Haringey Liberal Democrats

as you may have heard Seven Sisters Labour councillor Fred Knight has sadly died after forty seven years of service.

As our Tottenham PPC, David Schmitz, said at the time:

"One needed to have only the slightest acquaintance with Fred in order to see that here was a man of great warmth who had gone into politics for all ...the best reasons. In his dealings with us, he always treated us not so much as rivals, but as younger recruits to public service who were to be welcomed. We will greatly miss him."

Convention normally demands that campaigns don't start until after the funeral, but activist from one other party have taken the unfortunate step of formally starting the by-election and not even waiting for Fred's funeral. The local Labour party started delivering leaflets only a few days after Fred died.

We will therefore be campaigning in Seven Sisters as of now, and we are fortunate to have in David Schmitz a fantastic and very active PPC who has been working hard in the area on many key local issues in Tottenham – not least the hugely controversial Wards Corner Development near Seven Sisters Tube, just outside the ward.

I know from the calls we have been receiving in the office how angry many of you are over the constant failings in Labour-run Haringey services – especially in recent week, over the appalling tragedy of Baby P. The Labour administration encourages and presides over a culture of secrecy in which mistakes were covered up and whistleblowers ignored. By defeating Labour in the by-election we can send those responsible the only sort of message they understand, and elect a hard working local champion for the people of Seven Sisters who will hold Haringey council to account.

We will be meeting at the Oakdale arms 10am every Saturday and Sunday and 6:30pm Every Monday to Thursday (except Christmas eve, Christmas day, New Year's Eve and New Year's day). In addition please get in touch if you can do clerical work or telephone canvassing.

The Oakdale Arms is at 283 Hermitage Road N4 1NP (corner Hermitage Road and Oakdale Road). Anyone coming via Hermitage Road must approach from St. Ann's Road, as there is a barrier to anyone who approaches from the opposite direction. It is on the right just after the railway bridge. If you are coming on public transport it is just a short walk from Manor House tube, or from Harringay Green Lanes overground station. St Anns road is serviced by many buses.

Kind regards,

Fred Carver
Agent in the Seven Sisters by-election.Read more

I just wanted to email you to let you know that my colleague Cllr Wayne Hoban has decided to stand down from the council after six years of working hard for local people. I know this was a difficult decision for Wayne, but following a change of jobs he had to move out of London to be closer to his work. He was a fantas...tic colleague and we will all miss him.

This means that there will be a by-election in Alexandra Ward. It's too early to say exactly when this will fall, but it is likely to be on October 9th. Supporters such as yourself have been really fantastic in past by-elections and I very much hope this is going to continue. If you've never been involved in an election campaign before, then this is your perfect learning opportunity: they are great fun and we are always willing to welcome new faces.

Our office will be open 10-10 Tuesday to Sunday so just come along and muck in. Our HQ is above the 3 Compasses pub at 62 Hornsey High Street N8 7NX. Alternatively, if you would rather help from home, email me and I will gladly make sure you have telephoning to do or envelopes to stuff from home.

By-elections are of course expensive things (our rivals may spend up to £1000 each to beat us) so if you were able to give a donation it would be much appreciated. Send cheques (payable to "Haringey Lib Dems") to 100 Uplands Road, Freepost 11153, London, N8 9BR.

I hope you'll all join me in wishing Wayne all the best - I look forward to seeing you on the streets!

Kind regards,

Lynne.

Lynne Featherstone MP
Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green.

P.S. This is Yom Kippur so if this affects you please do apply for a postal vote.Read more