Meeting War Veteran Harry Smith

Today I met War Veteran Harry Smith.
Harry came to Stroud to talk to Labour Party members about his memories of his childhood growing up in Britian without the NHS.
You can view a video of Harry's moving  speech at the Labour Party conference.

91-year-old war veteran Harry Smith at the Labour Party Conference: https://youtu.be/CsmIfDNeKLY

Labour Candidate for the Slade Ward for Stroud District Council

Wildlife Hustings in Stroud

We had a great turn out last night in Stroud for the Wildlife debate - standing room only !

It was made quite clear to the Conservative candidate our views on the badger cull and we think he got the message!

Thanks to everyone who came . It was a very lively evening !

International Workers Day March in Stroud

The 1st of May is Internationals Workers Day, I joined Stroud Labour Party and Gloucestershire Fire Brigade Union members in Stroud Town Centre for the Annual March through the town. 

The sun was shinning and there was a fantastic turnout, Cheltenham Samba Band led the way. There was a good representation from different Working Unions incuding Unite and Unison. 

Afterwards everyone is invited to Stroud Town Hall for a Lunch and refreshments provided by Stroud Labour Party. 

I had an opportunity to meet Dawn Primarola MP, who I have admired for many years for her work as Bristol South MP and Deputy Speaker of The House of Commons.  

Related links

Stroud Community TV voices from International Workers Day March Stroud May 3rd 2014

http://stroudcommunity.tv/international-workers-day-in-stroud/

Canvassing in Whiteshill with Iain McNicol

Today I have been canvassing in Whiteshill with Labour General Secretary Iain McNicol. 

We were also joined by Labour Stroud District Councillors David Drew and Roger Sanders, and County Councillor Lesley Williams. 

Meeting with Maria Eagle MP and Roberta Blackman-Woods MP

This week I have attended 2 meetings at Stroud Labour constituency Offices in Landsdown.

The guest at these meetings were Maria Eagle MP (Shadow Environment Minister) and Roberta Blackman-Woods MP (Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government). 

Maria Eagle MP met with myself and other individuals representing groups involved with the Anti Badger Cull Campaign. She wanted to hear about our experiences on the ground during the Badger Cull Pilot last year.  She also spoke to Dr Chris Cheeseman about his research and vast knowledge of Bovine TB and Badgers. 

I also met Roberta Blackman-Woods on Thursday to talk about her role as Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government, she listened to Labour Councillors concerns about the Governments planning policy and the threat of losing green fields to housing development. 

We also discussed Neighbourhood Plans and their role within local communities and Parish Councils. This was of particular interest to myself as a Parish Councillor, as Whiteshill and Ruscombe are in the process of doing a neighbourhood plan at the moment, Roberta assured me and others at the meeting that the Labour Party fully support Neighbourhood Plans and see them becoming a vital tool for local Councils and communities in the future. 

http://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/11142984.Shadow_environment_secretary_Maria_Eagle_calls_for_stop_to_badger_cull_during_visit_to_Stroud/