Meet North East London CSI candidates

(L-R) Myself, Andrew Charamboulos, Simon Nayor and Elizabeth

Richard Bunting, Neil Lindsay, Antonia Cox & Martin Koder

Elizabeth and Adrian Berrill-Cox

So on the last night of conference we went for a drink and met up with the CSI candidates, they're a relaly great bunch and I think it will be very hard to choose but it does make you feel very popular.

Here's how it works:

Islington, although it is one association, covers two constituencies and is part of the wider North-London Area. The City Seats Initiative was trialled at the 2005 election in Sheffield and Liverpool and has been extended and we part of one of the regions.

As it goes we have a fluid list of approximatly 15 candidates chosen by the candidates department at CCHQ and people can be added and taken away at all times. The CSI candidates will campaign/canvas en masse until the selection early next year according to an approved schedule, co-ordinated across the area.

Early next year we will hold a traditional selection in our Association but it might be a little like the US primaries with each association accross the area wanting to get first selection! Once each constituency has a candidate they will then focus on their consituency alone but once a week they will have a special session in each constituency in turn when all the candidates from across the area will go and help.

This is particularly useful in constituencies where the association is either very small or very inactive or both or even non-existent.

We of course, as you can tell, are quite busy but in my opinion it will be great to build up a relationship with these CSIers who are amazing High fliers and as Islington South & Finsbury could swing any way it could mean we get some excellent canvassing data.

So the piccies from the first formal meet up!

CF 10 years Party

Last night Elizabeth and I joined everybody to celebrate 10 years of CF, it was a massive party and the wine was flowing...

Will blog about this later as have to dash back into the ICC,

The conference hall

As you can see it's really busy here and there is lots to do!

Just arrived in Birmingham

Arrived not long ago, here is a pic of our city centre apartment. A great way to save money and smart too! Only problem is the kettle doesn't work, off to fix that soon then to the icc to collect my pass.



Say what you like about fingerprint but I had problems with my verification as I have only recently moved house. I was contacted by a kind and very helpful policeman who had to wait for me to return from France and the get my council tax signed over to my new address (it was previously in my landlord's name). He must have only received it last Tuesday and yet I was sent a text to my mobile on friday informing me my pass could be collected here. Barring the probable queues I have had a very positive experience with fingerprint and the police. Though from the horror stories I have heard I maybe the only one...

update: no queue to get my pass... straight in!