volunteers who worked at the centre that one of the reasons black cats aren’t as easy to re-homes is that they don’t show up as well on people’s smartphone pics. Given how image-saturated our world has become, it doesn’t take too much of a leap of the imagination to imagine there’s more than a grain of truth in this. Whatever the reasons, the facts speak for themselves. Cats Protection report that, on average, it takes a monochrome moggy 13 per cent longer to find their new home than a more colourful cat? That’s one week longer in care, simply because of the colour of their fur!

While our cat Zelda is ridiculously white (and presents her own photographic challenges – think how difficult it is still to do justice to snow in a photo), I hate to think of any cats not getting the love they deserve.

My own cat Zelda dressed up with a ‘Vote Labour’ red rosette. 

To this end, I’d like to dedicate this post to the black cats who’ve graced Cats of the Campaign Trail so far. And after learning more about black cats today, I promise to do everything I can to make sure the black cats of Bournville ward are represented to the fullest in my blog.

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Thinking of adopting a black cat?

Has Black Cat Day made you want to give a cat a loving home? If so, please contact your local animal sanctuary. And while you might now be interested in the black cats, I’d urge you to keep an open mind about what cat you take home with you and not be one of those people who are only interested in how a cat will look like in photos.

If you’re not in a position to take on a cat (and it’s a big responsibility), why not think about sponsoring a black cat instead?

Important news about the future of Cats of the Campaign Trail (and the internet as well)

One of the reasons Cats of the Campaign Trail exists is because of the open nature of the internet, which means your internet service provider does not discriminate between leading cat/local politics blogs and larger, more commercial web services such as Netflix and Facebook. This principle of treating all data equally is called net neutrality and leading thinkers on technology and innovation believe it has been crucial to the innovation we’ve seen.

Thanks to net neutrality, a start-up company can compete on equal terms with established players. Without net neutrality, incumbents such as Netflix and Facebook could use the extra money they have at their disposal to purchase preferential access for themselves, allowing them to deliver a smoother service to customers, at the expense of start-ups and everyone else who will be forced into the slow lane. Net neutrality ensures there is healthy competition and that new ideas can flourish. It also means an internet service provider can’t discriminate against a certain kind of traffic, just because they feel like it (if they don’t like cat/local politics blogs), which could have worrying implications for freedom of expression.

I’m sorry to report that today MEPs in the European Parliament voted for telecoms regulations that many experts believe will leave the door open for internet service providers to introduce discrimination of the kind I just described. MEPs rejected amendments designed to give strong protection to net neutrality. In so doing, they ignored the advice of no less an authority as Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the world wide web. You can read more about the vote and why it matters over on the BBC News website. For a more detailed examination of the technical issues, I recommend you check out the always-incisive Techdirt blog.

After you’ve checked out your local animal sanctuary’s website, please do take a moment to contact your MEPs and tell them you are not happy with the outcome of today’s vote. I recommend you use the excellent WriteToThem website, which makes it super-easy to contact all your MEPs in one fell swoop. And while you’re at, why not encourage them to sponsor a black cat as well?

What future will cats have under a Corbyn leadership?

The remarkable growth in the Labour Party’s membership since May has been widely commented on nationally. Latest official figures put total membership at just over 350,000, well ahead of the Conservatives’ estimated 100,000 members.

So far, pundits have spent their time speculating on what effect these new members will have on the character of the Labour Party and the prospect of intra-party strife over contentious policies such as renewal of Trident and the power of local constituencies to recall MPs. As (self?) important as these concerns are, I can’t help but feel they are taking attention away from the big question that confronts us, namely what future cat-themed Labour blogs will have under a Corbyn leadership?

Fortunately, if my experiences in Bournville are anything to go by I believe cat blogs will continue to occupy a place of affection in the Corbyn era.

