Lynne's Parliament and Haringey diary

Launched the London Assembly’s Parking Enforcement Report.

Having sweated blood over this one - I have been waiting to launch the report safely before leaving the Assembly. I do media from 6.30am to around 2pm - and off it goes.

I am really pleased with this piece of work. Whilst it won't change overnight some of the unfair practises that go on in parking enforcement in London it has already begun to reign in some of the worst practises.

The main findings and recommendations are to do with stopping confusion – such as poor signs or simply stupid and confusing parking regulations - and we ask for common sense to be applied in parking regs – i.e. not four different rules on one street and stuff like that. The problem isn't just between boroughs - but within boroughs - and sometimes in one street. We recognised that you cannot have a one size fits all across London. There are just too many different local situations - but it can be soooooooo much better than it is.

Also - the whole system rests on the public doing the work to rectify the situation if they are issued with a 'wrong' ticket. Rather than have simple rules that well-trained parking attendants can apply fairly - they don't seem to really mind about wrongly issued tickets. One fifth of representations by motorists to councils are granted and two thirds that go onto appeals process are found in favour of motorist. I think it is this that drives the public mad.

The Transport Committee is also recommending a variation in penalty charge to reflect the seriousness or otherwise of the ‘offence’.

I suppose (and I don't want to go into the whole report here - it is worth a read) the most controversial bit of the parking issue is the public's belief that tickets are a way of raking in revenue rather than the stated purpose of parking regulation and enforcement - which is to improve road safety and traffic flow.

We (the Transport Committee) were threatened with legal action by the Association of London Government in the middle of one of the evidence sessions if we were to come out with findings in our report which stated or inferred that revenue raising was the purpose of regulation and enforcement. Such practise would be illegal.

We didn't receive explicit evidence of this. The nearest we could get was the witnesses to the first session (including the CEO of NCP) stating that councils put the expected revenue into their budget projections. Whilst entirely natural - and the ALG said based on experience - the witnesses clearly thought this dictated a degree of expectation about revenue which if reduced in any way might jeopardise a council's budget - well that was my interpretation.

But no explicit evidence that would stand up in court. However, I do believe that under the new Freedom of Information Act there will be revealed a whole raft of things that various individuals or groups - incensed by perceived 'unfairness' - are currently pursuing.

One thing we did receive late on was a scanned version of what looked like a contract between a company operating the parking enforcement for a borough and their parking attendants which clearly states that for increased revenue they will be given Argos vouchers and states targets for tickets.

Just announcing this investigation brought in its wake changes by councils - my hope is that this continues and that parking enforcement becomes something that people feel happy complying with because it is administered fairly and openly.

In the afternoon, I had a meeting with the Chief Executive of Haringey Council. I go to the CE's new office in their new building - River Park House. It is my first visit and looks a good working environment. This is important – and I think giving staff decent conditions to work in produces better services, so I don’t begrudge them their new building.

We go through my 'issues' which include: Red Gables, school places, the replacement of the childrens' play equipment at Campsbourne and Hornsey Town Hall.

Shock horror - went away for the weekend - absolutely fantastic (and much needed)! Then Bank Holiday Monday: spent clearing my emails at home and still writing thank yous to all the congratulations that came in and took youngest to Star Wars.

Another all day surgery at Wood Green library. The library staff are pleased that I am operating an appointments system as it is orderly and well-managed. I am giving everyone 15 or 20 minutes - depending on the issue as discussed on the phone previously. Open surgeries are great - but in the end people could wait all day and still not get seen or have their time squashed. We will see how it goes.

My sister is helping me at present as it is not wise to be on your own for surgery and she’s also taking notes - just fantastic! And we a good natter over lunch.

I then rush from surgery to Muswell Hill to chair a meeting between parents near Tetherdown School and Vodafone, who are about to turn on their mobile phone mast.

It is a pretty depressing meeting because the last hope is really that Vodafone would have supplied the mapping the parents had requested at the last meeting - which would show the beam of greatest intensity and where it fell – and whether it was within the education authority’s guidelines. They haven't done this.

It is clear as the meeting progresses that Vodafone are going to turn on the mast regardless and have come to the meeting simply because they promised they would at the last meeting - not with any real intention of changing their position.

They agree, under excellent and expert pressure from the parents, to supply the mapping information (although now after the event) and refuse point blank to wait for another week whilst the parents receive and analyse the mapping. They do agree to take readings and measurements before and after switching it on.

