Thread by @Alecto101

Well this meeting for the potential reselection of Margaret Hodge is very busy. Maybe 400 people in here and more outside the door.

Currently running 18 minutes late. I should have brought a sandwich.

Haven't been to one of these before but I was told to bring photo ID & Labour card. When I got here I was also asked for something with my address on. I pointed out that my prov driving license has my address on it, but they insisted, so I used my banking app. Is that normal?

The room is also around 80% POC, which I am pleased about.
Secretary is explaining the process:
5 random questions, 10 minute speech, 10 minute Q&A for each candidate.

First up Josie Channer, only candidate who spoke to me on the phone. She has been here for 15 years, councillor for almost a decade, campaigned against rogue landlords, works with Office of Police Conduct. Has been Trade Union rep. Passionate about education and young people.

Wants a proper police station in Barking, investment in our transport and schools. Speaks to community all the time. Meets disillusioned families, has heard concerns, wants to work with people as a priority. Her concerns are same as ours.

Wants party unity and for people to get behind Corbyn.
(So clear opposition to Hodge on two fronts so far - in the community a lot and supports Corbyn. Hodge lives in Islington and I have never seen her here; and you know what she thinks of Corbyn.)

Her first q is fittingly about how she'd deal with disagreements in party. She says we have enough enemies, we have the Daily Mail; we need the policies that Labour has and so our priority should be standing together.

Second q about anti-semitism. Says AS and racism is everywhere and we should take responsibility for it, agrees with what party has done so far RE tightening procedures. Says Barking has dealt with it before, shouldn't be any questions.

Third q: prove qualifications, connections and intelligence to represent us in the House?
Says no one can do it on their own, talks of various experiences running against the Tories. Also parliament is a learning experience for anyone, but leadership can support.

Fourth q: how to safeguard our environmental standards with Brexit?
Going to be really hard; she is a Remainer and says it's a shame to leave EU that takes care of these things. Hopes Corbyn as PM would safeguard it. Says she is concerned about pollution and asthma in kids.

Fifth q: how will you keep far right out?
We can do it together. Thames Ward is 50% BME. By constantly engaging with community - living here, being visible, being available - we can combat it. Community may have been disconnected before; need to never regress.

Next up: Laila Butt.
Labour party is divided, not because of Corbyn. He has been attacked by MPs since he was elected; media have been against him and done everything they can to damage us, including working with our MPs. They have assisted media in hurting us.

Should be fighting Tories not each other. (Applause).
Tony Blair moved party to right - Corbyn brought it back. NL voted for Iraq; Corbyn a peacemaker not a warmonger. He had remained composed throughout AS, which should have been tackled earlier. As exists just like Islamophobia

Need to be fair and not blame Corbyn for racism in our party as he has done everything he can.
Laila is British Muslim, Pakistani - was raised to respect all. Joined Lab to fight for equality and justice - values from her father.
Campaigned with Lab for 14 years.

But always felt she didn't fit and had no voice. Didn't understand left, right, moderate.
As she grew she saw more injustice. Felt she was looked down on by a pyramid with rich on top. Couldn't understand why rich countries got richer and 3rd world remained deprived.

London is one of the richest cities in world but since Tories came people are homeless and hungry (some applause). NHS at breaking point, waiting times of up to 20 hours. Almost impossible to get a GP appointment. Need to see a doctor now, not in two weeks! (more applause).

List of problems is endless. Can tackle this as a local who grew up here and knows all issues. Born in Upney hospital. Too much uncertainty.
Born here, live amongsr us, one of us, working class.
Brexit ref was three years ago; have been many debates in parliament.

Tories have failed. Corbyn will rule out no deal. No good anyone here promising anything unless they are going to stand behind Corbyn. Socialist values, protect workers' rights.

Q1: how to deal with disagreements; public or private?
If you're family, you don't expose yourself. We need to keep respect in party, come together, be united to create solid ground so we don't get attacked so easily.

Q2: personal opinion on AS?
It's abhorrent, horrible, nasty. Party has addressed it and is dealing with it. Has addressed in speech.

Q3: Reassure me that you have the competency, intelligence, connections to represent me well in the House.
We fought the BNP, we all got together. Not fair to say it was just MPs. Lots of campaigns.
(Some confusion here btw. Also personally I don't like that these are same qs)

Q4: Environment and Brexit?
There's T zone, electric cars, recycling, but a huge concern because of amount of work.

Q5: Fighting racism?
As before, fought against BNP.
(Sorry am super behind, there was some distracting discussion going on).
Margaret Hodge next. Big cheers and applause, but some conspicuous patches of silence.

Friends, tonight I seek support to carry on job I love. To serve and to fight for better life for people of B&D. (Some people behind me leave).
Everything I do stems from values of equality. I want all of Britain to be equal and be diverse; not a country under BJ.

Wants every child to have best start in life, decent jobs, world class NHS, people who will act on environment
- not vulnerable and having cuts because of Boris/Tories.
Wants Lab gov now (cheers and applause)

When she joined it was white middle aged; now it is diverse. She led that change (?). Praises team for smashing BNP. (Applause). Told Griffin to his face to get out, stay out (cheers and applause). One of proudest moments of her life.
Now Farage might stand in neighbouring seat.

Will keep extreme right out of B&D. Has experience of it. Helped with mosque; saw off EDL; us working with groups to find new places. Will support all communities, inc victims of the hostile environment. Helping to reunite migrant parents and children.

