Liberal Democrats call for full 603 bus service

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Local Liberal Democrats have stepped up their campaign calling for a full day service on the popular 603 bus route. Consultation will decide the future of the route, which runs from Swiss Cottage to Muswell Hill.

Lynne Featherstone MP presented Peter Hendy, Commissioner for Transport for London (TfL), with a petition with 312 signatures in the autumn, in a bid to show how well loved and needed the 603 route is by local residents. With the upcoming consultation, local residents will again be given a chance to show how widespread support is for a full service.

As TfL has yet to define the time frame and format of the consultation, Lynne Featherstone MP has again written to Peter Hendy, demanding clarification. All details will be published on her website when a response has been received.

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green comments:

“The 603 is such an amazingly popular and useful route, but the frequency of service means that it’s only of limited use to residents in the area today.

“The upcoming consultation offers a chance for residents to let TfL know just how much we love and need this route to serve our local community. So keep an eye on my website for further details on how to respond to the consultation.”

Cllr Martin Newton, Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson adds:

“Local residents and Lib Dems were at the heart of the campaign to set up the 603 service and we have been campaigning for a full service on this route ever since.

“This is a much used and needed service that will benefit the local community further if a full service is provided.”

Controlled parking zones and the Queen

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A quick plug for two stories: residents in Bounds Green are threatening Haringey Council with court action for failing to properly consult residents over parking plans:

Plans to seek a judicial review have the support of Hornsey and Wood Green MP, Lynne Featherstone. She said: “My understanding is a large proportion of residents
were not properly consulted, and that is unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, Labour is talking about getting children to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen:

Lynne Featherstone, the Liberal Democrat youth and equality spokeswoman, said: “I don’t think pledging allegiance to the Queen is the answer to young people’s problems.”

I'm the bride – at last!

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After finishing runner-up numerous times in blogging and other awards ceremonies – thankfully not a habit that’s spread to public elections! – I was expecting to be the bridesmaid and not the bride once again tonight at the (Lib Dem) Campaign For Gender Balance Blog Awards.

But no – this time I won! The Judges’ Category for best blog went to the highly deserving fellow Haringey resident Alix Mortimer, and I topped the list in the People’s Choice category.

Congratulations too to Jo Christie-Smith (best post) and Betsan Powys (best non-Lib Dem).

Highgate by-election – Lib Dem Rachel Allison sweeps to victory

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Haringey Lib Dems and their popular candidate Rachel Allison are celebrating a stunning win in the Highgate by-election this morning. The party secured over 50 per cent of the poll and almost trebled its majority, to 614 votes.

The election was a disaster for Haringey Labour. The party polled just nine per cent of the votes – their worst ever result in the history of elections in the borough. The result also confirms the Lib Dems as the only challengers to Labour, with the Tories comprehensively beaten – and still with no seats on Haringey Council.

Local residents responded to Rachel Allison’s positive campaign to protect local services and tidy up the area, giving more say for Highgate residents.With the Council finely balanced, with 31 Labour councillors to 26 Lib Dems, Highgate residents confirmed that only the Lib Dems, and their hard-working local team, can bring these positive changes to the Council.

Lib Dem Highgate councillor Rachel Allison comments:

“I’m thrilled to have been elected to serve the people of Highgate, and I would like to offer my thanks to everyone who came out to vote in the election. I have met hundreds of local residents over the past few weeks, and it’s going to be a pleasure to work on their behalf.”

Local Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone adds:

“Many congratulations to Rachel, who will make a fantastic champion for Highgate. She will be joining a Lib Dem team that has transformed the political landscape in Haringey.I’m looking forward to working with Rachel on behalf of Highgate residents.”

Rachel Allison 1,339 (50.9%)
Labour 241 (9.2%)
Tories 725 (27.5%)
Green 138 (5.2%)
Independent190(7.2%)

Rachel wins – and more than doubles the majority

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Hurrah! Rachel Allison has won the Highgate ward by-election, with a big swing and a more than doubling of the Liberal Democrat majority:

Rachel Allison (Liberal Democrat) 1,339 (50.9%, +12.6%)
Peter Forrest (Conservative) 725 (27.5%, -1.5%)
David Heath (Labour) 241 (9.2%, -1.3%)
Ralph Crisp (Independent) 190 (7.2%, -4.4%)
Sarah Mitchell (Green) 138 (5.2%, -5.3%)

Liberal Democrat majority: 614 (23.3%, +14.1%)

The figures I’ve given are compared with what the top candidate from each party won in 2006. However, the closest gap last time (between the third Liberal Democrat and the top Conservative) was 242 – so 614 is more like a trebling of the majority, and despite the usual lower turnout in by-elections.

So whatever way you look at it – fantastic result for Rachel and the team! And a great result for the residents of Highgate & Archway as I know Rachel will continue to be a sterling local campaigner – but now with even more opportunities to improve our community courtesy of being a councillor.

UPDATE: The Haringey Independent seems first off the mark with online coverage of the result.

Thursday is polling day

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A quick note for residents of Highgate ward (which also includes the Archway area): tomorrow – Thursday 6 May – is polling day in our council by-election.

Polls are open 7am – 10pm and you don’t need your polling card to vote.

If you’re a postal voter – there is still time to return your vote as it can be handed in at any polling station in the ward.

And of course – local resident and campaigner Rachel Allison is the best person to be voting for!

The Big Green Bookshop

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My heroes of the Wood Green bookshop are opening their new bookshop on Saturday – The Big Green Bookshop.

They are trying to make sure they are ready in time – so if anyone can help them get ready for the big day they would love some help. They have bunting to make and flyers to distribute and making the bookshop pretty! So if you are free Thursday or Friday afternoon – please go give them a hand.

And wishing them all the best for Saturday – it’s great to have a bookshop about to open in Wood Green!