Forum Topic

Labour too scared to knock on my door?

It appears so. Two labour canvassers decided to skip my house whilst knocking on doors down my street this weekend.  They also appeared to skip any other house that looked like it might be owned by someone who would disapprove of the party policies.  Perhaps Ruth Cadbury would like to knock on my door one evening or weekend to apologize for her canvassers doing what every labour politician does and judging people by their pre-concieved notions of who might support them and who might understand economics.

Lorne Gifford ● 3756d50 Comments

In case you are wondering why you see raw sewage in the Thames in Chiswick, Brentford and Isleworth, here's a letter sent to residents by Mogden Action Group."Dear Residents Thank you to all who have recently registered odour complaints about Mogden. We have indeed experienced yet another Bank holiday weekend of unacceptable odour. Thames Water has written to us in response to many complaints recently and simply cannot explain the odour. This reeks of an odour management regime which is simply not fit for purpose.On most other occasion the Company attributes the stench to the six uncovered storm tanks. (the size of three football pitches)  This, we also find quite unacceptable. We have written some 140 emails to Councillor Ruth Cadbury and asked her to address the situation as she is wanting to be elected as the MP for Isleworth and Brentford. We also believe that she is the person who should be addressing the problem directly with Thames Water and Council senior management because it was she who proposed, recommended , voted and approved the ill-fated expansion of Mogden without ensuring that the tanks were first covered as we directed her to do following our expert legal advice. We therefore hold her responsible and accountable as a Councillor. Predictably though, she has not responded to our emails. Storm tanks are being used so frequently that Mogden managers have deemed it necessary to divert sewage flow to river on some  96 occasions following the site increased capacity. Ms Cadbury assured us  that diversion to river would be necessary only approximately once a year following site expansion. Ms Ruth Cadbury also assured us that  any uncovered storm tank may not be used more than six times in a calendar year rolling 12 month period. She promised us categorically that any breach of this limit would initiate an investigation and enquiry with a view to issuing abatement notices against Thames Water and forcing them to cover the storm tanks as they should have done in the first place.  Both Thames Water and Councillor Cadbury have refused to provide information on actual input flow on days when storm tanks are being used and / or input flow when sewage is diverted directly to River Thames. Councillor Cadbury  has also to date refused to insist that Thames Water place any odour monitors near the open tanks so that Hounslow can issue the necessary Abatement Notices.  We are quite astounded that Cllr Cadbury and Hounslow Council has refused to insist on this obviously necessary requirement to monitor the odour and enforce action within its statutory duty under EPA 1990.  It is blatantly clear to this committee that Cllr Cadbury will not take any action to rectify her major blunder in proposing expansion of the site without considering the distress caused to residents by the continuing sewage stench. What is of course the most incredible display of contempt for this community is that Ms Cadbury will not respond to emails or communicate with residents at all on these issues.We took these issues to Mary Macleod MP who has taken the matter up with DEFRA minister who has communicated our concerns to Thames Water.and the Environment Agency. We also took the matter up with Brentford Liberal Democratic Party who have enlisted the assistance of Vince Cable Business Secretary MP to tackle Thames Water. They have also written to Hounslow's Environment Director  and demanded a plan of action. They have not yet received any response from Hounslow. We will keep you updated.RegardsMogden Residents Action Group"

Steve Taylor ● 3746d

“She got the normal fob-off letter from Hounslow and I contacted her again to advise her that it was all misinformation, and have never heard a word back.”Yes I fully accept that Mary Macleod gets the usual fob-off letter from Hounslow but the point I make is that at least she has tried,  even if she wasted her time in achieving only a fob-off letter in response.  To my mind that means much more than actually ignoring residents and doing absolutely nothing as, it appears, has been the  modus operandi of Ms Cadbury for the last few years.  I have to admire the tenacity of Ms Macleod in all her attempts to engage with ‘Useless Hounslow’  against all odds especially when these are issues which should have been handled by local Councillors.  It can’t be easy to be in hostile territory continually especially when trying to ‘negotiate’ with those of far lower intellectual capacity.

Steve Taylor ● 3750d

"I too have my doubts re the veracity of your story."Of course you do. Its standard Labour mindset to bury heads in sand and not listen to the electorate. Labour will never accept that repeatedly stating that white is black does not make it so.

