Brent: Stonebridge by-election
Posted on Friday 17 August, 2007
Filed Under Politics
There’s an interesting by-election coming up on September 13 in the Stonebridge ward of Brent Central, a deprived outer London area with inner city problems.
Last year it featured on a list of the ten most dangerous areas in the capital, ranked by number of muggings:
Stonebridge in Brent, north-west London, was in tenth place with 209 robberies. It was the scene of a triple family murder over a drug row on the Stonebridge estate last year, as well as the double murder of seven-year-old Toni-Ann Byfield and her drug dealer dad in 2003.
Labour is standing Zaffar Van Kalwala, somebody I know nothing about. Potential canvassers should email brentlabour@hotmail.co.uk, stating Labour Party membership number and times of availability.
Respect is running Sarah Cox, a retired teacher and longstanding member of the Socialist Workers’ Party. Wards like Stonebridge represent an acid test for the Galloway-led organisation: if it really is capable of making headway in working class areas without a predominantly Muslim population, this is the kind of place it will have to prove it.
Other candidates include Funmi Aladeshe (Conservative); Brian Orr (Green Party); and Sandra Elina Wiltshire (Liberal Democrats). As ever, the comments box is open to campaigners from all parties.
<<Go back
Comments
8 Responses to “Brent: Stonebridge by-election”
I assume that Respect/SWP will try to flood the borough with members and use this campaign as a trial run of Galloway vs. Fitzpatrick
your point:
“Wards like Stonebridge represent an acid test for the Galloway-led organisation: if it really is capable of making headway in working class areas without a predominantly Muslim population, this is the kind of place it will have to prove it.”
is spot on
I assume that Respect/SWP will try to flood the borough with members and use this campaign as a trial run of Galloway vs. Fitzpatrick
your point:
“Wards like Stonebridge represent an acid test for the Galloway-led organisation: if it really is capable of making headway in working class areas without a predominantly Muslim population, this is the kind of place it will have to prove it.”
is spot on
Sarah Cox is quite well-known in Brent, both in trade union and community activity, and I would say respect for her (no pun intended) extends well beyond SWP supporters and left-wing activists. I remember when we were campaigning in south Kilburn during the Brent East by election we had quite a team out (Socialist Alliance) but some local youth were coming to talk to her either she had taught them or they knew her through local issues campaigning, also her daughter is a local nursery teacher I think. Anyway, well-rooted, as well as a serious socialist. Has been particularly active recently in NHS campaign though also a mainstay of Brent Stop the War, which is nevertheless not just an SWP front. Also working with the trades council on anti=privatisation campaign.
Pity about the “party” though, I think SWP in Brent did better when they were in Socialist Alliance, Respect is just a burden and extra banner to carry, bit of an embarassment really. Still, it is wrong to confuse a hard-working and dedicated activist like Sarah Cox with a floating Galloway.
‘Fraid I don’t know who the Labour guy is, but maybe someone does.
Labour is standing Zaffar Van Kalwala, somebody I know nothing about.
Come on Dave, never heard of Google?
He stood in Wembley Central ward in the 2006 local elections, lost to the LibDems.
He is/was ‘Policy Compliance and Monitoring Officer’ for the Ouseley Review Implementation Working Group at Southwark – this refers to the report commissioned from ex-CRE chair Herman Ouseley on racism in the borough and published in 2005. – see http:// http://www.blink.org.uk/ pdescription.asp?key=6240&grp=30
He was/is also a council officer in Southwark’s ‘Strategic Services Department’ and part of its ’social policy unit’, where his role is to ‘monitor and report on the council’s performance’. http:// www. southwark.gov.uk/YourCouncil/Equalities/bulletinmarch06.html
I’m assuming this is the same Zaffar Van Kalwala – though as there’s no other mentions of him, apart from the Brent election results for 2006 on the web/on the Southwark website since early 2006, he may well have moved on since then.
Didn’t Respect do okay in Bristol at a recent council election? I think it’s crucial that they raise their profile not just outside predominantly Asian areas, but also outside London. I’d vote for them if I saw that happening.
I find Modernityblog’s obsession with Respect rather suspicious…
Indeed Charlie is right, Brent Stop the War is one of the more independent minded Stop the War groups based upon their input at various national meetings.
I know Brian Orr the Green Party candidate. He is an ecosocialist and member of Green Left, the anti capitalist platform in the Green Party.
He’s a sound bloke, leftists should consider voting for him, if they find the politics of Respect unappealing and consider Labour as a centre right party these days.
Wouldn’t exactly call Zaffar centre right though.
He’s from the sane platform in the Labour Party. ;o)