| Author |
Message |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Monday, 25 April, 2005 - 01:23 pm: | |
Following on from the sugject of watching paint dry, the lack of excitement around here has been confirmed. From the BBC website election coverage:
Lewisham West and neighbouring Lewisham East have both been marginal seats, moving together between Conservative and Labour in 1983 and 1992. Traditionally, West was extremely marginal: it changed hands before that in 1974, 1970, 1966, 1950 and 1945. Its present MP is Labour former government Whip, Jim Dowd. In his maiden speech to the Commons he called it "a fairly anonymous part of inner suburban London". And it is the most suburban of the three Lewisham seats, centred round Forest Hill, Sydenham and Catford. At the southern end it borders leafy Bromley and Beckenham, while to the north it is hard up against inner city Deptford. Socially and economically, however, it is mixed. Two-thirds of the population are white but it is in the top ten of constituencies with the largest Chinese community. It also ranks third highest in the list of those who commute to work by train. Household tenure is divided almost equally between flats and housing and between renting and ownership - just under a quarter are council tenants. The boundary commission proposals are to form a cross-borough boundary constituency with parts of Bromley to make Lewisham West and Penge. |
Elizabeth25
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 25 April, 2005 - 04:54 pm: | |
I saw Jim Dowd campaigning around Forest Hill on Saturday. How dare he look down his nose at Forest Hill and then shout out from a loud speaker "to remember to vote Labour". I wish I could use a word not allowed on SE23.com! |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Monday, 25 April, 2005 - 05:05 pm: | |
Well he is obviously an anonymous person himself having chosen to settle just over the road from me in a particularly leafy part of the constituency. Could do with a local pub though Mr Dowd if you are tuned in. |
Adam
Joined 08-01-2003
| | Posted on Monday, 25 April, 2005 - 05:22 pm: | |
Elizabeth25, how do you come to the conclusion 'how dare he look down his nose at Forest Hill' ? i'd be interested to hear |
Ophelia
Joined 18-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 - 09:52 am: | |
Does Baggydave want a pub in Westwood Park or does he want Jim to reopen the MPT? |
Elizabeth25
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 - 10:23 am: | |
Well, Adam, using the phrase "a fairly anonymous part of inner suburban London" suggessted to me that Dowd is a little disappointed with having Forest Hill as a constituancy. If you are going to represent the people, please be a little more enthusuastic about it. Instead of implying "well, we're not Clapham...." |
Ophelia
Joined 18-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 - 10:48 am: | |
It does say that this phrase was used in his maiden speech - Jim was first elected in 1992 so that's presumably round about when he said this. I love living in Forest Hill but I find when you're trying so say where it is people who don't know London can place it when you say it's near Greenwich or just up the road from where Margaret Thatcher had a house. |
Adam
Joined 08-01-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 - 10:58 am: | |
Elizabeth
Forest Hill to many people is fairly anonymous, i've been asked before 'Forest where?' and 'Forest who', i've lived all over and its the same where-ever you go.
As Baggydave said, Jim lives in the constituency and has done for years. I would hardly think that after being the MP for 13 years I think his commitment to the area is second to none. Afterall it was him who put major pressure on Sainsburys to move forward with their store extension, the East London Line campaign has been on his agenda for decades, that is finally coming to the area. And along with Forest Hill pools going out to consultation to name a few, I don't think his commitment is in doubt.
That speech was made in 1992, its now 2005, look how much FH has come on since then. I'd think that his commitment cannot be questioned.
Hope that clarifies the situation. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 - 01:14 pm: | |
I think Mr Dowd has been quite a good MP , there have certainly been worse.
I regret he will not get my support this time. Not because of his actions but because our PM asked Adolf Livingstone to rejoin the party. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 - 01:14 pm: | |
I think Mr Dowd has been quite a good MP , there have certainly been worse.
I regret he will not get my support this time. Not because of his actions but because our PM asked Adolf Livingstone to rejoin the party. |
Elizabeth25
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 - 02:56 pm: | |
Do you people work for Dowd? |
Adam
Joined 08-01-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 - 03:12 pm: | |
No, I'm just a Forest Hill resident who happens to have a vote during the election on May 5th, I think he has done much to bring prosperity to the area and bring it up to the modern day, for all the reasons listed above and that deserves to continue. Afterall it's us all who really benefit. |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 - 04:00 pm: | |
Oh goody, light hearted banter.