Steve Taylor ● 3750d

"Mary Macleod has had to devote every day over the last 5 years to try to get home the fact that she has been doing a good job to improve people's lives and she fights hard to continue to enjoy the privlidge to represent you for another 5 years"Well as you know I am not a fan of the council but I have to say that where Mary Macleod is concerned she just goes through the motions, she toes the party line. Apparently she has now woken up to what is going on at Brent Lea re their park, but we contacted her months ago about a similar situation of the council misappropriating our local green space for horses and she's done sod-all. She got the normal fob-off letter from Hounslow and I contacted her again to advise her that it was all misinformation, and have never heard a word back. Upon hearing yesterday she was getting involved in Brent Lea I e-mailed again to ask where's our assistance and support from her? So far nothing, and I'll bet a pound to a penny that won't change.

Vanessa Smith ● 3751d

BETTY DAY.  You can't vote for a wimp like me as I am not standing!  So who are you going to vote for?  I really am intrigued.

Matthew Taylor ● 3751d

MATHEW TAYLOR  I would hardly vote for a WIMP like you at least William Prentice has a sense of humour that is something you lack and don't speak for me because I can do that. You are someone who likes to dig your heels in about foreigners  " I said they take priority over the our children when it comes to housing I was speaking the truth." I suggest you grow up.

Betty Day ● 3751d

lol

Matthew Taylor ● 3751d

Genghis Khan?

William Prentice ● 3751d

BETTY DAY.  you don't like Labour, you hate Ed (Boysy) Miliband, you hate Labour cronies, you hate the tories, you hate foreigners, you hate doughnuts, you hate sheds and I don't think you like William Prentice much either.  Who on earth are you going to vote for?

Matthew Taylor ● 3751d

I think the leader (I could think of a stronger word to call him) of the low-life Labour Party Ed Miliband is looking more like Boysy from Fools and Horses and like the rest of the Labour cronies they are out to ruin everything they get their grubby hands on. Ruth Cadbury is like the rest of them useless and the Labour run Anti-English Hounslow Council are despicable.

Betty Day ● 3751d

"I will NEVER vote Tory, But Ruth has got to get either herself or her canvassers on our estate to get our views."And that is the sad reality of the situation in Hounslow borough. The are tens of thousands who won't vote Tory simply because....well because..they don't know but its because.. They are not interested in politics but there is some inherent mindset that 'forces' them to vote labour and they can't explain it. Perhaps its because their Nan told them to. And Ruth Cadbury knows this as do the Cllr cronies surrounding her so why waste their time knocking on doors and worrying about the pesky residents feelings on silly unimportant issues which may affect the residents' boring and unimportant lives when you are going to get their vote anyway.Mary Macleod has had to devote every day over the last 5 years to try to get home the fact that she has been doing a good job to improve people's lives and she fights hard to continue to enjoy the privlidge to represent you for another 5 years but the message doesn't get through even though we have had to endure the incompetence and lethargy of a Labour  Council for the last years. Labour in Hounslow is untouchable and they know it so don't expect them to come begging for your vote. They don't need you or anyone on your estate and your views are of no interest to them.

Steve Taylor ● 3751d

What is really getting my goat is the fact that we have Horsegate in the Pit Park in Isleworth, going on at the moment, and no one seems to care about residents feelingAnd yet despite all my request via emails and phone calls to Ruth and the Labour Party, stating that she has a lot of hard work to do on our estate - Worple Road. No one has replied.  All I have had is THREE leaflets, No Canvassers - Nothing.  Mary McLeod has done more leaflets BY HAND. And is fighting to keep her seat.I will NEVER vote Tory, But Ruth has got to get either herself or her canvassers on our estate to get our views.

