Campaigns

Joanne's Campaigns

'Safer Neighbourhoods' Campaign

Joanne is committed to working with the people of Westminster North in order to make their constituency a safer and better place to live. She has engaged in a process of consultation throughout the area and concluded that the rising levels of crime need to be addressed.

Joanne's 'Safer Neighbourhoods' Campaign

Making Westminster North a Safer, Better Place to Live

Joanne supports a number of charities and organisations throughout Westminster North who work to provide opportunities within a structured environment for many of our local residents.

Joanne's Social Action Campaign

Securing High Quality Health Services for the People of Westminster North

Joanne is keenly aware that the provision of quality health care is under threat in many parts of Westminster North and she is working with patients’ groups and medical practitioners to ensure that our most vulnerable residents are not denied access to fundamental services.

Joanne's Health Campaign

Working to Save Our Post Offices

Joanne is concerned that, under Labour, 20% of Westminster’s Post Offices have been forced to close or relocate since 2003, and the Post Office on Harrow Road is now also under threat.

Joanne's Post Offices Campaign

Joanne Cash Backs Calls for a Referendum on the EU Constitution

Joanne has joined hundreds of thousands of citizens in signing the Daily Telegraph, the Sun and the ‘I want a referendum’ campaign’s petitions demanding that Gordon Brown upholds Labour’s manifesto pledge to hold a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty.

Joanne's Campaign for a Referendum on the EU Reform Treaty

Improving Standards of Literacy Throughout Westminster North

Joanne is deeply concerned by the number of children leaving primary school without even the most basic literacy skills both in Westminster North and throughout the country. This online literacy campaign reflects her determination to work with the residents of Westminster North, to ensure that they are given every opportunity to equip themselves with the necessary reading skills to fully realise their potential.

Joanne's Literacy Campaign

Consulting to Improve and Extend Childcare Provision in Westminster North

Joanne’s childcare consultation sets out to tackle five core childcare challenges in Westminster North: the level of information available to parents about childcare facilities, the amount of affordable childcare in the constituency, the standards of existing childcare facilities, the resource requirements of these facilities and the ease of access for children and parents to them.

Joanne's Childcare Consultation

I have recently launched STEP UP, a social action programme, to help state educated pupils in Westminster North achieve greater levels of success in their university applications.

Despite this government’s attempts to widen participation in Higher Education, state educated students continue to encounter difficulties when applying to top universities.

The application process can be daunting. Step Up offers a wide range of practical advice with UCAS applications as well as specialised training designed to boost students' presentation and communication skills.

Our team are recent graduates with direct experience of the application processes.

We are always looking for more volunteers: if you wish to join us and participate in this project, as a mentor or as a student, please do not hesitate to contact Joanne at joanne@step-up.me or call 020 7625 3805and ask for James Abbott.

Help Save the Formosa Street Post Office

It is incredibly disappointing that the Lisson Grove and Harrow Road post offices in Westminster North are set to close.

Even more reason why, in the last two weeks of the Formosa Street consultation, we must keep up our fight to save this post office.

I would urge everyone to put in writing the reasons why this branch must remain open and to send their representations to the following people:

Mrs Anita Turner                                          Mr Terry Stafford
Network Development Manager                     Postwatch
Post Office Ltd                                            28 Grosvenor Gardens
c/o National Consultation Team                    London
FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM                  SW1W 0TT
consultation@postoffice.co.uk                      REF 458/437
                                                                  info@postwatch.co.uk

Encouragingly, 7 of London's post offices are to be saved following the public consultation period. It is clear from these successful campaigns that we must highlight the positive attributes of the Formosa Street post office as well as the inadequacies of the alternative branches (Kilburn Park and Edgware Road).

When writing to the Network Change Team, it is worth considering the following points:

-       How much further will you have to travel?
-       How long is the queue at the alternative branches?
-       Are there any issues with access, either for disabled people or those with young children?
-       Are there adequate public transport links and/or car parking facilities?
-       What other facilities exist in the area surrounding the alternative branches?
-       Do you have to cross any main roads?
-       Will the closure of Formosa Street result in you using the post office less?

A Special Request

The Post Office Network Change team claim that the Edgware Road post office has the capacity to absorb an increase in customer levels, I disagree.