How do I know this? Just yesterday, Liz Clements (@LizClements on Twitter), a returning party member, emailed me a photo of a cat she had spotted whilst out campaigning over the weekend. And given Bournville’s membership has grown by 66% since May I would like to believe Liz won’t be the last person to share with me a pic for Cats of the Campaign Trail.

And what a cracking cat Liz spotted. The cat is doing its best death stare and with its left eye a different colour to its right, it has got a David Bowie vibe.

In these uncertain times for Labour I hope local parties will welcome their new members and encourage them to make a positive contribution. I for one am looking forward to working with new members like Liz to help Labour connect with local people (and to grow Cats of the Campaign Trail along the way).

Cats of the Campaign Trail Roars Into the Corbyn Era

This afternoon, members of Bournville Labour Party got together in Cotteridge for our first campaign session since Jeremy Corbyn was elected Leader of the Labour Party.

Officially, we were out to get residents’ views on the local high street and how it might be improved. Unofficially, I think we all saw the session as a chance to see what residents made of our new leader. As such, even Corbyn supporters like myself were feeling a little nervous.

I’m pleased to say our campaign session went pretty well. For starters, we were joined by two new party members, Liz and Ted, who were very nice and displayed a relaxed confidence talking to residents on the doorstep.

Bournville Labour volunteers Stuart, Liz, Joan and Ted on Heathcote Road in Cotteridge

I was also pleasantly surprised by how we were greeted on the doorstep. With it being a Saturday afternoon, a lot of people were out but the people we did manage to speak with were friendly and, by and large, happy to ‘stop and chat’ with us. I didn’t encounter anyone who said they were put off voting Labour as a result of Jeremy Corbyn becoming Leader. Quite the opposite, in fact. Quite a few residents we spoke to said they were enthused by the change in leadership and two people asked if they could start leafleting and helping out for Bournville Labour.

It wasn’t just the human residents who responded positively to our presence. The cats of Cotteridge were on fine fettle, too. I only managed to catch one cat on camera but he/she did not disappoint (sadly I haven’t yet been able to persuade my Bournville volunteers to take snaps of cats they see on my behalf).

The featured image of the black and white cat roaring is a little misleading. The cat was actually very friendly and it was opening it’s mouth to make a friendly meow rather than anything fearsome. For proof, look at the picture I took a few second before the roar that never was:

Black and white cat strolling up to me on Cotteridge Road

It’s still very early days but I was pleasantly surprised by the reaction we got out and about in Cotteridge. I hope Bournville Labour will seize the opportunity presented by so many new members joining the party to develop a vibrant, sociable local Labour Party which is in tune with local residents’ concerns and aspirations.

How Can We Improve Cotteridge High Street? Our Survey Says…

This weekend, I tried to shake off my post-election blues by taking part in a ‘Talk Saturday’ in Cotteridge, the first in a regular series of doorstep campaign sessions organised by my local MP Steve McCabe.

The focus of the session was on regeneration. After knocking on a door and introducing ourselves, we asked residents if they could spare a couple of minutes to complete a short survey, telling us what they think about the state of their local high street  in Cotteridge and what improvements they would like to see.

As usual, the cats of Cotteridge took an interest in our campaigning antics. After playing it cool iniitally, I couldn’t resist snapping these two characters on Midland Road.

Black and white cat with missing tail wonders whether it can take part in our regeneration survey

Ginger cat proceeded to roll around the pavement when I approached with my clipboard. A novel way of getting out of completing our survey on regeneration.

I was really pleased with how open residents were to our campaign. Nearly everyone I spoke to cared about Cotteridge high street and believed things could be done to improve it. Top suggestions included:

• Improved parking facilities
• A better mix of shops – fewer takeaways, more vibrant independent shops along the lines of Cotteridge Wines and Loaf bakery
• Action on litter and fly tipping

Before going out on Saturday, I was still feeling pretty feeling pretty battered and bruised about politics and replaying the general election in my mind. After campaigning, I felt much upbeat about the ability to make positive changes in my local community.