ARTHUR GRAY ● 3752d

Nice. Have you ever seen an Ashwell's toilet lock?Many are junk now as they are so old and not properly looked after; but I have breathed fresh life into some of those remaing to create articles of great beauty; a simple function but done with elegance.Cheap (expensive) sheds from your local superstore are rubbish. I built my own and am thinking of living in it (ok in summer but a nightmare in winter). Also not a very attractive place to take a young lady.I suppose really I just revel in the freedom of imagination and ideas that democracy should offer but do find it slowly sinking in a sea of complacent political rhetoric.It's a shame Ghengis Khan isn't standing in this election :)

William Prentice ● 3752d

William Prentice You remind me of a ghost that comes back to haunt people, I thought I had got well rid of you by now. I am far too posh to have a shed in my garden and I wouldn't know the meaning of junk, that isn't my style. I believe in the good things in life. I would suggest that the dodgy LABOUR party seems to hoard a lot of junk in more ways than one.

Betty Day ● 3752d

Just give them the house Betty, you don't need it.Please can I have all the junk in your shed?

William Prentice ● 3752d

Ken Collins  That is very interesting to know.  Also there is a brilliant singer/actress called Doris Day. Are you into ancestry because I would find that most interesting Why would your children want my house haven't you got one of your own.

Betty Day ● 3752d

Origins of the surname Day are Welsh/Irish. Can my children have your house please Betty? 

Ken Collins ● 3753d

"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up by being governed by your inferiors"

Vanessa Smith ● 3753d

"Further to Phil's post, I also had a pleasant enough young chap from the Labour party knock on my door last night - I was surprised (almost disappointed !) that he didn't probe at all when I said that I wouldn't be voting and moved on to my neighbours"With a week to go to polling day canvassers will not stand for hours on doorsteps trying to convert people or having a deep and meaningful debate about politics, it's all about identifying the vote to get people out on the day.However, Adam you should really use your vote, so many people in the world would give their right arms for that privilege and it has been hard won.

Vanessa Smith ● 3753d

I too have my doubts re the veracity of your story. Even if true, what does it prove? 1. That the young people concerned have been brainwashed by their parents/others? 2. That the young people concerned have a distinct lack of insight and are happy to trot out a glib answer?The young people (if they exist) can not altogether be blamed. Critical thinking takes a while to develop and even then it can only flourish given sufficient intelligence and opportunity - sadly, in some cases, this never happens.

Anne England ● 3753d

Yes, I had to laugh too (not believing for a moment you overheard anything of the sort).For a purportedly civilised, intelligent, democratic people it seems we are twats.I'm alright Jack rings in my ears.

William Prentice ● 3753d

I had to laugh.  Overheard  two youngsters talking about CH4 news footage of Ed Miliband out and about, in jeans and jumper  trying to look  like an ordinary bloke,  in the middle of the day knocking on doors and asking folk if they were going to vote labour.  Every single one said  “ oh yes – its Labour for me”  to the big smile of gratitude from Ed Said one  youth  to the other – “well obviously everyone at home answering the door will be a Labour supporter because they are lazing around the house while  Conservative voters are all out at work earning a living and trying to keep the economy going. “

Steve Taylor ● 3753d

William Prentice,  I am glad my ranting as you put it is very amusing to the folk of BRENTFORD. I am not interested in your political views because I do not vote for cronies and annoying people like yourself Everything about me and my political views are genuine but I still have a serious dislike for doughnuts and it will not go away.

Betty Day ● 3753d

Haha Betty.You just keep on ranting - I think the folk on here find you quite amusing and I'm happy to do my bit to keep you spouting forth. I'm so glad you find me annoying, however you are completely in error regarding my political views, although I suppose that says everything about who.

William Prentice ● 3754d

Further to Phil's post, I also had a pleasant enough young chap from the Labour party knock on my door last night - I was surprised (almost disappointed !) that he didn't probe at all when I said that I wouldn't be voting and moved on to my neighbours.

Adam Beamish ● 3754d

Was that meant to be funny, Betty? - it's certainly your most entertaining comment to date.

Anne England ● 3754d

William Prentice I will rant as you put it as much I like. Having dealt with you before with your stupid comments I find you very annoying  You are one of those old Labour    Cronies that cannot handle other people's opinions and you come across as a doughnut and that is even worse. I have never liked doughnuts and I dislike them even more now.

Betty Day ● 3754d

Betty, you should either say, "do not" or "don't", otherwise we might assume you are talking about a doughnut and that really messes up the context of your piece.Also, your logic is faulty to suggest someone could form an opinion on your rantings without reading them first.I trust you find this helpful.

