Forum Topic

Curry for Corbyn - Sunday 6 September

Labour Party supporters of Jeremy Corbyn are gathering in Hounslow's Kingsway Banqueting (270-272 Bath Road, Hounslow TW4 7DF) on Sunday 6 September to raise money and our own body weight on behalf of the only Labour leadership candidate who opposes the third runway at Heathrow.Guest speaker on the night is Ken Livingstone.Tickets for this truly spicy evening of politics are available from http://curryforcorbyn.eventbrite.co.uk

Crispin Flintoff ● 3640d38 Comments

Glad to hear it Crispin, and it occurs to me that I do indeed know a few of the Hounslow-based people who attended.Were there any Hounslow councillors present?  It would be useful to know, not for any malign purpose but simply so that we as their constituents might have an idea of where they stand on the all-important issue of the future direction of the Labour Party.

Phil Andrews ● 3620d

There were at least 20 or so people from Hounslow. Most of them were £3 members who will be looking to sign up as full members if Jeremy Corbyn wins. I wasn't able to promote it to all members/registered supporters in the constituency as it was not an official Labour do, but from what I have gathered since there are a substantial number of local members who support Corbyn - not sure if they like curry though!

Crispin Flintoff ● 3620d

Shameless pimping of your blog, using this thread as a convenient hook - well done, I had not previously been aware of its existence and found it an enjoyable read.The event seems to have gone down well and Ken Livingstone did you proud.  I listened to his speech from start to finish.One negative from an otherwise clearly successful event was the obvious dearth of Hounslow people - other than your good self I spotted only one in the crowd that I think I recognised.  So if local members do, as has been protested, have the gift of freewill on these matters would it be reasonable to assume that the bulk of the local party are in thrall of the neoliberals and the Torylites?Because if so some might consider this ironic given their avowedly Stalinist approach in their dealings with "outsiders" in the wider community.

Phil Andrews ● 3621d

Hi Anne, I have written a report on Curry for Corbyn - including a video - on my blog. http://crispinflintoff.com/

Crispin Flintoff ● 3621d

I'd give this excellent article a read. The journalist concerned isn't exactly what you'd call a muck raking right wing nutcase either.http://thequietus.com/articles/18714-jeremy-corbyn-labour-election-rally-policiesbe careful what you wish for.

Huw Burford-Taylor ● 3621d

So how did the evening go down, Crispin?

Anne England ● 3621d

Not really in that sense Phil but in the sense that, like it or not, Britain now is a very different place to the pre 80's.That is , in part regrettable but it's a very different global scenario now.Thatcher happened, we got over it and you can't un-ring that bell, even if it tolls for thee..Having a Labour government is no guarantee of reducing the rich/poor divide btw, It widened under successive Labour government and they did nothing to get young people into jobs, rather opening the borders wider than they needed to so as to bring in foreign labour. Better to send youngsters to college to run up massive debts to learn how to be a spare part.

Keith Iddon ● 3629d

He has always come across as a Eurosceptic, but he recently expressed his wish for the UK to remain within the EU and fight for changes from within - a naive and misguided policy in my view. http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/28/jeremy-corbyn-backs-british-membership-of-eu

Mick Brent ● 3629d

I agree, and once again I think we are more likely to see a more positive attitude from Corbyn than from the other candidates.  Certainly I would like to see Labour doing more than producing mugs featuring slogans designed to pander to UKIP (or, as was the case in Isleworth, actually getting into bed with them).

Phil Andrews ● 3629d

Whatever the outcome what I would like to see is a government in this country with some humanity. For the first time in my life I am ashamed of G.B. because of the awful attitude the government is displaying to the refugee crisis. I know all the arguments about the pressure a large scale intake of refugees would put on our infrastructure, but that has been neglected for years and massive investment is required for the people already here, if the government has money for the House of Lords (£94 million) the cheap sell-off of RBS and Royal Mail then they have the money to spend on housing, health and education that would benefit all of us. Teresa May is an idiot banging on about people only coming here if they have jobs, I don't suppose scanning the Jobs Vacant ads. is high on the list when you are running for your life, these people are desperate and are NOT heading here for benefits, they want to work and get educational qualifications that would benefit us. That we refuse to share the responsibility with the rest of Europe is a national disgrace.

Vanessa Smith ● 3629d

If "time" is about exploitation of working people, persecuting people in genuine need of benefits, widening the gap between rich and poor and starting wars which result in the death of innocents and the displacement of entire peoples is that really such a bad thing?

Phil Andrews ● 3629d

I was under the impression that Corbyn was against membership of the EU.I do agree with him on that but as to most of what I know of his policies I think he's a man out of time.

Keith Iddon ● 3629d

Excellent post Phil. I've been a Labour Supporter most of my life, but felt morally obliged to withdraw that support when the despicable Blair was elected leader. Since then, Labour has been a neo-liberal party just like the Tories and the Lib Dems. I don't agree with Corbyn on everything (in particular his support for the EU) but he has been a breath of fresh air and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of people beginning to question the neo-liberal orthodoxy. More power to him!

Mick Brent ● 3629d

It was indeed an idiotic and spiteful comment, and am I alone in rueing what seems to have become of the Jim we all knew and loved since he became involved with "that" lot?I'm not sure I agree though that we have "been here before".  If we are referring to the Michael Foot era I do feel the Corbyn program is more in tune with the modern age and less doctrinaire - it isn't even all that radical (surveys suggest that the renationalisation of the railways, for instance, is supported by voters from across the board - even Tories).  It is simply that the political class today has accepted the basic premises of Thatcherism to such a degree that anything significantly to its left is considered off limits.Historians who point to Foot's heavy election defeat in 1983 also tend to ignore the impact of the Falklands War on that result.  Before that happened many pundits were predicting a Labour victory.  History can be cruel and unforgiving.With the widespread acceptance of neoliberal ideas Labour has in my view lost all sense of purpose.  One only has to look at what we have in Isleworth, or for that matter the local leadership, to see what power for its own sake and without ideals looks like.Corbyn may not be the best man to change all that.  But he is the only one with his name in the hat who gives any indication of even wanting to.  Like you I am not a member and don't have a vote, but even I have found myself enthused by the Corbyn challenge.  Sadly I am of the firm belief that it will end in tears, but this is one of those occasions when I would be truly happy to be proved wrong.