So - an unhappy end thus far. The parents will continue to campaign and I will support them. I think there really is a lack of willingness on behalf of mobile phone companies to avoid vulnerable residents and children voluntarily - and I will be pursuing in Parliament legislation to give local authorities the power to refuse such applications on the 'precautionary principle' where sited near vulnerable residents.

Off to the MPA (having resigned a couple of weeks ago) to lead a deputation from Highgate who have submitted a question. Highgate Tube is out of action - closed - so have to take car. Looks like I won't make it - but I do and arrive just in time.

The issue is that with Highgate being split between three boroughs, no single police commander will ever rate it important enough to get a Safer Neighbourhood Team. So the deputation wants the three police commanders to be given a nudge and a way to be found for such a team to be introduced in the area.

The reaction of my erstwhile colleagues on the MPA is hilarious. Kind of - how dare I? I dare.

Toby Harris (Labour and former GLA member himself) joins with the Tories in trying to infer that I am a johnny come lately to this and it was really started by Tories. Nonsense – as the chair of the MPA points out, I have been working on this for months and raised it on his borough visit to Haringey months and months ago. It’s another example of the rather cynical Labour and Tory love-in we often get in Haringey – they’re both so scared of losing yet more elections to the Lib Dems they like to talk each other up in public.

Anyway - it sparks a jolly good debate - and a few promises. After which melee the MPA Chair asks me to join him and makes a presentation to me with a gift and thanks me for all the hard work. 'Ah - so now you're being nice to me'!

I say thank you and how much I have enjoyed my time on the MPA. I also - parting shot - say that they won't be losing me entirely as I have been put in the LibDem Home Affairs Team! Joy all round........

In the afternoon trail round dismally looking at the few offices which are still left in Parliament. I am almost bottom of the heap and will be left with shoebox, far from the Commons and far from staff by the look of it. I lost my place in office allocations because I had to go to Leeds to do Question Time.

Then I have to meet Mark Littlewood from the LibDem Press Office who runs through the whole media operation with me. Coming from high profile on the Assembly, I have a lot of media experience now - so much of what we cover is for form. Mark seems very on the ball and a good thing from what I can see.

In the evening - pop into Valerie and Clive Silbigers' farewell party. They are moving to France. The first meeting Haringey Lib Dem meeting I ever went to was in Valerie's flat. She has been a stalwart of the Party for over 30 years and is currently President of London Region - an unsung hero of the party to whom I am grateful for her love and support over the years. And in this election - whereas she has always done front of desk at Simon Hughes' campaign HQ - this time she did mine! We wish them all the very best in their new life in France.

Labels: mpa, simon hughes

8am: meet key local campaigners over the Highgate Tube Control Centre. Tubelines want to improve the service on the Northern Line (good thing) but are doing this by putting a big ugly building in at the edge of Highgate Woods (bad thing).

We are meeting with Catherine McGuinness of the Corporation of London for a photo op and discussion. Tubelines has listened a bit to the campaign from residents living next to the site about their side of the site, but they have not taken, seemingly, a blind bit of notice of the damaging aspect towards the Highgate Woods side.

I assume this is because trees and squirrels can't complain? However, Cllr Bob Hare (Lib Dem, Highgate ward), the Highgate Society, the Corporation of London and me are speaking out on behalf of all those who use the woods, the trees, the squirrels and indeed the bats.

We release a joint statement for the press.

Then at 10am my last Mayor's Question Time at City Hall. I am sad to go - but as ever have a bit of a spat with Ken. Basically a skirmish over his failure since re-entering the Labour womb to deal effectively with the Tube PPP. The performance is abysmal and the private companies, in my view, unlikely to deliver even what was in their original bid. We are a Capital City - get us out of it! Ken has got to threaten more - and/or get us out of the contract at the Government's cost. Spending too much time fixing for us to use mobile phones on the tube - and none on getting the infracos to deliver the basic services!

Anyway - still sad to be leaving. I have just so enjoyed it all.

A couple of hours later I pop up to see Ken because I have promised residents campaigning on another issue to raise the issue with him. Ken and I chat for a while - and then he says - have you come to say goodbye? And I say no. I have come to request a deputation on the Highgate Tube station fence issue.

