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The two party system
Dec. 8th, 2019 01:02 pmOn Friday I went to not one but two (sort-of) parties: anyone would think that Christmas began on the feast of St Nicholas (as in some places it does, but not around here, and I don't think either host was aware of the significance of that date).
First, local residents were invited to an open afternoon and drinks reception at John Snow College (currently occupying the development on the County Hospital site): I misinterpreted the invitation as more of an informal, just drop in, event than was apparently intended, so I missed much of the introductory chat, but I was in time for the tour of the old building, and how it has been adapted as student accommodation. This wasn't what local residents had wanted for the site, but it has been nicely done, the management company have been good neighbours, and the college who have been there temporarily this year even better. So the small group of residents who turned up were able to say quite sincerely that we will miss John Snow when they more on, and to drink their tea (and eat their mince pies, though I was good, and didn't) with a clear conscience.
After this I went straight up the hill to the Miners' Hall, and pre-Christmas drinks with our departing MP, Roberta Blackman Woods. In previous years this has taken place in the corridor outside Roberta's office, squeezing into the tiny kitchen when the crush became too great. This year, perhaps because it was Roberta's farewell, we were in the panelled splendour of the board room, where the 'no drinks' rule had been relaxed to allow us to drink wine (out of actual glasses) though not to mull it first.
So this was another case of 'we're going to miss you', and with more immediate effect. It was a predominantly Labour Party gathering, of course, though there were many people I knew and could talk to, and although several people mentioned that they had been out canvassing, the atmosphere was surprisingly free of election fever. The Liberal Democrats seem to see the constituency as winnable, and are leafleting at a pitch that makes me wonder where the money is coming from (not to mention how they are keeping within permitted limits) but Labour point to the 2017 results (the LibDems came third, with 10% of the vote), and seem confident. We'll find out soon enough.
Meanwhile, that's the festive season launched: time to start writing cards!
First, local residents were invited to an open afternoon and drinks reception at John Snow College (currently occupying the development on the County Hospital site): I misinterpreted the invitation as more of an informal, just drop in, event than was apparently intended, so I missed much of the introductory chat, but I was in time for the tour of the old building, and how it has been adapted as student accommodation. This wasn't what local residents had wanted for the site, but it has been nicely done, the management company have been good neighbours, and the college who have been there temporarily this year even better. So the small group of residents who turned up were able to say quite sincerely that we will miss John Snow when they more on, and to drink their tea (and eat their mince pies, though I was good, and didn't) with a clear conscience.
After this I went straight up the hill to the Miners' Hall, and pre-Christmas drinks with our departing MP, Roberta Blackman Woods. In previous years this has taken place in the corridor outside Roberta's office, squeezing into the tiny kitchen when the crush became too great. This year, perhaps because it was Roberta's farewell, we were in the panelled splendour of the board room, where the 'no drinks' rule had been relaxed to allow us to drink wine (out of actual glasses) though not to mull it first.
So this was another case of 'we're going to miss you', and with more immediate effect. It was a predominantly Labour Party gathering, of course, though there were many people I knew and could talk to, and although several people mentioned that they had been out canvassing, the atmosphere was surprisingly free of election fever. The Liberal Democrats seem to see the constituency as winnable, and are leafleting at a pitch that makes me wonder where the money is coming from (not to mention how they are keeping within permitted limits) but Labour point to the 2017 results (the LibDems came third, with 10% of the vote), and seem confident. We'll find out soon enough.
Meanwhile, that's the festive season launched: time to start writing cards!