Phil Andrews ● 3629d

"Vanessa ' s response was perhaps merely to justify her attendance!"What a stupid and nasty comment, I don't have to 'justify' anything to you or anyone else, as it happens I wouldn't back Corbyn IF I had a vote which I don't, there is a lot of what he says that does strike a chord with me, but I'm old enough to remember that the Labour party has been here before and what the result of that was.

Vanessa Smith ● 3629d

Or alternatively - if enough of his supporters are allowed to take part in the contest to enable him to win, save your appetite for when he is purged from the post and join those who already realise that the future for progressive politics lies outside of the Labour Party.  Mr. A. always keeps a generous supply of Bacardi in reserve for special occasions.  The first bottle will be on me.  #LabourPurge

Phil Andrews ● 3629d

The venue is well worth booking for any functions and is reasonably priced.If Jeremy Corbyn wins the leadership vote, expect further Curries for Corbyn and Jalfrezis for Jeremy. Those of you who are disaffected by politics should join the Corbyn bandwagon and stop being cynical! #Jezwecan :)

Crispin Flintoff ● 3629d

Very droll Keith :)Btw, it's probably a tad off-topic but those attending can be assured of a sumptuous meal.  I know the proprietor of this establishment - he is a tad too close to the local Labour establishment for my liking but he has always been very kind to me and his food is exceptionally good.  I was almost tempted to put on a Jeremy Corbyn mask and go along.Almost.

Phil Andrews ● 3629d

I wonder if any Korma-unists will be there :-)

Keith Iddon ● 3629d

Tickets have sold out for this (160 people have paid). It was not an exclusive event but was ticketed. I will come back with a review of the curry and the speeches..

Crispin Flintoff ● 3629d

I believe the House of Lords is now the second largest legislature in the world, behind the Chinese Politburo.  And it has no more claim to democratic legitimacy than the largest.

Phil Andrews ● 3630d

I stand by my bizarre words. Hopefully the place will be packed out and there will be plenty of boos.Vanessa ' s response was perhaps merely to justify her attendance!

Jim Lawes ● 3630d

I thought it was a bizarre comment.  As I understand it this is a ticket-only event.  I'm not privy to the ways of the Labour Party but I would assume that those who wish to attend the event will have bought tickets, and those who don't will not have done so?What is to boycott?

Phil Andrews ● 3630d

'Now Ken Livingstone is to tell the locals to support Corbyn.' - Only the locals who choose to turn up, Jim so nothing for you to concern yourself with there. Tickets all sold now I see so hopefully you aren't secretly harbouring a wish to acquire one.

Anne England ● 3630d

Oh dear. Thanks - not concentrating!

Anne England ● 3630d

"What a foul event. It should be boycotted."It's what happens in a democracy, what shouldn't is the fiasco/farce/disgrace of the latest bunch of con men, has beens, never weres and thieves to the unelected House of Lords. Jeremy Corbyn and Ken look like angels in comparison with that bunch of tossers. And that's leaving aside Cameron who hasn't a moral bone in his body.

Vanessa Smith ● 3630d

It's next Sunday.

Phil Andrews ● 3630d

Hi Crispin - how did the event go?

Anne England ● 3630d

You guys love this fantasy that the local Labour party is run by control freaks.We make up our own minds on this, like everything else. Sorry to disappoint.

Guy Lambert ● 3630d

When has Ken Livingstone ever before attended an event in the London Borough of Hounslow.He was the doppy chap promoting the rediculously stupid West London Tram through Acton (with the diverting via Bollo Bridge Road etc) at a cost of £650,000,000.  Same bloke who supported that Tower Hamlets Mayor/MP.  Same who supports the dodgy Galloway,Now Ken Livingstone is to tell the locals to support Corbyn.What a foul event. It should be boycotted.

Jim Lawes ● 3630d

Hopefully this event is not being organised by the same people who are managing the leadership election.  Otherwise they will be scanning the guest list for the names of anybody who has ever posted on Facebook or Twitter that they don't like curry.

Phil Andrews ● 3636d

I think toeing the line WILL consist of boycotting the event seeing as Steve Curran supports Liz Kendall!

Ian Speed ● 3636d

I wonder which local Labour Councillor's will boycott this event... or will they all have to toe a line?

Jim Lawes ● 3636d

Best of luck to all involved, hope it's a success.

Phil Andrews ● 3638d

Going on how bad the Hounslow Labour Party is, doubt I would vote for a Labour candidate for mayor

Bernard Allen ● 3639d

I would think there are those in the Labour Party who would prefer it if the headline read 'Curry of Corbyn'.

Keith Iddon ● 3639d

What a great idea!It is generally conceded, even by Corbyn's opponents that he has spiced up the leadership debate. So this event is entirely appropriate and I've booked my tickets. I think that virtually everyone knows that without Corbyn this leadership contest would have been dull, dull, dull. Not only that but a visit to the websites of all four candidates to read their materials will soon show that Corbyn has the most specific, most detailed and least evasive policies.I hope that the event is a packed to capacity, like all the other Corbyn events.

David Pavett ● 3639d

Cheers Crispin, I've got my ticket!

Ian Speed ● 3640d