A Day of Action Part 2

Well it started with me bumping into the chairman of a local tenants and residents association on the 184 from Castleford to Pontefract (Story all on its own) and comparing notes about a UK Coal plan to build 900+ new homes on the site of the former Prince of Wales Colliery and the possibilities of a community centre.

Bought two paintings at the DIVA Art exhibition at Pontefract Central Methodist, which was opened by David Ward the editor of one of the local papers, comparing notes on how it may be possible to help more people realise how much arts and craft activity there is across the five towns. The associated photograph taken as David declared the exhibition open may be a little bit edited as there is currently a period of purdah leading up to the election on Thursday when the paper comes out and people go out to vote, a policy not to give any group political advantage. On the subject of the election we both commented that things are looking interesting. In my case that was based on the number of people that I have met that are talking of coming out to vote and not voting for "that lot", not sure David's take but I think his team are also picking up vibes in what is a quite traditional Labour Area.

On to the Market Place to be joined by Trevor at the PWAG market stall, Trevor is one of the local Labour Councillors who is up for re-election on Thursday and who is therefore considering his future just now.

We have both resolutely opposed the ridiculous proposal that has been tabled for 6 industrial wind generators on Went Edge and we spent time yesterday showing our support. There were further photographs taken for another local paper which comes out on Friday and purdah will not apply. Trevor then moved on to resume his campaigning to save his seat.

Mark Crowther a colleague, our candidate and Trevor's opponent then joined the group at the stall. Mark is equally committed to opposing the wind farm application a fact which people seem to really appreciate. We stopped until just after three then I went on to collect more save our local Post Office signatures until the market wound down.

Throughout which I heard a significant amount of "that lot" comments, it also transpired that the local MP Yvette Cooper (even now as a Brownite Minister the Blairs Babe label seems to stick, link that with a public local disgust at parliamentary expenses and second homes, the fact that she is Ed Balls partner and was parachuted in to replace a well respected and hard working MP, her pathetic defence on Newsnight of the 10p tax rate cut , her upholding the government decision to close local post offices, HIPS and a host of other things including the demolition of our hospital to arrange a smaller one, I really would not like her on my side if my seat was in jeopardy RANT OVER) was out campaigning on behalf of the Labour Councillors in jeopardy. Very pleased that she is doing that as she is seen by many as part of the problem and not the solution.

As the day wore on I got a series of calls from colleagues in other parts of the district and "that lot" comments are quite general and growing, lets hope people turn that energy into a strong voting message.

The Pontefract North Ward is being contested by Phil Thomas and he has been updating his experiences on his blog as he goes along, he stood in 2007 and worked really hard to support local people on a number of issues, this has meant that the number of people that recognise him and have offered support has really grown this year. Even so he has pretty much walked up every drive, posted leaflets through letter boxes and spoken with people across the Ward. With Yvette's help for his opponent I predict very interesting results at the count next Friday.

Finished the day at the concert by The Castleford Choral Society and the Gawthorpe Brass Band. Brilliant!