Ken has actually seen the fence and seems to totally agree and says he doesn't need a deputation - let's just deal with it. He drags me through to Redmond (right hand man's) office and we run through it. Redmond says he will contact Tim O'Toole (Transport for London) and ask him to take down the fence and see what he says.

Glad I won't be there to hear the expletives! - but this is Ken at his finest, actually standing up for what matters. I wait with baited breath.

In the evening, after my first three line whip vote in which melee I find myself next to Boris (my new best friend from Question Time) Johnson and ask him which is the 'ayes' and which is the 'noes' lobby? I clearly don't want to go the wrong way. Boris claims not to know … Very charming - but I don't believe a word.

Labels: bob hare, boris johnson, tfl, tim o'toole

Frantic rush to get out two of the most urgent casework queries from Friday's surgeries and write my maiden speech. Difficult process - as traditionally you are meant to say something nice about your predecessor, describe your constituency and that's about it.

Having listened to a few already like that, it seemed a bit pointless to not have any substance. But how to get away with it in the confines of what's "expected" of a maiden speech?

I had dropped a note to the Speaker (which is what you do) the previous week to ask to speak on the Tuesday of the Queen's Speech debate. Tuesday was for debating education and health - only you don't really have to relate your speech to the subject - but a fleeting nod in that direction is appreciated.

You have to be in the chamber at the start of the debate - rise to your feet at the end of every speech to indicate to the Speaker that you want to be called - and not leave the chamber at any time or you lose your place.

So starting at 2.30pm I got up. I sat down. I got up. I sat down. This performance went on and on and on. Various colleagues coming and going throughout the process - including my mentor Don Foster (each of us new kids have been given a mentor). Don has a flip through my speech and seems to think it OK.

At around 8pm - by which time I am parched, hot and very warn out from the tension - Don goes and has a word with the Speaker to get me excused for a ten minute break and we go to the 'smoking room' where Don and John Thurso have whisky - and I have a glass of water. This is not the time to have a drink as much as I want one.

I go back into the chamber having managed to give a quick phonecall to my daughter to say I think I will be called in the next hour. Sure enough - at about 9.20pm I rise to my feet to attract Mr Speaker's attention - and realise - as I am literally the last one standing that he will finally call me - and he does.

I was nervous - I saw on the tape that my kids took - a bit of shaking of papers. However, it went well I think. (You can watch the speech for up to a fortnight after it was given on the Parliament TV website - click on Archive on the left and then search for my name - so judge for yourself! Or read it in Hansard.).

I covered the ground I wanted to: Hornsey Town Hall (getting the Deputy Prime Minister to exempt Haringey from best value rules so it doesn't just have to be sold off to the highest bidder); phone masts (the need for legislation to give local authorities powers to refuse applications on the precautionary grounds); school places (shortage of); over-cramming development with poor design and inadequate health, school and transport infrastructure; gun and knife crime and anti-social behaviour.

A huge sense of relief flooded through me as I finished. THe Labour MP who followed was very flattering - and I am grateful that it all went so well. Everyone had warned me that the first time you rise in the House to speak your knees knock and your hands shake - and thus it was.

Out onto the terrace (so beautiful) for a quick drink. Mark Oaten (our Shadow Home Secretary) joins us. Can't remember if I already said - but I am to be in the Home Office team and Mark has informed me that I will be spokesperson for Police, Crime and Disorder - which is just the best possible brief.

I go home to my children and we watch the tape they made of me speaking. They liked it - but eldest daughter says my hair is a disgrace and needs cutting!

Labels: mark oaten

Haringey Council's Annual General Meeting and Mayor Making. The chamber is full of dignitaries and guests. A dilemma had arisen about whether I would sit as an MP or sit with the other councillors (I'm carrying on as a councillor until my current term of office comes to an end). I had cleared up the dilemma by choosing to sit with the councillors. I was there primarily in that role - to vote.

Now this council meeting unlike others is meant to be mainly ceremonial. However - the form from previous years has been Labour saying in advance, "it's ceremonial, let's not have the political stuff at this meeting" and then at the meeting promptly ignoring agreements about how to handle the meeting and going for all sorts of political stuff.

This year - shock horror - everyone behaved!

The new Mayor was sworn in. Neil (Lib Dem leader) and Charles (Labour council leader) said a few nice things about myself and David Lammy. And they we all went off for the dinner / dance hosted by the council at the Ally Pally.

Afternoon - get to give out prizes at the YMCA Fun Run in Priory Park. It's an annual event that has become one of the biggest community events in the borough.

