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 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.
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.