Doing Question Time

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Off to Leeds for Question Time on Thursday, catching the 4.35pm train from Kings X. Spot Harriet Harman and assistant in queue for train and introduce myself briefly – then revert to place in queue.

On the journey have to read all the papers and need to make some notes on key issues that might come up. They give you no idea whatsoever as to the questions.

Arrive in Leeds and all five guests are gathered together and put in a people mover to the TV studios. Banter between Borris (Johnson) and Andrew (Rawnsley); boys’ stuff – who knows more about the leadership contests etc.

Up to the Green Room where banter has disappeared and everyone is shifting nervously about. Some students who have won a competition to produce a Question Time later in the year are wheeled in to meet us – but I honestly too nervous to really talk properly with them.

And suddenly – we’re off. Down to the studio where David Dimbleby is talking to the audience and we are introduced one by one. One warm up question is put (that isn’t broadcast). It is on George Galloway and the oil vouchers. I am surprised that it is used for the warm up – but given the answers, perhaps the possibility of libel meant it was better not used for real!

The Question Time music comes up – and first up is the election results. It seems an age before David comes to me – and I manage to get out a voting reform plea. Second question on ‘hoodies’. Now I know all about hoodies as my teenage daughter a) wears them b) informs me that kids in hoods are nothing compared with the ‘Rude Boys’ (different dress code).

I write down ‘dress code’ and Boris (who I am sitting next to) peers at what I have written – probably a skill learned in school exams when he didn’t know the answer! I give my view – which essentially boils down to any establishment having the right to have a dress code but that the real issue is about how people behave not how they dress. And if their behaviour is a problem – then it needs addressing properly with due attention from teachers, parents, social services etc.

Harriet, for reasons I don’t understand, launches into New Labour speak on ‘yobs’ – but went over the top. I think she was overly defensive – but it can’t be easy being a Labour Minister and – as she had said to me earlier – last time she was on she had made a dreadful faux pas (which I had watched and thought funny) by accidentally referring to ‘Prime Minister Brown’. Funny for us watching – but probably not funny if it’s you saying it.

And so the program went on. When someone suggested Boris as the new Tory leader – Boris did his charming, ruffled, bumbling persona stuff – and he is sooooooo funny and the audience do just love him. I was glad he was there as it relaxed me and just made me laugh too.

And then it was over. I lived!

Afterwards in the Green Room there was a buffet supper and as the program is taped as live about an hour and a half before – it is played on the TV screens as it goes out, but I don’t watch it.

Chatting afterwards – it is clear that I have not stuffed up! That was my horror and my dread – to cock-up Question Time as the new LibDem MP on the first one after the election would have been mortifying.

A car takes myself and the Tory writer Jo-Anne Nadler back to London. Lots of text messages which were really great to get – and lots of phone calls. Home by 2.30am and straight to bed.

Goodbye Ken – Hello Tony

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So – I can kiss Ken goodbye – metaphorically speaking!

A little while back Ken said he hoped I would soon go to Parliament and therefore stop harassing him with my questions at Mayor’s Question Time.

Thursday’s election has delivered his wish and I will be stepping down from the GLA as soon as I have tied up a few loose ends. Whilst over the moon at the General Election result in Hornsey & Wood Green, I am very sad to leave the Assembly.

Being Chair of Transport and a member of the Metropolitan Police Authority has been such a privilege in terms of actually getting things done. It will be interesting to see how being an MP compares!

At this morning’s Mayor’s press conference, Ken announced he was putting up the fines for fare dodging from £10 (derisory) to £20 (a Lib Dem proposal). Together with his decision to stop the Congestion Charge at 6pm to help restaurants and theatres – two tributes to our proposals as a parting gift?

It’s all been a mad whirl, needless to say, since Thursday night. With a swing that size from Labour to Lib Dem (nearly 15%), the media have wanted their pound of flesh. But might as well enjoy it while I can.