As I enter Priory Park - I am meant to find Alison ... Where amongst the thousands of people will she be? I meander to a sort of raised stand with an awning where a girl with a microphone is barking out instructions. Hurray - it's Alison!

I am giving the prizes for the childrens' races. THey are running late - so Mr Lewis who basically is Mr YMCA walks me around the park to view the different stalls. The event is sponsored by New River and will raise money for the charity CLIC Sargeant.

Alison eventually starts the announcements at the end of the day before the prize-giving. She told the audience that the charity was for childrens' cancer and talked about how many children would get cancer. There was a bit of a gasp as the audience at that point was mainly children, but it's good to increase levels of understanding of cancer.

I clamber up onto the platform and Alison announces the winners, 1st, 2nd and 3rd of every boy and girls race - for every age. It takes a while - but was such a pleasure. The little kids especially sweet as I presented them with their trophy and they turned to fact the crowd and raised their 'cup' aloft - just like Wembley!

Details of the winners are in the local newspaper's report of the event.

Met with key group against the Highgate Tube fence which was erected by Tubelines / Transport for London after a meeting where the predominant voices won - but were not fully representative of people in the area. And even though Tubelines / TfL were warned immediately after the meeting that this was the case and a public meeting was then held - they still proceeded.

Now we have a fence blocking the green view from Archway Road and reflecting much noise (and possibly pollution) back onto the Archway Road as if residents and shops there don't already have enough to contend with. There’s a balance to be struck and it hasn't been struck right.

Upshot of meeting is that I am to arrange a deputation to the Mayor of London by these key stakehoders - and try and knobble Bob Kiley too.

Labels: tfl

Surgery all day at Wood Green Library. I've not yet put in place a regular surgery schedule – need some time to asses demand, where people want to come to, etc. But there are already so many requests for surgery appointments I have simply booked every Friday for the next few weeks for all day surgeries - tough going, but I don't want to leave people waiting too long.

So this is the equivalent of three surgeries but all on one day. My sister comes along to help me with the notes and because I have been advised not to do it on my own.

As ever - all human life in its frailty is there - and it reminds me how difficult life can be if you are not coping. Immigration, housing and schooling are the main issues. There are about thirteen booked appointments. A couple of extra people show up and three don't show - so it all works out. But come home to phone messages for lots more. It'll be another long day next Friday!

Meeting with Charles Kennedy who is seeing us new kids on the block. Again a good meeting with lots of ideas and good humour. Charles seems very happy with his new intake.

Then back to the constituency (glad I’m a London MP!) for a meeting (“Development Control Forum”) on a proposed development in centre of Wood Green. It is revolting. There is no other way to describe the design - insensitive, unrelated to the buildings around it, ugly, poor materials and so on.

The residents attending gave the architects what for and then some. Three members of the planning committee were there - so hopefully they noted not only the adverse comments of everyone in the room but also the genuine planning objections that could rise from them.

The Mayor's London plan was often sited as the reason they had done this or that. But it’s not much of an excuse. The London Plan at least aspires to good and sustainable design – it doesn’t demand cramming nor ugliness nor lack of appropriate infrastructure.

Labels: charles kennedy

Lively debate at our Parliamentary Party meeting. Much desire from everyone to ensure the party moves further ahead in this Parliament and lots to discuss about how best to do it.

In the evening dash back to join the celebrations at Ally Pally for 40 years of Haringey Borough. A whole line of ex-councillors from days of yore told their tale after the dinner - very interesting historically.

Undercurrents of tension around the room - seems to me there is much blaming going on by Labour of everyone but themselves for the loss of the parliamentary seat. I guess they can see the writing on the wall for the council elections next year. But, just like Tony, their 'listening and learning' from the results of the election and the message that Haringey residents sent to them doesn't appear to have gone in at all. Jolly good I say. Let them blame me, blame council officers, blame Blair, blame anyone but themselves - that way they will be too busy fighting each other and moaning to stop the Lib Dems taking control of the council next May.

Labels: tony blair

State opening of Parliament. I arrive about 10.15am and having been instructed fill out a prayer card and pop it in one of only two remaining seats. This is the parliamentary equivalent of towels on deckchairs - and so long as you report for prayers, you can keep your seat for the rest of the day.