Created Sure Start programme. Goes through her many local campaigns; has kept Barking police station open (I thought it was shut as was said earlier?).
Is helping people of Kashmir. Leads campaign for fair taxes (applause at various points). Our strategy copied by others!

This is not a moment for change. B&D needs an MP with knowledge and long standing in such difficult times.
Being our MP is something never taken for granted because she can change lives - mentions specific cases. There is so much more she wants to do.

Has energy, commitment, drive. Passion is to serve and deliver for Lab and Barking. Big cheers and applause.
(I reckon she's getting back in from this reaction)

Q1: As before, disagreement in party?
Committed to biggest possible tent, will find common ground, will try to bring people together. Hopes she can do that again here.
If it relates to AS as she thinks she does, then she works v hard with other Jewish MPs to tackle it.

If the leadership of Lab had done right thing two years ago and stamped it out we wouldn't have problems we have today - came from fringe to centre.

Q2: Personal opinion on AS?
Horrified by it. Never thought political work would be defined by her Jewish identity. Came across it v little in the 80s, but what got her into issue was social media abuse.
(I don't understand point of this q tbh; who is gonna say 'yeah AS is fab')

(Ask about actions one might take to tackle it, sure, but personal opinion is surely always gonna be 'I do not support AS').
Next q: experience to represent me in the house?
General laughter. Also applause after most of these answers.
MH talks about her kids and schools.

It's not where you live, it's where you spend your time.
Next q: Brexit and environmental standards.
I am someone who thinks we're stronger in EU, no one voted to be poorer. We are weakened on all regs around climate change. Britain should be ahead of game & lead on this.

As we leave EU we will become less relevant/influential, but we should always fight to have voice heard, and do that by leading by example.
Next q: fighting far right.
We cracked in a way that others didn't. Got to communicate - often it is protest vote when ppl feel unheard.

Listen to people, act, communicate back to them. It builds trust.
Never accuse people of being racists, it doesn't help, but equally never cave in or abandon anti-racist values.
Widespreas applause and whooping as MH leaves.

Next, and I think last: Moniba Khan.
Labour councillor in Newham, mother of two boys. Grew up with single mum, knows impact of austerity and seen homelessness and DV. Also a carer for mum, has suffered a lot. Never been a more important time to have strong socialist MP.

Goes through homeless stats, housing waiting times; fire at Samuel Gaza House and housing safety regulations.
Hears about anti social behaviour, crime, violence - but police has lost money, as have schools amd yoith centres.
Corbyn as leader will help us achieve change.

Will move family from Newham to Barking. Will bring standards back up and fight for funding so kids have opportunities, more yoith workers, more police.
(People outside doors are clapping amongst themselves for some reason? Random yells?)

Q1: Disagreement with other members?
We need to stay together for Lab gov. If we don't Tories will take over. We have diff opinions but must stick together.

Q2: AS opinion?
No form of racism is acceptable, we must stand up to all of it.

Q3: Assure me of competency etc in the house?
I will be your voice, will represent you in house for all issues happening in Barking.
Q4: Environment
The deal should be put back to public to vote to Remain or have deal. We have good deal on workers rights & environment

Q5: Stopping far right.
We can do it on the doorsteps. We need to stand together, with Corbyn as leader, with many not few.

Intermission. Postal votes have been verified; they're checking no one has voted by post and then come here tonight.
I am, again, fucking starving.

Right, so, while there's a bathroom break and people complain about how long we've been here, my current opinion is that I don't think the other candidates have much chance. From applause, sounds like room is filled with MH supporters.

I think that this is clearly a pro/anti Corbyn thing; the three new candidates have all spoken emphatically about the importance of supporting Corbyn and sticking together as a party. MH didn't mention him by name ofc.
Lady on stage doesn't think we'll be here past 10. I disagree

Lady on stage says she will explain voting process soon; it will be a secret ballot. She is basically MCing while we wait, bless her. Asking for anyone who wants to sing or tell dad jokes 😂

Also while I have you all here, I just want to be clear that this is the only time I have ever livetweeted a Labour event; I mostly talk about games and my feelings. So plz don't follow if you're hoping for incisive political commentary as I usually don't have any XD

OKAY they are going to pass out ballots soon!
Single transferable vote election (so fave candidate as number 1, second fave as number 2 etc.).
So will be quiet for a bit while I swap my little pink slip for a ballot paper.

Right, so, turns out how it works is they're going row by row - you go and exchange your voucher for a ballot paper at one end of the stage, walk beside the stage while making your choice, and drop your vote in a box at the other end of the stage.
The queue is looooooooong.

I should be clear, no one is going row by row. It's like a flight with unbooked seats.

I am at the back of the queue. Also this is after some people have left, as after you vote you can go home.

I voted! And so has everyone else. Spoke to a couple of the officiants (is that the word?) and they reckon it'll be up to an hour for the result, depending on how tight it is.

You know what I'm gonna stay for the result, I've been here for nearly three hours, what's one more? And I have a book with me.
As soon as results are announced I will tweet.

RESULT: Margaret Hodge stays, room goes wild, they are chanting Margaret behind me

No mention of numbers, just that Margaret won.
MH is speaking, says that the first job for Labour is to rebuild unity.
And now I'm going home!