Why such a big swing? Well, many reasons. It was partly down to the hard work of our team – and it was so good when putting together our leaflets to see that there were so many positive achievements to talk about. More prominently, people were also sending a message to Blair – like it is unacceptable to wage an illegal war on a false premise and that civil liberties in place since Magna Carta are pretty precious. And I don’t think it helped much the Government talking about choice in schools – when 140 sets of parents locally had all three of their ‘choices’ denied.

And what happens now? Well – I’ve been inducted, got my pass, and am busy trying to organise surgeries, deal with around eight hundred emails, letters, phone calls, set up an office, thank everyone, tackle shed loads more casework, masses of media – all brilliant things to be dealing with.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me and to say that I will serve all the residents of Hornsey & Wood Green to the best of my ability. I went to my first meeting as MP on Tuesday night – organised by Friends of Red Gables, who are trying to save this fantastic local family centre from closure by Haringey Council.

The passion in the room from local residents and users was moving in the extreme. This is a much-loved local centre – and the fact that it deals with children heightens the feelings and emotions all the more.

Two Labour councillors were at the meeting to try to explain the Council’s plans. Impressive they weren’t! They want to close it to make savings and are promising to redistribute the ‘services’ to new childrens’ centres elsewhere in the borough. But they couldn’t say what, where or when. And whilst they made notes of what the packed meetings said – they batted away question after question without an answer. They didn’t seem to understand that when parents are asking what will happen to services for their children – they want clear, specific answers, not vague promises that something might be provided at a time and place unknown.

I think that the Labour duo were shocked by the depth of feeling in that room. I hope they were. And I hope when they reflect on the incredible contributions from the people in that room that they find enough understanding to change their minds.

It was a good first meeting to attend as MP as it reminded me sharply how much there is to fight for – and that fighting for residents is what comes first.

First time in the chamber

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Go to City Hall for AGM of London Assembly – my vote is necessary to see Sally Hamwee safely into the Chair of the Assembly for the coming year. Other committees are set up and later I sign my letter of resignation from the Met Police Authority. (I’ll be standing down from the GLA in a couple of weeks once I’ve tided up various loose ends). Makes me very sad as I love the work I have been able to do on policing and my hope is that I will be able to carry it on at the Commons.

Am called to see Chief Whip at Commons who asks what experience I have and how I am getting along etc. The Chief Whip is Andrew Stunnell – who I shadowed at Parliament eight years ago before I was elected to anything – so he can take due credit!

Into chamber for first time to elect the Speaker of the House (although there is only Michael Martin standing). Nevertheless – clearly an occasion for speeches. I sat in the third row – and was very squished. Too many people for too few seats – and very, very noise. No doubt it will all become familiar in a relatively short time.

Then off for a briefing for Question Time. Everyone says ‘you’ll be fine’ – but I don’t know that or think it even possible at this point. Can’t wait for it to be over! Back to Commons for Parliamentary Party weekly meeting – interesting to see everyone. At least we are now a big enough party for me not to know everyone and then home – to emails and more emails.

Red Gables meeting

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Into City Hall for an interview with LBC and also attend Ken’s press conference. Final gift for me – Ken announces a rise in penalty fines for fare dodgers (a Lib Dem campaign) and the earlier finishing of the congestions charge in the evening (a Lib Dem campaign) – so Ken’s obviously a closet Lib Dem!

Rush over to Commons (doesn’t that sound funny) to try and get a computer and understand what and where everything is.

More briefings followed by more briefings and then off to constituency for a meeting at Red Gables – a fantastic family/children facility in Crouch End that Haringey Council is trying to close.

Two Labour councillors were at the meeting to try to explain the Council’s plans. Impressive they weren’t! They want to close it to make savings and are promising to redistribute the ‘services’ to new childrens’ centres elsewhere in the borough. But they couldn’t say what, where or when. And whilst they made notes of what the packed meetings said – they batted away question after question without an answer. They didn’t seem to understand that when parents are asking what will happen to services for their children – they want clear, specific answers, not vague promises that something might be provided at a time and place unknown.

