Friends Reunited?

We understand that, in the twinning of strong constituency Labour Parties with their less robust colleagues in distant shires, the CLPs in Newham have been twinned with the party in Ipswich.

Currently Labour hold 32 of the 48 seats on Ipswich Council. On 2nd May, the burghers of the coastal metropolis will go to the polls to elect members of a new council.

In the bad old days before Mayor Fiaz ascended, when the party operated like a political party, you know, members had meetings, argued together, made decisions, Newham Labour sent teams out into Essex to support fraternal colleagues.

After three years of suspension, it is difficult to see what will inspire the Newham members, assuming that there are some left, to travel to the eastern boundaries of the nation to support their colleagues.

Locally, Newham Labour have stepped up their doorstep campaigning in order to forestall inroads from the Independents; it is not clear whether the small group of weary activists will be able to generate the enthusiasm to travel. Certainly, nothing is being advertised.

A footnote to this story is that the election of the Police and Crime Commissioners will also be held on 2nd May. The Suffolk area happens to include Ipswich.

We understand that the Labour candidate would welcome seeing some of his old comrades on the door knocker. He does ask however, that they leave the current mayor at home. He wants to win votes, not alienate voters.