William Prentice ● 3754d

I've just, about an hour ago, had a young chap from the Labour Party knock on my door to ask my vote.  So the answer to the question, if it was a question, posed by the OP is no, Labour are not too scared to knock on anybody's door.  If they had been they most certainly wouldn't have knocked on mine.He seemed a pleasant lad and I let him into the block to speak to my neighbours, although he appeared a tad disappointed to learn that we had voted Green.  Someone really ought to have told him.Guy, I'm curious to know whether during the course of your canvassing work you have encountered any of the Isleworth UKIP council candidates out on the campaign trail?  I'd have thought they would have been keen and eager to get their man elected, wouldn't you?  Don't worry, Mum's the word ;)

Phil Andrews ● 3755d

Matthew Taylor If you donot like what I have to say then donot read it. You seem to want to make a big thing about "foreigners" getting priority over our children. Maybe you haven't got the balls to say what I said and what  a lot of people think about what is going on in this town. I am not the angriest person in Brentford, I am a very honest person and I am allowed to air my views and if you donot like it - TOUGH

Betty Day ● 3755d

Betty - you must be the angriest person in Brentford.  Never a positive word to say, overuse of CAPITAL SHOUTY LETTERS to make your point and an obsession with "foreigners" getting priority.  You have so much vitriol that I can only suppose that this forum helps you feel more calm as you vent all your anger.

Matthew Taylor ● 3755d

I am not sure children should be first in the queue for houses. Key Workers should be high up the list - which was a Labour initiative.In reality, there is not much between the policies of the Tories or Labour - they both would have done the same thing, over the past 10 years.

Richard Smith ● 3755d

The vile Tony Blair and the bigot Gordon Brown ruined this country. Now there is another dodgy bloke called Ed Miliband who reminds me of a second-hand car dealer. Labour (or should I say the LOWLIFE party) donot represent hardworking people and their policies stink. If RUTH Cadbury is a Labour councillor and works for the Labour run Hounslow council, why do all the foreigners take priority in housing in this area and our children are ignored.

Betty Day ● 3755d

Well know I know who ruined the country ! Thanks for the summary Betty - I am definately voting UKIP now.

Richard Smith ● 3755d

Guy Lambert, you talk a load of rubbish and it is typical of your policies. If Ruth Cadbury is tired after a couple of hours knocking on doors, what use is she if she wants to represent the serious issues in BRENTFORD. You say you spoke to hundreds of voters and you only met one who was dissatisfied (DO YOU THINK WE ARE ALL STUPID)Your previous MP Ann Keen was the biggest carpet-bagger and highway robber and her links were somewhere else and not Brentford

Betty Day ● 3755d

I also have a question regarding tax that I would like answered.Would any extra revenue raised be spent evenly throughout the UK, or would a disproportionate amount go north of the border to 'buy' SNP votes in Westminster?

Ian Fillingham ● 3755d

Hello GuySince you know Ruth perhaps you could ask her to explain how mansion tax will make money for the NHS.The Economist is just one paper to detail how £1.2bn might well be raised, but £2.0bn will also be lost due to reduced stamp duty and inheritance tax revenue.I know £1.2bn take away £2.0bn is a tricky sum for Ed Balls, since the answer is negative and I don't think he knows what negative numbers mean, but perhaps Ruth can explain it to us.Is it perhaps a tax that she can say 'someone else will pay' when she's knocking at Labour supporters doors?  Or may be she says, 'oh don't worry, well extend the starting rate down to £500k homes, because we know it doesn't make any sense when applied to 'mansions''.  May be she even cites the Greek example where mansion tax was introduced in 2008 and by 2013 the government deemed anything worth more that £250k was a mansion and had to pay 1% of its value as additional property tax every year.I'm genuinely interested in this, and since you talk with Ruth on a daily basis, and obviously have read this comment, I'd like an answer please.