There are often long queues at this branch and, given that Edgware Road has also been proposed as an alternative branch for customers of the (soon to be closed) Lisson Grove Post Office, this situation will only get worse.

It is important to convey just how overwhelmed the Edgware Road post office is at present, never-mind when thousands of additional customers are forced to use it.

In the coming weeks, I would ask that people try to use the Edgware Road branch (however inconvenient this may be) and take note of the time and date of the visit as well as the length of queue and quality of service encountered. This information can be used to demonstrate that Edgware Road is utterly unacceptable as an alternative branch for customers of the Formosa Street Post Office.

To report your findings in confidence, please contact my office on 020 7625 3805 or email me at joanne@westminsternorthconservatives.com

I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Sayeeda Warsi Visits Community Groups in Westminster North

Above - Visiting the London Tigers with Baroness Warsi

Baroness Warsi, the Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action, yesterday spent the afternoon visiting a number of community projects across Westminster North with Joanne.

The Conservative politicians visited the London Tigers in Church Street and Real Action's Learning Store in Queen's Park to discuss their community projects and the ways in which they promote interaction between different groups in the local area.

Joanne commented:

"It was a great privilege to welcome Baroness Warsi to Westminster North.

"This constituency is home to an extremely diverse population with over 100 languages spoken in our schools.

"There are a number of organisations in Westminster North that offer inclusive, community-led programmes and that provide positive opportunities for people of all ethnicities.

"Programmes such as these transcend traditional cultural barriers and encourage genuine social interaction between different communities. I look forward to working with Baroness Warsi in the coming months and years to ensure that they are given the support they deserve."

Above - Adult literacy classes at Real Action's Learning Store

The Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action added:

"In areas with high levels of ethnic diversity and high population turnovers, such as Westminster North, cohesion within the community is vital because it helps to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and drives social mobility upwards.

"Under this government, there is a worrying trend that young people appear to be integrating less well than their parents and, if this trend continues, we could end up with a country more divided and segregated than ever before.

"It is encouraging to see social action projects in Westminster North helping to develop greater levels of cultural understanding amongst local residents.

"The good work of these organisations must not go unrewarded; I am responsible for ensuring that, under the next Conservative government, funding is available to build upon the achievements of those in the voluntary sector and that every citizen has an equal opportunity to fulfil their potential."

Boris, Joanne and Shaun Bailey host a forum in Queen’s Park to discuss knife crime amongst teenagers in the area

- Two teenagers stabbed, one fatally, in less than three weeks in Westminster North
- If elected London Mayor, Boris pledges to lead the fight against gun and knife crime
- Joanne Cash believes that violent crime amongst teenagers should at the top of the political agenda
- Shaun Bailey backs Boris’ support for voluntary organisations

Last night, the Conservative Candidate for London Mayor, Boris Johnson, and Conservative Parliamentary Candidates, Joanne Cash and Shaun Bailey, hosted a forum in Queen’s Park to discuss the problem of violent crime amongst teenagers in the area.

The three Conservative politicians were speaking less than 24 hours after a teenager was stabbed in Westbourne. Although this attack was not fatal, it came less than three weeks after Amro Elbadawi, a fourteen year old boy, died from a single knife wound to the neck during a dispute with another teenager on the Mozart estate in Queen’s Park.

Joanne Cash was appalled by Ken Livingstone’s recent comments about violence amongst teenagers:

“Ken Livingstone has criticised the media for focusing on these events. He is wrong.

“There have been two stabbings in this constituency, and one young boy has lost his life, during the last three weeks. The more press coverage, the better; this issue has to be kept at the top of the political agenda.

“Some children carry a knife as a status symbol, to impress their friends, others believe it provides them with protection; very few intend to use it. Practically none of these teenagers will be aware that they are much more likely to be stabbed by their own knife than by someone else’s.

“It is the job of the mayor to lead the fight-back against violent crime; every Londoner has the right to walk our streets, to use our public transport and to enjoy our green spaces in confidence, and without fear of attack.

“Electing Boris Johnson as the Mayor of London on May 1st will be a massive step in the right direction.”

