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.

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.

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!