Three days to change your City

What a hectic week it has been. As promised in last weekends blog, Team Millbrook have been out campaigning every day over the past week. Come rain or shine, albeit considerably more rain, we have been building on our campaigning throughout the year with a final push.

Our positive message on the doorstep has gone down very well. I believe that people are ready for change and that they are ready for solutions to the everyday problems. Please click here to read our manifesto. They want to see a real difference across their city.

Another fine example at the junction of Tilbrook & Falkland Road

A bit like the continuing pothole crisis that has dogged Millbrook for years...Unlike the Conservative Leader, who in Full Council last year, refused to come to Millbrook to look at the state of our pothole covered roads, we believe in less talk and more action.

Speaking of action, you might have seen us out and about over the past week as we hand delivered leaflets and knocked on the doors of hundreds of voters.

Just a quick aside, as I sit here typing to you, I'm hearing that the latest Times Rich List are getting richer. They've beaten the economic downturn - so I'm glad "we're all in this together" and that the Conservative and Liberal Government reduced the top rate of taxation for the rich of our country. Anyway...

What a great turnout for yesterdays morning campaign session in the rain! (Left to Right: Lee Whitbread (Redbridge Candidate), Steve Short (New Forest West Secretary), Andrew Pope (Redbridge Councillor), Dave, Victoria Groulef (Wycombe Labour Party Leader), Andrew Godsell, Georgie, Ian Bates (Wycombe Councillor) and Tom (Georgie's Boyfriend).

It would be remiss of me not to mention the fantastic result for Saints yesterday. Thoroughly deserved for the club and fantastic for the city to be a premier league football destination once again. I didn't even mention pompey.

Yesterday out in the rain, we had so many people helping us, that we had to split into two groups; and to be honest, we could've done with splitting into three.

With Georgie leading the morning team out again, myself and Dave welcomed the Southampton University Labour Society to Millbrook. It was very humbling to have so many people coming out to help and support us in Millbrook over this weekend after what was a very committed week of evening campaigning. 

Bringing this very short blog entry to a close this week - I have to get back on the phone to colleagues from the Forest and the Isle of Wight to arrange lifts - I wanted to share with you a fantastic sign seen on the doorstep of a constituent yesterday afternoon. When its cold and wet, this is the ideal pick me up for two councillors and eight students...

With a little over three days until the polls open, please, please, do vote. And if you do think back over the months and years in our community, who do you think will aid you better in these tough times? Who will make sure the bins get emptied? Who will provide solutions rather than blaming others? Its time for change. Six years is long enough.

Not long until decision day!

Morning readers,

A very quick blog from me this morning so that I can grab a few precious minutes with my family before heading out on the campaign trail again.

If anyone suggests that the life of a councillor is an easy one, I suggest they have a look at my diary over the next week. I have one evening off in the next thirteen days. I am taking a week off work and I am tapping up every person I have carried out casework for and door knocked each weekend over the past two years. This is our community and we are serious about ensuring that the people of Southampton get a fair and just Council.

I won't mention the further nastiness that we have been told about by our moles; suffice to say that I am personally disappointed by the campaigning of some partys - but not surprised, especially after my steep learning curve last year.

The first of the postal voting cards hit the mat yesterday and people are already casting their democratic votes. I hope that on Thursday 3rd May you feel energised to make a difference to your lives. It is a time for change, time for a new generation, time to get pride back in our city.

Short and sweet

Good morning constituents, friends and foe! Another weekly update in the political life of a newly elected councillor for the best ward in the city - Millbrook!

As you may be aware, Team Millbrook goes out campaigning each and every weekend throughout the year. However, you may have guessed that there is an election on as now other parties are now getting in on the act and knocking doors and posting leaflets. I think that if you're an undecided voter reading this, you must ask yourself, when was the last time I spoke to a political party on my doorstep? and when was the time before that? 6,000 homes - how committed are your candidates? How often do they give up mealtimes with family? Missing out on that trip to see Saints play? Going to a residents meeting after a door knocking session after a full days work?

A wet wednesday night!

This week I have mostly been out campaigning. Although its now less than three weeks to go, since Monday Team Millbrook have been out together on Monday, Wednesday and saturday. A big thank you to Steve and Caroline from New Forest West and our MP, Alan Whitehead who gave their time freely this week to come out with us. Also thank you to Chris and Richard who also gave their time, albeit it with a bit of arm twisting! As I write this, I know that we will be out again in a little over 2 hours for another days campaigning.