Saturday’s door-knocking was just the start of my local Labour Party’s campaign on regeneration. Over the summer we’ll be gathering more people’s views on their local high street, both in Cotteridge and Stirchley. Afterwards, we will analyse the results and communicate the findings to the city council, with the aim of getting support for the improvements local residents have asked for.

Tired of the Claws Coming out for Ed Miliband? Here are some Cats of the Campaign Trail to ease the pain

It’s now four days since Labour’s general election defeat. It’s fair to say I was pretty crushed by the outcome of the election on Thursday, especially after getting a positive reception on the doorstep when volunteering with Bournville Labour Party.

In the days that have passed I’ve been coming to terms with Labour’s defeat. I’m determined not to let my disappointment get the better of my hope and optimism for a fairer, more just society.

I only wish some of the Labour Party’s grandees would try to do the same. In the aftermath of defeat, the knives have swiftly come out for Ed Miliband and his tenure as leader. Least edifying of all has been Ed’s own brother, David, breaking his silence in crass fashion from the safe distance of New York.

All in all, you could say the (big) cats of the Labour Party have been sharpening their claws for Ed and all he stood for.

With this in mind, I wanted to remind myself and others that cats don’t have to be associated with intra-party strife. So, with no further ado, here’s my last (for now at least) selection of #catsofthecampaigntrail.

Somewhat aloof ginger cat spotted on Ingoldsby Road whilst campaigning in the Masefield Estate

A friendly fluffy cat which came up to see me when I was doing some last-minute campaigning on Pineapple Road in Stirchley the night before the general election. With hindsight, the cat’s sad eyes seem to suggest it knew how the general election would ultimately work out for Labour 

My own cat Zelda sporting a ‘Vote Labour’ red rosette. My wife very generously indulged my idea to dress Zelda up. I used the photo of Zelda to variously persuade and cajole friends/family/colleagues to Vote Labour. In Birmingham at least, I (erroneously) like to say Zelda helped boost Steve McCabe MP’s majority.

The long tail (of cats)

In my last post, I took the brave/foolhardy step of writing about my experiences of volunteering for the Labour Party in Bournville without the safety net of my usual photos of cats of the campaign trail. To make amends,  here’s a bumper litter of seven new cats (kind of). Enjoy.

Ginger cat giving me a guarded look next to some colourful flower pots. I spotted this cat keeping an eye on me when talking to voters on Pineapple Road in Stirchley after work last Friday evening.

Tabby cat spotted on Middleton Hall Road by my wife when we were out leafleting together last Saturday morning.

I spotted this black and white cat just off Middleton Hall Road. It was territorial and didn’t seem all that pleased to see me. Another fruit of Saturday morning’s leaflet delivery run.

Proof of Schrödinger’s cat’s existence. Spotted on a flat top roof nearby to flats off the Middleton Hall Road. Another find on my leaflet delivery route last Saturday.

This tabby cat was very friendly and came up to me for a fuss when I was talking to local people on Hazelwell Fordrough in Stirchley after work on Monday

This fluffy cat woke up from its snooze under an out of use car when I was out on Oakley Road in Stirchley on Tuesday. The picture is out of focus due to the cat moving so much to get a fuss.

Black cat spotted on Oakley Road in Stirchley on Tuesday evening. This cat was very friendly and came up to see why a group of Labour Party volunteers had strayed onto his or her patch on Tuesday evening.

A week Is a Long Time in Cats of the Campaign Trail

Harold Wilson famously said a week is a long time in politics. However, if the great Labour leader were alive today I like to think he’d tell me a week is an even longer time in the world of election campaign cat spotting.

Rather than deluge you with the many photos of cats I’ve spotted on the campaign trail since my last post, I thought I’d keep this post cat-free and instead fill you in on what’s been happening more generally with the Bournville Labour Party election campaign.