Our Jim has been surprisingly quiet on the subject of lack of pubs in the area. A man of such good taste to live up the road from me must surely enjoy a pint or two in an old fashioned boozer - I'll write to him straight away. |
Elizabeth25
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 - 06:52 pm: | |
I'm sorry I was going to let this slide, but I can't. Aren't MP's required to have a residence in the consituancy they represent? How is that a sign of Dowd's commitment? As for prosperity, most London suburbs, not just Forest Hill, have gone through a gentrification over the past decade. However, I would hardly call the litter of empty stores on Dartmouth rd prosperous. Was the East London line Dowd's pet project, or was it just something he voted for? The Sainsbury's extension is going ahead, but look how long it took? Don't get me wrong, I am someone who likes living in Forest Hill. It is a million miles away from Hackney, where I used to live, and its problems. And I am sure Jim Dowd is a wonderful person, who helps old ladies across the street and is kind to puppies. But I am sorry, the reasons given do not "clarify" for me why Jim Dowd is a great MP. |
Megan
Joined 05-03-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 - 10:12 pm: | |
to be honest I'm really not a fan of labour Tony Blair has done nothing for our country in my opinion and as goes Jim Dowd, I'm sure
Sainsbury were pushing the go ahead of there re-development without the help of Jim Dowd as I'm sure pound signs work really well for them!!! I am still unsure who to vote for but it certainly won't be Labour and I agree with Brian Mr Blair let Ken Livingston re-join, and I'm definately not a fan of Ken!!!! |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 - 11:35 pm: | |
Mr Dowd was very helpful to us several years ago on a personal matter but when I broached him on the Crystal Palace campaign (one of my old hobby horses) he sat on the fence - and I told him that rather than exposing him through a web site. My original posting was mischievious, but pleased that it got things moving on the web site, but I was going to rush to Elizabeth's help following some uncalled for stick from Adam (has the Prozac run out or are you just easily wound up?) glad she can look after herself. |
Bt
Joined 27-07-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, 27 April, 2005 - 08:06 am: | |
I agree that Forest Hill is 'anonymous'. When I say I live in Forest Hill most people automatically think 'Forest Gate', and when I correct them I have to explain that Forest Hill is near Catford or Crystal Palace or Dulwich and then I get a glimmer of understanding, but even then I'm not always sure that they really know quite where we are. |
Ophelia
Joined 18-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 27 April, 2005 - 10:21 am: | |
Elizabeth - See above, from Adam on 26 April. Jim does live in his constituency - just up the road it would appear from Baggiedave. There is no requirement for MPs to live in their constituency. So what's your real problem apart from not wanting to vote for him? |
Elizabeth25
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 27 April, 2005 - 08:13 pm: | |
Ok, Jim Dowd fan club, listen up. An MP is REQUIRED to have a residence in his constituency. It is not like Jim Dowd is an MP from some little hamlet in the outer Hebrides and ownes a tiny little cottage on a windslept island that he never visits and lives in London, where he works. His constutuancy and his work are located in London. So I add, having a London MP live in his London constituancy isn't exactly amazing behaviour.
That said, I do not care one way or another how people vote. Go ahead vote for Dowd, keep him serving away for Forest Hill for another decade.
I was merely annoyned that his maiden speech implied to me that he was looking down his nose at Forest Hill. Combined with his load speaker compaign to "remember to vote Labour" this rubbed me the wrong way.
Obviously, I could not anticipate the waves of love for, what surly must be, the greatest MP London has ever seen.
Saying that, the fan club defence of the right hounorable Jim Dowd has failed to convince me of his superior governing skills. |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 27 April, 2005 - 11:34 pm: | |
I always get a prompt reply from Jim Dowd whenever I write to him. This is invariably followed up by a copy of the reply he has received from the relevant minister. |
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, 27 April, 2005 - 11:43 pm: | |
I can't say Jim Dowd is a particularly high profile MP...anonymous, even!
What has he been up to then?
His attendance is reasonable at 86.5% of votes (though this sort of level for most of us at work would in dismissal, or if at school a letter to the parents, I guess) though interestingly has declined from 94.8% in his last term. Getting bored, Jim? Interest flagging?
He's quite an obedient chap and tends to go along with Tony. His only rebellions (1% of votes) have been on such interesting matters as mileage allowances and parliamentary pensions, which appears to suggest:
i) he supported the war in Iraq
ii) he dissents mainly on matters of direct personal interest or benefit.