I think that the Labour duo were shocked by the depth of feeling in that room. I hope they were. And I hope when they reflect on the incredible contributions from the people in that room that they find enough understanding to change their minds.

It was a good first meeting to attend as MP as it reminded me sharply how much there is to fight for – and that fighting for residents is what comes first.

New week, new job

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Phone does not stop ringing and I am desperately trying to get out the door to get to Westminster for various inductions for new MPs. I’m not complaining though. Interview after interview – the size of the swing in Hornsey and Wood Green seems to have taken much of the media by surprise.

Anyway – finally get our of the house at about midday and off to Westminster. First stop – Portcullis House (offices next door the Commons) to get registered, pass, finance office and hundreds of other things before the first briefing for new Lib Dem MPs.

Two hours of various briefings. Having promised not to overload us new kids on the block with too much information – we were then given too much information. They really tried – but it’s hard when there is so much new to tell us about.

The clear message was – sort your office and your casework out fast – otherwise you will get a backlog to die for and everyone will be cross. So that’s what I am doing and hope to have my first surgery set up for next week and all communications given a first response.

Then phone call from our press office – Question Time have phoned to request I go on the program this week. Now I’ll feel anxious until it’s over.

Then go to meet whole Parliamentary Party and be addressed by Charles K at Local Government Association. Good address followed by photo call for new MPs with the leader. I am placed next to Charles. I have noticed that is where I am positioned a lot at the moment – so the party is clearly pleased with my result!

Then finally get home to try to conquer the thousand emails that have arrived.

Saturday

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Interestingly enough – lots of people who had voted Labour came up to me yesterday and today and said how glad they were that I had won. Funny really – the pull of a lifetime of Labour support or fears whipped up by Labour that the Tories would somehow win if they voted Lib Dem had meant some had actually stuck with Labour – but it was quite clear that they were absolutely delighted that even though they hadn’t voted for me – I had won.

A day of flowers, cards and emails (around 500) of congratulations. Of trying to thank everyone, clearing up and in the end I crash out on the sofa watching a DVD with the kids…

How polling day went

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Polling day begins at 4am meeting in M & S car park to doll out our ‘Good Morning’ leaflets to bleary-eyed volunteers. I am amazed by the turnout. We have never tried to do a Good Morning leaflet constituency-wide before and we worked out to deliver it all in three hours we would need at least 150 people. We didn’t quite make it – but jolly nearly.

After I finish my own delivery I take a car boot full of Crouch End leaflets to HQ for Monica to give to anyone who comes free. As I depart Hornsey a bloke in the street says ‘Oy Lynne! I’m voting for you – gonna give you lot a chance. Fed up with the other two’.

And so the day went, knocking on doors and lots of cheery greetings – fantastic atmosphere. Funniest thing was that I met quite a few residents who said they had voted Labour but that they wanted me to win! Clearly tapped into the schizophrenia that has grabbed Labour (and the Guardian) between wanting to send Blair a message and having been got at by the Labour spin of vote Lib Dem let a Tory in. No chance in my view – but can well understand the nightmare vision of Michael Howard as PM.

Lots and lots of ‘good lucks’, ‘I’m voting for you’ and waves, hoots and shouted greetings as I go out and about knocking up. Don’t know how much you can read into such things – but atmosphere all very, very positive.

An Observer journalist comes to interview me whilst I am banging on doors in Cranley Gardens. I take a welcome break to talk to him. Nice guy – looks at me sceptically when I say I think we can win but that it is very close. I explain the background results over the last seven years that have made this even possible – and he says he will text me later when the result comes through.