The Conservative Candidate for London Mayor, Boris Johnson said:

"After 10 years in Government and 8 years with Ken Livingstone as Mayor, with two weeks to go until London's elections, Labour have failed to address the serious issue of knife crime.

"Gun and knife crime has been blighting London's streets and we need fresh ideas to rid our communities of these weapons.

"Our current Labour leaders seem to be in a state of despair and Labour's lack of action on this issue in London has led to families unnecessarily losing loved ones. All Londoners have the chance on May 1st to vote for a change to help make their streets safer."

Shaun Bailey, who also heads the youth orientated charity My Generation, praised Boris’ crime manifesto:

“Boris understands the gravity of the situation that we are facing in London and his policies reflect that. A lot can be achieved by focusing on the smaller issues, such as anti-social behaviour on buses.
“Our children have to be educated about their responsibilities. They have to realise that their actions have consequences for both themselves and others.

“Boris’ pledge to provide support for the voluntary sector is absolutely vital if we are to win this fight.  There are many organisations experienced in dealing with deprived families and youth gangs and we have to make sure that we put their expertise to good use.”

Joanne and Boris Visit Real Action in Queen's Park

Boris Johnson, Kit Malthouse, and Joanne Cash, visited the charity Real Action in Queen's Park to discuss the level of support currently provided to voluntary sector programmes in central London.

Real Action provides literacy classes for both adults and children (through the Butterfly Reading School) in one of Westminster North's most deprived wards. This independent, innovative and community-led charity has achieved incredible results through teaching based on synthetic phonics. Despite such success, Real Action urgently needs financial support if it is to survive.

The Conservative Candidate for London Mayor said:

"Evidence shows that improving children's literacy is an effective measure in cutting crime and anti-social behaviour. Schemes such as this should be encouraged and nurtured as they achieve so much for some of the most vulnerable in London.

"Many of those attending the Butterfly School are being failed by Labour's education system. It is a shame that children are reliant on schemes such as this in order to go some way to achieving their potential."

Joanne Cash stressed the value of the Butterfly School for children in our community:

"This is a wonderful charity, run by inspiring people who are involved in life changing work.

"Children who cannot read are at a huge disadvantage. The Butterfly School improves their reading skills, helps to raise their aspirations and to builds their confidence.

"I would love to see this expanded throughout Westminster North."

Real Action's education director, Katie Ivens, commented:

"Real Action was founded eleven years ago and aims to provide a service for the community, by the community. Our reputation has grown by word of mouth alone and our classes are always over-subscribed.

"Thousands of local children have benefitted from our Butterfly School and yet we could have done so much more. If we can secure funding, we could sustain and develop our programme.

I am delighted that Boris has pledged to support us if he is elected Mayor of London on May 1st."

Open Letter to Post Office Network Change Team

Re: the proposed closure of the Formosa Street, Harrow Road and Lisson Grove Post Offices

Ms Turner,

I write to oppose the closure of three post offices in the Parliamentary Constituency of Westminster North and to ensure that you are aware there is a case to answer for each of these branches.

Reasons not to close the Formosa Street, Harrow Road and Lisson Grove Post Offices

1)  For small post offices, each with two serving positions, these branches serve a substantial number of customers every week (Formosa Street 1000-1499, Harrow Road 1000-1499 and Lisson Grove 1500 – 1999).

2) These post offices provide vital services to people living in deprived areas; their closure will have a devastating effect on some of our most vulnerable residents and significantly inconvenience the entire community.

- The post office on the Harrow Road serves the Warwick Estate. Many people in this area do not have a bank account and the presence of a post office in the local community is a lifeline for them.

3) Following the closure of the Clifton Road Post Office in 2005, residents were assured that Formosa Street would remain open. This blatant breach of trust has led to uncertainty amongst local residents regarding the long term security of the post offices nominated as alternative branches in this round of closures.

4) Westminster North has a very high population turnover and the census figures from 2001 cannot be treated as reliable. It has been indicated that the closure of the Formosa Street post office may not adhere to the government’s access criteria. Any decision to close this branch will therefore be open to legal challenge.

Flaws in the consultation process

1) The post office access reports are based on misleading data and do not reflect the reality on the ground.

