Leyton and Wanstead Labour Party officers present a cheque to Ken Livingstone

Labour’s candidate for Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone visited Waltham Forest this week to talk to residents and speak at a Public meeting in Leyton Town Hall. Leyton and Wanstead Labour Party gave his campaign a boost by presenting a cheque for £250 to Ken.

Ken also launched his Fare Deal this week. Ken says:

“The choice in London is fares rising above inflation every year for 20 years under the current plans, or a “Fare Deal” for Londoners that cuts them and keeps them lower. Our alternative vision for London is all about being on the side of ordinary Londoners, instead of a just a few.”

 This pledge will see the average Londoner saving £800 over 4 years compared to Tory Fare hikes.

John Cryer MP told the meeting that the changes announced to the Health and Social care bill still include the provision to allow private health companies to use European law to force their way into the health service and put profits before patients.

Local Health Campaigner Neil Zammett spoke about the poor planning of health services in East London and the dire financial problems of our local hospitals. Neil called for a halt on changes and a cash injection to fund services properly. 
Norma Dudley from Waltham Forest Keep Our NHS Public spoke about the threat of privatisation to the integration of care that has been developed over many years locally and is now at risk from the Tories plans.

This was followed by a well informed and passionate debate from the floor with many speakers talking about their own or family’s  experiences of the improvements to the NHS under the last Labour government, and their fears for the future.

If Tom Daley wins a diving gold at the Olympics next year, as he may do, it would seem strange to award first place to the diver who came third or fourth. But that is what AV does.”

Cllr Wes Streeting

Cllr Wes Streeting is a supporter of the Labour Yes! campaign and a Labour and Co-operative councillor for Chadwell Ward in the London Borough of Redbridge, having been elected in a by-election in July 2010. He is a former President of the National Union of Students and currently works as Chief Executive of the Helena Kennedy Foundation, an educational charity that works to support disadvantage college leavers to access higher education and graduate professions.

Ken Livingstone discusses local issues with John Cryer over lunch at The Star of India.

 
Ken Livingstone visited Leyton & Wanstead constituency last week as part of his ‘Tell Ken’ tour around all 32 London Boroughs.

Speaking before the visit Ken said ‘When I was elected as Labour’s candidate for Mayor I promised to listen to the views and concerns of Londoners. Over the coming months I will fulfil that promise with public meetings and events, speaking to thousands of Londoners.’

Ken discussed local issues over lunch with John Cryer MP, Labour Group Leader on Redbridge Council Bob Littlewood, and local party officers at The Star of India restaurant in Leytonstone High Road.

In the afternoon he spoke with local shoppers in Wanstead High Street before going on to other parts of Redbridge including an open Question and Answer session in Barkingside.

Ken Livingstone talks to shoppers in Wanstead High Street

John Cryer said ‘Lots of people wanted to talk to Ken in Wanstead High Street and they raised lots of important issues. There are very real fears over the future of local health services, the potential cuts to police numbers and the threat to Wanstead Police Station. I believe Ken is the man who would stand up for the people of Leyton & Wanstead. Boris Johnson may pretend he has very little to do with the government, but his party is shredding our services and putting our children’s futures at risk.’

Backing Ken’s Mayoral campaign Bob Littlewood said ‘The damage caused by Boris Johnson’s broken promises and decisions to raise fares and cut police has hit outer London boroughs the hardest. We need a Mayor in City Hall who listens to residents in Redbridge and acts to improve life in our communities, not one who makes damaging cuts.’

Ken will be back in the constituency again when he visits Waltham Forest later in the year.

You can find out more about his campaign at  www.kenlivingstone.com

The stall has become a regular Saturday feature in the High Street and is also an opportunity for shoppers to chat with John Cryer MP or one of the Labour team.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror today, John Cryer MP said;

“Cameron promised us he’d cut the deficit, not the NHS. But 50,000 job losses have been announced – including doctors, nurses and specialist staff. That’s a cut, whichever way you look at it. It is a massive con on the British people.”

You can read the full story at;

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/03/03/mirror-special-investigation-reveals-the-real-truth-behind-coalition-nhs-election-promises-115875-22962128/