Over the last few weeks, our team in Millbrook and Southampton have been joined by a number of high profile MP's; each of which have gladly helped us out on the doorsteps of Southampton Test. In Millbrook, for the second year running we have had the shadow Energy Minister come down (Meg Hillier & Caroline Flint), the leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband, Local Government Shadow Hilary Benn, and most recently Yvette Cooper ourShadow Home Secretary.

Myself and Councillor Paffey, listening intently on how good Southampton Test is.

My telling you that all of these heavyweight politicians have come to Southampton may surprise you. They have rolled up their sleeves and knocked doors in our community. Its important those at the top table of power understand our way of doing things and the problems we face in Millbrook. 

Whatever you're doing today, have a good one - and if a tired looking man wearing a Labour pinbadge knocks on your door, perhaps he'd like a quick cuppa or maybe a sit down and watch of the footy? Just a thought. Anyway, have to go as I have an important meeting with my daughter; I'm on nappy changing duty!

P.S. One supporter on the doorstep mentioned to me if I could get them a big poster to display in their garden. If you think you'd like a large size Labour poster, please get in contact with me via email and I'll get one delivered to you.

Lies and nastiness...

Is it me or can you tell that there is an election on? It must be an important election as well; its the only way in which I can account for the nastiness and accusations which are being thrown around like confetti at the moment.

This week I have mostly been called a liar for claiming to have been invited to a VIP event; told that I have no knowledge of local government finance; that our manifesto has no new ideas; harassed on twitter and hounded over the Tories made up bin crisis. I shall take each of these issues in turn.

VIP Event: I won't embarrass the Conservative Councillor who first claimed I was lying by having an invite to a VIP launch event at SeaCity. I then showed him a photo of the invite below:

Instead of a simple apology, the Councillor went on to ask for a photo of the reverse - must of been because he thought I'd mock up a copy of the invite - because I'm not busy enough! Another photo duly sent, but that wasn't good enough. He insinuated that I must have obtained it falsely! Right... I can confirm that it arrived in my normal bundle of papers in the post from the Council. However, he did go so far as to checking the guestlist and it was confirmed that Councillors weren't invited. I wonder how he knew of of this if he wasn't invited as a councillor either. I had heard rumours that it was a private party for party supporters, but I guess I'll never know as I decided aginst attending. Still no apology though. Hence my blogging it today.

No knowledge of local government finance: How's about this for a nice friendly tweet about policy in the upcoming elections...

My guess is that the Conservative who runs this twitter account isn't aware of my background in the public sector and local government - having carried out financial work for Wiltshire, West Midlands, Newham and New Forest Councils. I suppose they aren't aware that my first degree from the University of Birmingham, which specialised in local government! Hey - ho, it must be difficult to keep writing about how Labour caused the strikes, and much easier to make personal and unfounded accusations. Both of which are just plain wrong.

No new ideas in our manifesto: A candidate in the upcoming elections asked via twitter if our 50 point manifesto was an "April Fool's joke?". I can only assume that the Tories in Southampton couldn't have been laughing for that long as we've already seen one of our ideas taken up and enacted by the Conservative Council. Six years into a Tory administration in Southampton  and they announce that they are going to look at recycling glass - only a few days after we launch our 50 point manifesto specifically talking about recycling glass - what are the chances of that? 

Twitter remarks: How's this for a message from the current administration...

Now I don't think that I am a special person. I am a husband and a father and an elected representative. But I do think that some people deserve to know what I get up to or what I think on a range of subjects. Heck, by reading this blog I could be so bold as to suggest that you may "be interested in what I have to say". By the way as you are reading this, you are one of the 1,000 people who now visit the website on a monthly basis. Not bad for your locally elected Councillor.

***STOP THE PRESS***

I have just seen my baby daughter drink part of a cup of tea. That's my girl!

***STOP THE PRESS***

Bin Issues: After yet another helpful Daily Echo article, there have been a considerable number of questions and accusations thrown at your local Labour Party and your local Millbrook Councillors. I thought the best way of answering this Conservative mischief was by copying the text of an email I sent to a Mrs. Y of Millbrook yesterday evening:

From:  <>;
To: <councillor.a.thorpe@southampton.gov.uk>;
Subject: Bins
Sent: Fri, Apr 6, 2012 4:52:18 PM
Dear Mr Thorpe
I've read your blog before and you seem to be someone who gets out and about in Millbrook which is good to see. Can you tell me why your party want to get rid of my weekly bin collection? I saw the news in the Echo.
Thank you
Mrs Y

My response:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Asa Thorpe <asa.thorpe@googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, Apr 8, 2012 at 10:43 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: Bins
To: <>
Mrs Y,

Thank you for your most kind email.