Black Rod comes and does his thing - calling the Commons to go across to the Lords. We all troop through. As I am vertically challenged and standing at the back - my view is just of the top of the Queen's crown and occasionally glimpsing her face.

Back to the Commons. We adjourn and then reconvene at 2.30pm for the opening debate on the Queen's Speech.

This debate is traditionally opened (what isn't traditional here) by an old backbencher and a new backbencher. They’re meant to give funny speeches. They were ok - but not that funny ... then Michael Howard had his go - followed by Tony 'I've listened and learned' Blair.

Clearly he hadn't as the 45 bills were the same program he waned last time - so the old game is back in town and it's ID cards, removal of civil liberties and so on.

It is all pretty interesting for me at this stage. All the characters who have peppered my TV screen for years are live in the room. And the proceedings are all novel and certainly antiquated. I would love to think it could change - but the boys school is in evidence and better people than I have tried in the past - so the key will be learning how to use Parliament to deliver the things I need to fight for in Hornsey & Wood Green.

Labels: tony blair

We queue up to take our oath of allegiance etc (I affirm) in the chamber. I am introduced to Mr Speaker and then that's it. Off to a Parliamentary Party meeting to discuss the Queen's Speech for the next day. We run through what is in the Government's program and each spokesperson says what they think about each proposed bill. The Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet has been published and it seems pretty good to me - lots of talent and go getting members.

Crack of dawn off to ITN for what turned out to be a grilling by the newscaster. He was very shocked when he asked what people hadn't liked about the LibDems - and I said I thought since we finally had some exposure in the election of our policies - they liked them all.

I know he wanted me to say one policy or another - but it is true - overall it was just the best prospectus to stand on - very comfortable.

Straight on to Sky with Adam Boulton. This time there is a Tory and a Labour new MP too. In fact, the Labour MP and I keep meeting on these 'new MP' programs. This interview is great fun. Of course, given I have spent an inordinate amount of time in TV studios - I know my way round them better than the House of Commons.

Later in day work on Parking Enforcement Report. This is my swan-song project at the GLA. I have spent the last year firstly trying to get the investigation to happen despite great opposition from boroughs particularly sensitive to having their parking policies looked at and who think the London Assembly should keep their nose out.

Then the actual investigation - and now am just working on the final draft report to go out Monday to the committee for comments. Hopefully, we will get the final version shortly and my intention is to see this report launched and agreed at Transport Committee. And then I can leave. This is one loose end I must tie up before cutting the umbilical.

Labels: adam boulton

Day off! Shock horror - first since the New Year barring two days away beginning of February. What's a girl to do? Retail therapy - off I go to buy some work suits. It was great. Then took my youngest daughter out to lunch in Highgate Village - had a glass of wine - fell asleep all afternoon. Off to a party (parents of daughter's school friend) for a couple of hours - but too tired and come hope and sleep rest of evening. Followed by sleeping all night - no problem with sleeping as you can tell.

Love Friday the 13th! Used to live at number 13 Woodstock Road - was a really happy house - so a good day for my 'thank you' party for all those who helped in the election.

Over a thousand people were sent invites - yes - that's how many people helped with delivering, stuffing, addressing, donating, poster sites, printing, etc, etc, etc. If they had all turned up - we would have been in big trouble!

I arrived at Hornsey Community Centre about 7.40pm and it was already packed - and everyone, all evening, came up to wish me well. It was absolutely fantastic - such a genuine grass roots campaign. Heart warming!

Monica (Hornsey organiser) and Ed (Stroud Green ward) stood on chairs to address everyone and say special thank yous to those who had done above the call of duty - particularly Mark (my campaign manager) and Neil (my agent and Leader of the Lib Dems on Haringey Council).

Now Mark usually checks my blog writings for legal matters – i.e. I don't want to get sued. And no doubt he will try and remove this posting as it mentions him by name - but I will be checking!

Both Neil and Mark are remarkable - both in ability and commitment. We have all been together in this for about eight years - and what happened on polling day wasn't just the four week campaign, wasn't just the war - but was the sum of years of work by a fantastic team of about thirty key activists who have worked unstintingly over these years.