Check out http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?firstname=Jim& lastname=Dowd&constituency=Lewisham+West |
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, 27 April, 2005 - 11:50 pm: | |
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/jim_dowd/lewisham _west
More stuff of interest. It appears 86.5% attendance is good going in the Commons. Well done Jim! |
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, 27 April, 2005 - 11:54 pm: | |
I'm feeling all political...results last time:
-1081%2C00.html,http://politics.guardian.co.uk/hoc /constituency/0,,-1081,00.html
Bad news Tory and Lib Dem folk; it looks like our Jim is nicely ensconced. |
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, 27 April, 2005 - 11:56 pm: | |
Something awry between pasting and posting. Paste and delete the part before http. |
Bosco
Joined 16-07-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 28 April, 2005 - 09:51 am: | |
Elizabeth - I am not bolstering the Jim Dowd fan club here but to call an area "anonymous" is hardly looking down one's nose. It's a neutral comment and moreover it was made over 10 years ago! It's no more controversial than calling a village in Surrey "sleepy".
Anonymous is not an adjective that could be applied to Brixton or Hackney - doesn't mean you'd want to live there! |
Michael
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 28 April, 2005 - 01:21 pm: | |
The reason why Jim Dowd always votes with the government and has a very good attendance record is that he is a government whip. It is his job to enforce voting for the government line by Labour MPs.
It is quite amusing to compare his alleged support for Sainsbury's expansion, which left London Road with many empty shop for years, with his chairmanship of the 'All-Party Parliamentary Group for Small Shops' - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmpart y/050211/memi394.htm
And his early day motion 1248:
That this House recognises the importance of diversity and consumer choice in grocery shopping now and in the future, especially the strong tradition of independently run local grocers and convenience stores; recognises that ongoing acquisitions and consolidation in the grocery market led by the major supermarket groups threatens that choice, diversity and tradition; further recognises the work undertaken by the various trade associations on behalf of small retailers to highlight these implications; and calls on the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to undertake a full review of the implications of consolidation and introduce measures that would safeguard choice in local shopping for future generations.
Text from: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmedm/ 41117e01.htm
I am sure that the two opinions are not completely diametrically opposed, but perhaps next time somebody sees him they could ask how he finds it possible to support both positions.
In the last election he got over 60% of the vote, with the Conservatives down to 22%. There is no chance of him loosing in this election. |
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 28 April, 2005 - 04:57 pm: | |
Seems to be be quite a sinecure...what do you reckon you would have to do to be un-elected or de-selected - short of carying on with Cherie or soemthing - given that e.g. supporting the despatch of expeditionary forces to engage in illegal warfare won't even do it?
Can I do it when Jim retires? |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 28 April, 2005 - 05:21 pm: | |
Michael - interesting stuff. I was going to apologise for starting this thread particularly as some people have got on their soap boxes (bit of humour goes a long way guys) but it is beginning to bear fruit - whether through an independent green grocer or at our nearby supermarket is uncertain. I said Mr Dowd sat on the fence with regards to the Crystal Palace development, that would have brought the chain stores/restaurants to a nearby area probably at the expence of the indie restaurants just up the road. Your comments help explain his postion.
Continuing on the theme of balance he was also helpful when I was criticising the train operating companies, particularly Thameslink for the lack of London Bridge services to Kings Cross in the mornings. Think he'd laid the boot into Connex (RIP) already.
I wonder if he'd prefer a Hogshead/Wotherspoons or Yates in my area or a truly independent boozer. Won't get my hopes up. |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 28 April, 2005 - 05:22 pm: | |
What carry on with Cherie, Hiltop? Ho ho |
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 28 April, 2005 - 10:10 pm: | |
Do you not reckon that would be the best way of getting binned? Seeing as they don't seem to mind if you turn up or not, etc? |
Roz
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 29 April, 2005 - 12:16 pm: | |
See my latest post on ' Election- Lewisham West' which summarises my own personal experiences. |
Councillorsusanwise
Joined 20-03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 29 April, 2005 - 04:40 pm: | |
Michael, Jim Dowd has not been a Labour Party Government Whip for some time. |
Loneranger
Joined 29-10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 29 September, 2006 - 11:32 pm: | |
Considering Tony's joke about Cherie and Gordon, parts of this thread are strangely topical? |
Fanboy_mark
Joined 08-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 04 October, 2006 - 11:55 am: | |
I quite like the fact that Dowd tried to punch a man in the commons.
I have a lot of time for MPs fighting each other. It should be on pay per view. |