Since I last posted, I’ve been busy juggling some fairly major work headaches with leafleting and knocking on doors for the Labour Party, all the while still trying to be a reasonable husband and responsible cat owner.

The Avengers or Bournville Labour Party Campaign Team with local Bournville Ward candidate Mary Locke in Stirchley

I’m pleased to report campaigning is going down well locally. With every passing day, our campaign team reminds me more and more of The Avengers (the Marvel superheroes rather than the British TV series incarnation), with each of us bringing something to the table. Well, perhaps not quite but I am pretty sure Stuart has a superpower of persuading residents to display ‘Vote Labour’ posters in the windows of their front rooms.

I’ve also really enjoyed getting to know our Labour candidates, Mary Locke, who is standing as a councillor in the Bournville Ward, and Steve McCabe, who will hopefully be re-elected as MP for Selly Oak Constituency.

Selly Oak Parliamentary Candidate Steve McCabe speaking at a General Election at Cotteridge Church hustings event organised Birmingham Churches Together

I was lucky enough to attend the recent General Election hustings event organised by Birmingham Churches Together. Steve performed strongly. I was particularly pleased that Steve presented a positive, optimistic and yet still credible alternative to what the country has endured these past 5 years. Over the course of the debate spoke up for a fully costed plan for proper jobs and wages; rising standards in schools; rebuilding the NHS; decent homes for local people to buy and rent. You can read my write up of the hustings over on Bournville News.

With Mary, what’s really stood out for me is her local knowledge and genuine concern for local people in her community. When I’ve been helping out in Stirchley, it’s amazing how many people Mary knows and the affection others have for her. Often, it’s the little things that stand out. For example, Mary asked me not to knock on a person’s door because she knew that the person who live there was an older, disabled person who would not appreciate being disturbed in the evening. Instead, Mary would speak to that person at a more suitable time. Mary is passionate about protecting the services local people rely on and, if elected, I am confident she will be a determined and selfless supporter of others.

I recorded a short video of Mary explaining why people should vote Labour on 7 May. Hopefully, it will give you an idea of why Mary is going over well with voters locally.

Thanks for reading. I promise my next post will be catnip to all politically minded cat people!

The cats of Stirchley Didn’t Disappoint

Last Thursday evening (16 April), I found myself in Stirchley once again to knock on doors on behalf of Steve McCabe, The Labour Party’s parliamentary candidate for Selly Oak constituency.

I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Our team of volunteers worked well together and there was plenty of good natured ribbing whenever one of us had a difficult conversation on the doorstep.

Lucy, Stuart, Harry and Jim from the Bournville Labour Party out campaigning in Stirchley (I took the picture and so am not featured)

I’m pleased to say there weren’t many difficult conversations; in the main we received a friendly response from residents in the streets of Newlands and Lewis Roads, persuading 20 households to display a Labour poster in their window.

Have you got a Labour poster in your window yet? If not, you can print out your own poster at home here.

But more importantly, what kind of response did I get from the cats of Stirchley? Let’s just say they didn’t disappoint.

A shy black cat keeps its distance on Lewis Road

A black and white cat keeping a low profile next to a parked car on Newlands Road. Was this cat pregnant or simply well-fed? 

The friendliest cat of the evening. This fluffy cat came up to me and was very happy to be stroked. Unfortunately, it’s good-natured enthusiasm meant it was difficult to take a sharp photo.

A sleek black found outside the same house on Newlands Road as the fluffy cat. This cat was more shy than the fluffy cat at first but soon gained the confidence to approach me

Cats of Middleton Hall Road

Last Friday, I (kind of) made the most of my last day of annual leave by delivering letters for Steve McCabe, the Labour Party parliamentary candidate for Selly Oak.

My route took me up and down the length of Middleton Hall Road. Given the busy nature of the road, my hopes of finding more #catsofthecampaigntrail were fairly low.

I’m pleased to say, however, that Middleton Hall Road proved to be more cat friendly than expected.

Let’s meet the non-voters.