22nd October – It’s the big day

Off in the afternoon to Central Hall for lunch of the scheme. Note to self, do not be late. Nice touch before I located Central Hall. A young black concierge was standing outside Westminster Hall and when I asked for directions, asked me where so many BAME women were going. When I informed, he said he was proud and would make a welcome change to the usual scenery one saw around Westminster, so vote of thanks to the Government Equalities Office (GEO) for getting this off the ground.

Event, excellent, the great and the good of BAME and non BAME politics attended. My favourite moment was meeting Baroness Scotland and several attendees assuming I was already a Councillor. I was right to apply then. Met lots of other successful candidates and we agreed to network and monitor/support each other’s progression.

13th November

Informed who my Councillor mentor will be, councillor Lincoln Beswick; a Labour councillor since 1962 and a key lieutenant of Dawn Butler, Minister and MP for Brent South. Contacted Councillor Beswick who informed me, call me Lincoln, and then invited me to attend their Labour Party Meeting being the following Monday. Starting well!

16th November

Meet Lincoln and he gives me the grand tour of Brent Council. Have been there before for numerous health/social care meetings, but for the first time go into the Council chambers. Very austere, but every inch the modern impressive, functionary committee room. Lincoln informs me of the rules, regulations and processes, who sits where, who talks, who proposes. Very process driven, but I do like my pomp and splendour. Meet other Councillors from my area, Councillor Janice Long, Harlesden, Councillor Leslie Jones, Willesden and Councillor Mary Arnold, Kilburn. Mary asks me to meet with her for lunch as she has a proposal, mmm intriguing. At meeting told there would be a full Council pre budget meeting the following week, but Labour would be boycotting, with apologies as Lincoln is chief Whip, so we can go out and canvas. Plotting and political machinations already, marvellous.

22nd November

Went and leafleted for the Willesden Branch. Very professionally produced leaflet. No more black and white flimsies.

23rd November – Full Council meeting

I am shown to my appropriate seat, not the one where the spouse of the Mayor sits, two down. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor glide in in full regalia. He announces the proceedings for the evening at which point Lincoln announces the apologies and we leave. Still waiting to attend a full council meeting, but it will come. Went out canvassing, great knocking on the great British doorstep. Most people are welcoming and sorry we are out in the cold, but rewarding listening to the wide range of subjects concerning people at grass roots level.

26th November

Meeting councillor Mary Arnold, she suggests I may wish to be nominated for her seat as there are no willing labour candidates for this safe labour seat! She will keep in touch, but to keep the 19th December free for canvassing leafleting in Kilburn Square with Glenda Jackson MP (Note to self, do not ask for autograph and do not compare her Cleopatra with Elizabeth Taylor’s).

27th November

Receive details from Francine Fernandes of ‘virtual’ shadow Councillor, Sherma Batson. I call her and find out she is based in Hertfordshire and going for selection as a labour candidate for Luton south. Even better, joy, oh joy, her daughter works in Brent, so travel to see me at my workplace prior to meeting her 17th December. Hurrah.

3rd December

Received personal invite from Dawn Butler MP to attend her Labour Friends of the Caribbean Launch (no Johnny Depp unfortunately). Jubilee room, Palace of Westminster. Dawn looked radiant, met Paul Boatang, Bill Morris, Glenys Kinnock, MEP, David Lamy MP and Levi Roots. My friend won his hamper in the raffle. Would she swap tickets as my honoured guest, NO. Home happily warmed by lovely rum cocktails and tales of greater partnership working. I signed on the dotted line, so let’s see what this brings.

4th December

Attend my first Labour Branch party meeting for the Harlesden ward. Voted in key officers, but two key officer posts still to be filled, so agreed would have AGM in early January to get last officers. Rumours abound election will be in early March. Fortunately, I do not bet.

9th December

Willesden Labour Branch Christmas dinner. Met my local branch. Nice bunch of people. All keen. Will join as a delegate methinks to go on the general or executive council. So many different committees. A minefield.

11th December

Invited to attend a fundraiser with Lincoln at one of the community centres in Harlesden. Raises money for sickle cell and report on the successful project to get young people involved in environmental issues and their environment in particular. ‘REDUCE – REUSE – RECYCLE’ was the theme and it was pleasing to see the community getting together to keep their environment clean and reduce waste. I was then asked to hand out some prizes, spoke on local radio about the scheme and the event. Had picture taken for local press.

17th December

Met with Sherma Batson who gave me valuable insight into the mechanics of gaining election to the Council. She is a member of the County Council and has been shortlisted as a Labour candidate.

19th December

Kilburn High Street canvassing with Glenda Jackson MP and Councillor Mary Arnold. Its freezing and we are competing with the Church of God for the attention of passers by. Better singers, but I did get rid of all my leaflets and sign up 11 people to the cause. Not bad for a first timer. They all think I’m a veteran. Mary states we will meet after Christmas to discuss her seat and my candidacy. Glenda is great. Really knows her politics and still in show business. Watch out for her in a video with Fergie (Black Eyed Peas). She invited me to her branch Christmas dinner, Hampstead, but it clashed with one of my teams, so perhaps next year.

It has been exciting and rewarding thus far and I’m really pleased I decided to put my money where my mouth is and apply for the scheme. Hopefully by this time next year, I too will have achieved my objective to be a councillor and really take forward the residents agenda. Expenses scandal, let’s move on.