- This was highlighted when, in the face of sustained local pressure, the alternative branches for Formosa Street were changed. The proposed alternatives were clearly unacceptable and the suggested replacements are not much of an improvement.

i) The Kilburn Park branch has no other shops or local facilities around it and therefore does not represent a natural journey for Formosa Street customers. Local residents will have to travel a significant distance with the sole purpose of using the post office.

ii) To use the branch at Edgware Road, residents have to cross several main roads in order to visit a post office already overwhelmed with customers that regularly requires people to queue for more than forty minutes. Edgware Road has already been earmarked to take up the excess from the closure of Lisson Grove.

2) The Government has issued a request to freeze the consultation period for the duration of the London Mayoral Election; post office closures are a politically sensitive issue and Labour are worried that it could become an election liability. The nature of any freeze in consultation must be made public and the consultation period must be extended accordingly.

3) The viability of Edgware Road as a sustainable alternative branch for customers of both the Lisson Grove and Formosa Street post offices is questionable. The consultation period for the Lisson Grove post office should be extended following the changes to the Formosa Street branch access report.

Finally, priority must be given to the support that residents have demonstrated for their local post offices during the decision making process.

I look forward to receiving your response in the near future.

Yours sincerely,

BORIS JOHNSON: COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ABUSE FREE TRAVEL

The Conservative Candidate for Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has unveiled a new policy called 'Payback London' - a scheme whereby under-18's will have their bus passes permanently withdrawn for breaking the Behaviour Code and the only way to earn it back is to participate in Community Service.

At present, under-18s can travel on buses for free in London. This is a great investment and has provided welcome financial relief to parents across London. However, there are still problems with a minority of under-18s who abuse their privilege.

Commenting on the launch of the scheme, Boris said: “As I visit London Boroughs, there is one thing that continues to stand out in every area, whether Hillingdon or Harrow, Edmonton or Enfield - and that is the abuse of free travel by a minority of young people on our buses. It is unacceptable that in some parts of London, buses are intimidating places. Under a Johnson Mayoralty, the passes will be taken away and only given back when community service has taken place. I will end the something-for-nothing society culture for those who abuse it.”

Joanne added her support for Boris’ ‘Payback London’ scheme: "Free travel for children throughout London is not a right, but a privilege. I believe this scheme will help to curb the anti-social behaviour that is blighting London’s public transport system and demonstrate to the small minority of teenagers responsible that bad behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Joanne Disappointed by Karen Buck's Support For Post Office Closures

- Joanne dismayed by contradictory behaviour of local MP

- Karen Buck has publicly assured residents that she will try and save Formosa Street Post Office and signed an Early Day Motion expressing her concerns about the consultation process

-  Last Week, Buck backed the Government's post office closure programme in the House of Commons

Joanne has expressed dismay over Karen Buck’s decision to support Labour's post office closure programme in the House of Commons last Wednesday. At least 20 Labour MPs, including two former ministers, failed to support the Government as a Conservative motion calling for post office closures to be halted was narrowly defeated.

Buck has offered repeated assurances that she is committed to saving the Formosa Street Post Office and was recently entrusted with a petition that contains the signatures of more than 2,300 local residents determined to save their local post office.

On 21st February, Conservative MP Nigel Evans introduced an Early Day Motion that expressed regret about the proposal to close up to 2,500 post offices, concern over the nature of the consultation process and a belief that alternative options for business expansion should be explored further. Karen Buck signed this Early Day Motion on 25th February.

Last week’s Conservative motion, tabled before Parliament by Alan Duncan MP, again expressed regret about the proposal to close up to 2,500 post offices, concern over the nature of the consultation process and a belief that alternative options for business expansion should be explored further. Karen Buck voted against this motion.

In the course of the Parliamentary debate, Alan Duncan compared the Early Day Motion to the motion before the House of Commons: "It (the Early Day Motion) is pretty well word for word the motion before the House today. The only respect in which I have heard that it is thought to be different is the use of the word "instruct" in the context of instructing the Post Office to suspend its consultation. That is dancing on the head of a pin. It would be intellectually dishonest of any Member to think that that gives them a let-out clause."