Apart from Mark and Neil - each ward had its own team who soldiered on delivering the campaign in their area. Harold was in charge of printing; David in charge of telephone canvassing; Justin in charge of stakeboards – with great help from Alan and Dave, and so on and so on. The ward teams - Stroud Green (Laura, Richard and Ed), Crouch End (Ron, Peter and David), Alexandra/Bounds Green (Susan, Wayne and Dave), Muswell Hill / Fortis Green (Gail, Martin, Steve and Matt), Highgate (Neil, Bob and Melanie), Woodside (Nigel and Shantanu), Hornsey (Monica), Noel Park (Neil and Fiyaz). And the team who ran HQ - Valerie, Susanne and Monica. My sister - who organised my diary, visits to sheltered housing, leaflets at stations and telling for three wards. Duncan, Mette and Thuranie were my home team helping deal with election enquiries, sending out posters, etc. The Rea family and Bjorn were at HQ constantly and were the backbone of the stuffing operation. Wayne – who did such a great job as our Tottenham candidate (moving up into second with a big swing from Labour). And of course, my daughters, Jenna and Cady. Plus many, many, more!

I just wanted to publicly acknowledge the key team and the hundreds of others who were so generous with time, effort and money.

And the buggers - they presented me with a framed poster of the Hornsey Journal's paper that they put outside newsagents. It reads in HUGE writing 'I've nagged my way to victory - New MP'.

It's so true - whenever people ask how I have got so far so fast - I always put it down to my ability to nag (politer term - lobby persistently). After all - it is a middle-aged woman's life skill!

Labels: mette kahlin

Off to Leeds for Question Time on Thursday, catching the 4.35pm train from Kings X. Spot Harriet Harman and assistant in queue for train and introduce myself briefly - then revert to place in queue.

On the journey have to read all the papers and need to make some notes on key issues that might come up. They give you no idea whatsoever as to the questions.

Arrive in Leeds and all five guests are gathered together and put in a people mover to the TV studios. Banter between Borris (Johnson) and Andrew (Rawnsley); boys’ stuff - who knows more about the leadership contests etc.

Up to the Green Room where banter has disappeared and everyone is shifting nervously about. Some students who have won a competition to produce a Question Time later in the year are wheeled in to meet us - but I honestly too nervous to really talk properly with them.

And suddenly - we're off. Down to the studio where David Dimbleby is talking to the audience and we are introduced one by one. One warm up question is put (that isn't broadcast). It is on George Galloway and the oil vouchers. I am surprised that it is used for the warm up - but given the answers, perhaps the possibility of libel meant it was better not used for real!

The Question Time music comes up - and first up is the election results. It seems an age before David comes to me - and I manage to get out a voting reform plea. Second question on 'hoodies'. Now I know all about hoodies as my teenage daughter a) wears them b) informs me that kids in hoods are nothing compared with the 'Rude Boys' (different dress code).

I write down 'dress code' and Boris (who I am sitting next to) peers at what I have written - probably a skill learned in school exams when he didn't know the answer! I give my view - which essentially boils down to any establishment having the right to have a dress code but that the real issue is about how people behave not how they dress. And if their behaviour is a problem - then it needs addressing properly with due attention from teachers, parents, social services etc.

Harriet, for reasons I don't understand, launches into New Labour speak on 'yobs' - but went over the top. I think she was overly defensive - but it can't be easy being a Labour Minister and - as she had said to me earlier - last time she was on she had made a dreadful faux pas (which I had watched and thought funny) by accidentally referring to 'Prime Minister Brown'. Funny for us watching - but probably not funny if it’s you saying it.

And so the program went on. When someone suggested Boris as the new Tory leader - Boris did his charming, ruffled, bumbling persona stuff - and he is sooooooo funny and the audience do just love him. I was glad he was there as it relaxed me and just made me laugh too.

And then it was over. I lived!

Afterwards in the Green Room there was a buffet supper and as the program is taped as live about an hour and a half before - it is played on the TV screens as it goes out, but I don't watch it.

Chatting afterwards - it is clear that I have not stuffed up! That was my horror and my dread - to cock-up Question Time as the new LibDem MP on the first one after the election would have been mortifying.

A car takes myself and the Tory writer Jo-Anne Nadler back to London. Lots of text messages which were really great to get - and lots of phone calls. Home by 2.30am and straight to bed.

Labels: andrew rawnsley, boris johnson, george galloway, harriet harman, question time

Go to City Hall for AGM of London Assembly - my vote is necessary to see Sally Hamwee safely into the Chair of the Assembly for the coming year. Other committees are set up and later I sign my letter of resignation from the Met Police Authority. (I’ll be standing down from the GLA in a couple of weeks once I’ve tided up various loose ends). Makes me very sad as I love the work I have been able to do on policing and my hope is that I will be able to carry it on at the Commons.

