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Last Monday saw the last hustings in Westminster North before the General Election this Thursday. Westminster North CLP Women’s Officer, Josephine Ohene-Djan, was there. Here she gives her account of the evening and why the choice in Westminster North is clearer now than ever…

The evening was pleasantly mild with a slight breeze as we assembled at the entrance to the Emmanuel Church on the Harrow Road W9.

An atmosphere which would be changed by the whirlwind of opinions and policies expressed during the hustings that followed.

This was an opportunity for our Prospective Parliamentary Candidates to persuade us to enable them to represent our needs in the nation’s parliament.

The locals chatted amiably as we proceeded to the meeting hall, some presenting hastily written questions for the speakers in the 15 minutes allotted for submissions. Expectations grew, the hall was over-flowing with locals eager to participate and discuss answers to their concerns.

We were not disappointed. Chaired by a Reverend, candidates introduced themselves as Karen Buck (MP) Labour Party, Joanne Cash Conservative Party, Mark Blackburn Liberal Democrats and Jasna Badzak of the United Kingdom Independence Party.

We heard pledges of commitment to our community.

Karen Buck had fresh ideas to add to years of experience and a continuity which appealed to those who might prefer such security. Sure Start was popular, community policing, various expenditures relating to academies and housing improvements, a testimony to the loyal service of her community.

She handled the discussions in a professional and compassionate manner showing a confidence which, hopefully, would secure her votes.

The main challenger Joanne Cash seemed to be comparatively unattached to the whole process to the point of needing a young man and woman, sat in the second row, to prompt her so vigorously that it was noticed by most of the room.

Her obvious lack of preparation and almost constant reference to a composite of policies in a little book before she attempted to display any advocacy skills was set upon. For, as she told the meeting she that was a trained barrister, a voiciferos local commented “Well you’re not very good at it!”

Mark Blackburn began most of his replies alluding in agreement to Karen Buck’s comments, after which he tried to play the trump cards of a lower tax rate and re-scheduling access to nursery provision, amongst other suitably vague murmurs of good intent. Nothing new there then.

Jasna Badzak’s attempts to be-little community policing was derided due to an absurd interpretation of her statistics on crime reduction targets and the rest, as they say, is history.

Most people could see who had come out of the hustings the winner, who had the ideas, the ability and the experience to get the job done. Now all that’s left is for people to make their decision and vote!

Labour Councillors have called for big improvements to the 18 bus service because of regular overcrowding between Baker Street, all along the Marylebone Road and Harrow Road to Queen’s Park and beyond.

In addition to the regular overcrowding at peak times, there is often bunching of buses on the Harrow Road section and many passengers are often not able to board the first bus that arrives because they are completely full. This is a particular problem at the Metropole Hotel and Royal Oak bus stops.

Labour Councillors are supporting calls for the introduction of an additional short route section in the peak period between Euston and the Prince of Wales junction and the introduction of a new peak hour ‘X18’ limited stop service along the busiest section on Harrow Road.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said;

“The 18 bus service needs big improvements so that people can get on the bus at peak times. The 18 bus is the route to work and back home for so many local residents. But because of the current poor service, particularly in the evenings, passengers are crushed like sardines in a can at present. So far Boris Johnson has done very little to improve this service despite being in power for two years. It is now time for action”