More knocking and delivering around the constituency. Endless rounds of endless doors and endless leaflets. Day is uneventful. We hear that Labour are out in force in Woodside ward. My last knock up of the day is in Muswell Hill where it seems everyone virtually is voting Lib Dem – whether lifelong Lib Dems, Labour or Tory – all voting for us! Amazing.

As the polls close – everyone except me and my sister go off to Ally Pally to the count. I go home and watch the coverage on TV!

About 11.30pm my agent, Neil Williams, phones to say we’ve done it with a majority of between 2-3000. How sure? Pretty sure – although Labour apparently think they have squeaked it. Knowing my campaign manager who inputs the count tallies as each ballot box is open and verified – I know that the figures will be spot on.

As I go back into the lounge Dimbleby is just saying that it looks like Hornsey & Wood Green has gone.

I get the call to go to the count about 1.30am and off we go. A reception of Lib Dems, cameras and journalists – cheers and happiness all-round. In the count room it is silent and waiting for the official figures.

Eventually the Chief Exec calls agents and candidates to the table and gives us the result – and it’s official.

We go through for the announcements – and the speeches. And then – Lib Dems back to my house for a bit of a celebration. Although the hallway is packed out with people celebrating when ITV comes to film, it’s only a tiny proportion of those who have helped elect me – our 300+ strong team of volunteer deliverers who do their own street, the 700-odd people who have donated in the last year, my 15 colleagues in the Lib Dem council group, the list goes on … not to mention the most important group – the many thousands of people who voted for me.

I gave a little speech – and finally thanked my campaign manager Mark (a genius) and my agent Neil (equally brilliant). They are extraordinary – both of them – and together with a team of activists and helpers that most candidates can only dream of – we did it!

I had had it by 5am and went to bed leaving about 20 or 30 happy but wrecked Lib Dems downstairs. It was a fantastic result.

NEW MP HITS THE GROUND RUNNING ON KEY CAMPAIGNS

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Lynne Featherstone has said that important local issues will be her priority in the coming weeks, as she gets down to work as Hornsey and Wood Green’s new Member of Parliament.

Lynne is to attend her first meeting her 61 colleagues in the enlarged Lib Dem Parliamentary party at Westminster today. She has said that schools, mobile phone masts, the future of Hornsey Town Hall and the Red Gables centre are her immediate local concerns.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“Although the phone has not stopped ringing and the result is still sinking in, there are important local issues that need immediate attention.

“I will be pressing for a retreat from Haringey Council over the controversial plans to close the Red Gables family health Centre in Crouch End.

“I will work to get the law changed so that residents get a proper say on mobile phone mast applications in future.

“I also want to bring all sides together over the future of Hornsey Town Hall, and will be pressing Haringey Council for a ten-year plan of action to properly address the school places problem, in the borough.”

HORNSEY AND WOOD GREEN – LIB DEMS CELEBRATE HISTORIC RESULT

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Lynne Featherstone and Haringey’s Liberal Democrats have been celebrating their extraordinary win in the general election on Thursday.However they did not have a complete break from campaigning, as Ms Featherstone’s campaign team got together to stuff over 1,000 invitations to a thank you party for all those who had helped throughout the campaign – and to work their way through the hundred of messages of congratulations pouring in.

Lynne Featherstone’s 15% swing was one of the big stories of election night – and was one of the largest swings to any candidate in the country.The area has not had a Liberal or Lib Dem MP since the early 20th century. The result confirms the Tories as ‘also-rans’ in the area with a sharp drop in the vote for their candidate.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“I am still stunned by our success, and offer my heartfelt thanks to all the local people who have given us their support in this election. There is a great deal of work to do. I will be a hard-working MP in tune with the concerns of local people.”

Lib Dem Council Group Leader Neil Williams adds:

“This result is the culmination of ten years of hard work by Lynne and the local team. It is also very good news for the team on the Council. The results clearly show we are on course to gain seats in areas such as Wood Green at the next council elections, where there is a very real prospect of Labour losing control of the Haringey Council.”