Joanne Cash is concerned by Karen Buck's contradictory behaviour: "It is incredibly disappointing for local residents that our elected representative has passed up the chance to show her support for our local post offices. In public, Karen Buck claims that she is doing everything in her power to save the Formosa Street Post Office but her decision to vote in favour of this government's post office closure programme suggests that this is not the case. Having signed an Early Day Motion that sought to suspend the consultation process, put a stop to post office closures and search for a positive alternative, Ms Buck was presented with the opportunity to do exactly that. Regrettably, when faced with one of the biggest rebellions of Gordon Brown's premiership thus far, Karen Buck chose to toe the party line."

Boris Johnson Visits the Harrow Road

- Boris Johnson speaks to traders on the Harrow Road about the western extension of the Congestion Charge zone

- Local retailers suffering as loyal customers take their business elsewhere

- New £25 Congestion Charge hits large families the hardest

Boris Johnson, the Conservative candidate for London Mayor, visited the Harrow Road to speak to local traders about the impact that Ken Livingstone's western extension of the congestion charge zone has had upon business in the area, and on the community as a whole.

Ken Livingstone introduced the western extension in February 2007. The revised boundaries split the Harrow Road in two; residents on one side of the road now live within the congestion zone and thus pay reduced charges, residents who live on the other side do not. A number of shops have closed on the Harrow Road in the past year and local traders are convinced that the western extension has contributed to a noticeable decline in business during this period.

Following his visit to the Harrow Road, Boris said: "Speaking to the Harrow Road traders, it is clear that Ken's western extension of the congestion zone has driven business away from the area and is ripping the heart out of the local community. Small, family run shops have been starved of trade because loyal customers are unwilling, or unable, to pay for the privilege of visiting their local retailers."

Outlining his congestion charge policies, Boris continued: "The congestion charge must be reformed; the western extension has dramatically increased the volume of traffic in the original central zone and we must get rid of it. I pledge to introduce a fairer system that makes use of better technology, and a system which doesn't penalise people who just nip in and out, while some people pay the same for going in eight or nine times a day."

Joanne Cash claims that Livingstone's new proposals will hit large families the hardest: "Mayor Livingstone's £25 levy will not improve congestion or emissions and will affect families throughout Westminster North, regardless of their income. Wealthy Londoners will be able to pay the charge or buy a smaller car which they will now be able to use, free of charge, throughout London. It is hard working families who cannot afford to buy a new car, or to pay this exorbitant tax, that will suffer the most."

Joanne Campaigns Against Formosa Street Post Office Closure

- Joanne Cash, Kit Malthouse and Little Venice Councillors show their support for resident’s campaign to save the Formosa Street, W9, Post Office
- Following Clifton Road closure, residents were assured that Formosa Street branch would remain open.
- Closure would have a devastating impact on Little Venice’s most vulnerable residents and significantly inconvenience the entire community.

Joanne Cash, this week, urged the Post Office Network to reconsider proposals to close the Formosa Street Post Office. Joanne was joined by London West Central GLA candidate Kit Malthouse and Little Venice’s Conservative Councillors Melvyn Caplan, Ian Adams and Margaret Doyle on a street stall designed to raise awareness amongst residents about the nature of the Post Office Network’s consultation process.

The Post Office on Formosa Street is one of three branches in Westminster North earmarked for closure under the Post Office’s Network Change Programme. This decision has caused outrage amongst local residents who, less than five years ago, were assured that this branch would remain open following the closure of the Post Office at Clifton Road.

Joanne said: “A tremendous number of local residents have been working extremely hard to ensure that this Post Office remains open. The Formosa Street Post Office provides an invaluable service to the entire community and, if it were to close, many of our most vulnerable residents would be forced to use the St John’s Wood or Queensway branches. For the Post Office Network to suggest that elderly people, local businesses and those with disabilities should have to make such a journey on a regular basis is utterly unacceptable.”

Pledging to do her utmost to save the Formosa Street Post Office, Joanne said; “It is fantastic to see so many people engaging in the political process and, regardless of political affiliation, fighting to reverse an unpopular decision that would impact on the entire community. It is an unfortunate fact that 2,500 branches of the Post Office across the country WILL close as a direct result of this Government’s Post Office closure programme; it is up to us to make sure that Formosa Street is not one of them.”