I am pleased to confirm that your local Labour party wants to keep weekly bin collections.

In our determination to maintain weekly bin collections, we will submit an application for money from Eric Pickles to keep weekly bin collection. The current Conservative Council were dragging their feet and the last I heard had submitted a late application to Mr Pickles.

After six years in control, there had been no movement on glass pick ups. We published this commitment in our manifesto last week. I now understand that the Conservatives are now looking to bring this in.

On taking control of the council, we would put in a bid for the DCLG money to sustain weekly bin collections. Our much talked of review is focused on improving recycling across the city, not costing hard working employees their jobs.

I hope this answers your question. Happy Easter.

Asa Thorpe


And lastly, whilst spending some time with the family yesterday afternoon, twitter was set alight with claims that I hadn't answered a question over leaflet delivery in our community. Even though our friends in the Unite Union had already commented that they were "proudly" aiding us and colleagues tweeting for days on how various groups were supporting us, that wasn't good enough for no less than 4 members of the local Conservatives.

For the record I can confirm that as part of our leafletting team in Millbrook we have a few friends from my workplace, some individuals from Unison (my union), members of the Labour party, fellow Councillors, a former Liberal Democrat voter and even a close friend of Lady Thatcher. Thats right, even a friend of Maggie. We are a broad church in our party, with many voices and many views; all of which are committed to delivering a Labour Council. A fair council. A fair employer. A future fair for all.

2012 Manifesto: A Labour Vision for Our City

This morning I am proud to tell you about our manifesto for the 2012 local elections here in Southampton. Our offering to the people of our city has been a considerable time in development; over the past 18 months members from across the party, at all levels, have met throughout the year to develop, evolve and fine tune a roadmap for change.

In our manifesto, we wanted to bring pride back to our city; we wanted to offer people hope for the future and we wanted to bring about a real step change to the council.

Our manifesto is a genuine and authentic document. It is owned by all councillors and most importantly each and every Labour member of Southampton, having gone through an extensive democratic process. Ours is a living document which we believe in. It was not written by one or two people and took longer to spellcheck than to write. For a document of that quality, I would suggest looking at the local Conservative manifesto.

So to Mr. Galton and all the other non-believers, here is the #mythicalmanifesto made real. 50 pledges we would like to make to the electorate. 50 pledges to offer our communities. 50 pledges that I can look my family in the eye with and be proud to be a Labour Party member:

A Labour Vision for Our City

Southampton is a great city with a long and proud history. We are all proud to represent Southampton and are determined to rebuild pride in our city. The council has a vital part to play in promoting Southampton to the world as a great place to live, visit and do business in. We need a plan to achieve this – one which inspires our citizens and brings together all parts of our community, involving all parts of the public services, the business community, education and the voluntary sector.

Our city has deep and unacceptable inequalities: for example those living in some areas having life spans ten years longer than in another. By any measure of deprivation, parts of our city remain amongst the poorest in the south of England. It always has been, and always will be, a priority of a Labour administration to do all we can to tackle the root causes of these inequalities.

The outstanding heritage of the city’s historic fabric combined with the range and quality of our culture and leisure facilities plays a key role in raising pride and attracting inward investment. The quality of the built environment and the efficiency and reliability of essential public services are vital to maximising these advantages.

We will strive with all of our partners to raise standards in our schools and colleges. Southampton people should not have to look outside of the city for a quality education for their children. We believe that our young people should be in employment or worthwhile education and training, and we will tirelessly promote and provide opportunities for Southampton’s people.

All our citizens deserve to live in a decent home. We remain committed to providing quality, affordable, homes for all our citizens. We will target our resources and our influence over policy to encourage new house building and improvements in existing housing stock.

For the last five years the city has been governed by a divisive and ideological Conservative administration. Its response to the centrally imposed cuts of the Conservative-led government is to declare war on its own staff. Morale amongst the people that provide important services to our citizens is at an all time low. One of our first priorities when we take control will be to rebuild relationships with our staff and raise their morale: a necessary ingredient in any successful workforce.

http://southamptonlabour.wordpress.com/675-2/