Lorne Gifford ● 3755d

Most days Ruth Cadbury is out knocking on doors for 3 sessions of about 2 hours each. I know, because I'm often out with her. But there are a lot of doors in a constituency and the majority of them don't answer (people are out at work, or the shops, or the pub)And Vanessa is right to say we will concentrate on those that we think we have a chance with: knocking up a lifelong tory is a waste of precious time  - ours and the voter's - but that doesn't stop us plying the streets of -for example - Chiswick where there are a lot of tory voters, but plenty of Labour supporters too.As to Ruth's moment of 'brain fade': this came at the end of a couple of hours hustings in Chiswick (the audience therefore hardly packed with Lab supporters) where she was well received. Of course, she knows very well what Labour policy is but she was tired and caught off guard though of course Ruth knows this was not her finest hour: it's interesting that even Tory commentators were mostly sympathetic.Having spoken to hundreds of voters on the doorstep and the telephone I have only met one who was dissatisfied with Ruth as a candidate and many who have praised her from personal experience with an issue or just because they are pleased that somebody with genuine, long-standing local commitment is standing rather than a carpet-bagger with no links.There are still 10 days to go and nobody is pre-judging the outcome but the Labour team think we have an excellent candidate with an excellent chance, and morale is very high.

Guy Lambert ● 3755d

That's a pretty sound summary by John of the way it works.  And yes, Vanessa is right, the task of canvassers is to identify and then to drag out enough supporters to get them over the line on polling day.  The simple fact is that in the time it takes to "convert" a doubter a dozen lukewarm supporters can be persuaded to shuffle along to the polling station and place their crosses in the required box.  Sounds cynical, but it is true - conversions are for evangelical types who anticipate their reward in the next life, politicians are seldom happy to wait that long for theirs.Out of interest, the one and only canvasser we have had was from the Tories, yesterday afternoon.  A sweet lady in late middle age who seemed very confused and doubtful when I tried to explain to her that we had already voted.  Respect to her though for managing to negotiate our silent intercom system and congested doorstep.  And ambitious too, considering that our estate is not typical Tory territory to put it mildly.

Phil Andrews ● 3756d

I am glad someone agrees with me at least I tell the truth unfortunately there are a few old LABOUR Cronies in Brentford that represent LABOUR the LOWLIFE Party and they have to be desperate to vote for a load of Cowboys.

Betty Day ● 3756d

Contrary to many people's beliefs the main parties do not attempt to win seats in order to "represent" local communities.As the panic sets in over the next week it will become clear even to the most innocent among the electorate that the priority is to achieve as many bums on seats as possible, even if the candidates are mere donkeys in red, blue, yellow, purple or any other rosettes! Cameron and Miliband are after the job and will stand on anyone's head if that takes them closer to it.

John Connelly ● 3756d

Given her alleged level of 'visibility' as a councillor, does anybody really think it will get better if she is elected to represent an entire constituency at Westminster?

Nigel Brooks ● 3756d

"I suggest her dodgy leader Ed Miliband joins the Ugly Club even better get a job in a circus as a CLOWN because that is what he is."Thank-you for that well thought out insight into political thinking today.

Vanessa Smith ● 3756d

Ruth Cadbury started knocking on doors with her band of helpers months ago. Have to admit now it's getting closer to the election she has not been seen just like as she does as a local elected councilor.

David Squire ● 3756d

Labour should be re-named the "LOW-LIFE PARTY."  I am so glad they donot knock on my front door because they have nothing to offer apart from ruining this once brilliant country.  Ruth Cadbury is like the rest of them USELESS and only interested in lining her pockets and talking a load of lies. I suggest her dodgy leader Ed Miliband joins the Ugly Club even better get a job in a circus as a CLOWN because that is what he is.

Betty Day ● 3756d

That's so weird, because they do the same with me.  Always very smartly dressed and polite as well, so perhaps they should have a political presence!

Lorne Gifford ● 3756d

No Knock or a parking permit. Maybe theres a forcefield on my doorstep!!If Jehovas witnesses stood for election they would win hands down.They always knock on my door and it's uncanny but I'm always in when they do!!

Raymond Havelock ● 3756d

Perhaps they're all in a study group trying to remember their policies before coming out to talk?

Lorne Gifford ● 3756d

We have had plenty of leaflets and had one particular Labour one three times but no knock on the door from any party yet

Paul Fisher ● 3756d

Canvassers often have previous voting intention information so won't necessarily waste time knocking where they feel they will not convert someone. As it happens no-one from anyone has canvassed us since the start of the election campaign, but we were canvassed twice by Labour a while ago.

Vanessa Smith ● 3756d