Greens and City Farm Campaigners Join Forces in Beckton

In a strategic decision, aimed at unseating cabinet member James Asser, The Green Party have teamed up with the Campaign to Save Newham City Farm to fight the seats in Beckton. In their words:

“This has left the campaign no choice but to stand in the upcoming elections. Newham Green Party has been a persistent ally in the campaign to save Newham City Farm, and represents the strongest opportunity to unseat the Cabinet Member responsible for the decision to close Newham City Farm, Cllr James Asser of Beckton, Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Sustainable Transport.

“Save Newham City Farm campaigner and Beckton resident Alison says, “Numerous requests for the local Labour Council to hold fair dialogue have been rebuffed or completely ignored. Through our campaign we have learnt that the closure by stealth of Newham City Farm and the disorganised Beckton Parks Masterplan consultation are just examples among many of how the Council is dealing with resident concerns. Through our own engagement with the local community, we have learned that there is deep frustration and mistrust because Councillors have routinely not responded to communications. Deputations to Full Council have not been facilitated and public questions submitted have not been answered. We did not start out intending to stand in the May election, but Newham Labour’s refusal to listen to the people they are supposed to represent has left us with no choice.”

We don’t yet know who will be challenging Labour and where.  If there is little challenge, Labour will be able to simply swamp the Beckton ward with activists. This doesn’t guarantee victory, but it certainly increases the likelihood. If there are serious challenges and if some of the opposition parties actually act like they want to win something, then Labour could come under pressure in several places.

There is a real possibility of a serious challenge in Forest Gate South and on both sides of Green Street perhaps as far as Boleyn ward from ex-Labour members in alliance with Muslim groups. Labour has been under pressure here before.

The Lib Dems and Greens must fancy their chances north of Romford Road, in the Stratford and Forest Gate North wards, if of course they don’t go into a competition for the same votes.

Previously, the Tories have had a respectable showing in the south of the borough and might do so again if they were able to focus on a small number of wards instead of taking the scatter gun approach that they generally take to elections. The new seat linking Plaistow and Canning Town might also be a target for them.