Am called to see Chief Whip at Commons who asks what experience I have and how I am getting along etc. The Chief Whip is Andrew Stunnell - who I shadowed at Parliament eight years ago before I was elected to anything - so he can take due credit!

Into chamber for first time to elect the Speaker of the House (although there is only Michael Martin standing). Nevertheless - clearly an occasion for speeches. I sat in the third row - and was very squished. Too many people for too few seats - and very, very noise. No doubt it will all become familiar in a relatively short time.

Then off for a briefing for Question Time. Everyone says 'you'll be fine' - but I don't know that or think it even possible at this point. Can't wait for it to be over! Back to Commons for Parliamentary Party weekly meeting - interesting to see everyone. At least we are now a big enough party for me not to know everyone and then home - to emails and more emails.

Into City Hall for an interview with LBC and also attend Ken's press conference. Final gift for me - Ken announces a rise in penalty fines for fare dodgers (a Lib Dem campaign) and the earlier finishing of the congestions charge in the evening (a Lib Dem campaign) - so Ken's obviously a closet Lib Dem!

Rush over to Commons (doesn't that sound funny) to try and get a computer and understand what and where everything is.

More briefings followed by more briefings and then off to constituency for a meeting at Red Gables – a fantastic family/children facility in Crouch End that Haringey Council is trying to close.

Two Labour councillors were at the meeting to try to explain the Council's plans. Impressive they weren't! They want to close it to make savings and are promising to redistribute the 'services' to new childrens' centres elsewhere in the borough. But they couldn't say what, where or when. And whilst they made notes of what the packed meetings said - they batted away question after question without an answer. They didn't seem to understand that when parents are asking what will happen to services for their children - they want clear, specific answers, not vague promises that something might be provided at a time and place unknown.

I think that the Labour duo were shocked by the depth of feeling in that room. I hope they were. And I hope when they reflect on the incredible contributions from the people in that room that they find enough understanding to change their minds.

It was a good first meeting to attend as MP as it reminded me sharply how much there is to fight for - and that fighting for residents is what comes first.

Phone does not stop ringing and I am desperately trying to get out the door to get to Westminster for various inductions for new MPs. I'm not complaining though. Interview after interview - the size of the swing in Hornsey and Wood Green seems to have taken much of the media by surprise.

Anyway - finally get our of the house at about midday and off to Westminster. First stop - Portcullis House (offices next door the Commons) to get registered, pass, finance office and hundreds of other things before the first briefing for new Lib Dem MPs.

Two hours of various briefings. Having promised not to overload us new kids on the block with too much information - we were then given too much information. They really tried - but it's hard when there is so much new to tell us about.

The clear message was - sort your office and your casework out fast - otherwise you will get a backlog to die for and everyone will be cross. So that's what I am doing and hope to have my first surgery set up for next week and all communications given a first response.

Then phone call from our press office - Question Time have phoned to request I go on the program this week. Now I’ll feel anxious until it's over.

Then go to meet whole Parliamentary Party and be addressed by Charles K at Local Government Association. Good address followed by photo call for new MPs with the leader. I am placed next to Charles. I have noticed that is where I am positioned a lot at the moment - so the party is clearly pleased with my result!

Then finally get home to try to conquer the thousand emails that have arrived.

Interestingly enough - lots of people who had voted Labour came up to me yesterday and today and said how glad they were that I had won. Funny really - the pull of a lifetime of Labour support or fears whipped up by Labour that the Tories would somehow win if they voted Lib Dem had meant some had actually stuck with Labour - but it was quite clear that they were absolutely delighted that even though they hadn't voted for me - I had won.

A day of flowers, cards and emails (around 500) of congratulations. Of trying to thank everyone, clearing up and in the end I crash out on the sofa watching a DVD with the kids...

Polling day begins at 4am meeting in M & S car park to doll out our 'Good Morning' leaflets to bleary-eyed volunteers. I am amazed by the turnout. We have never tried to do a Good Morning leaflet constituency-wide before and we worked out to deliver it all in three hours we would need at least 150 people. We didn't quite make it - but jolly nearly.

After I finish my own delivery I take a car boot full of Crouch End leaflets to HQ for Monica to give to anyone who comes free. As I depart Hornsey a bloke in the street says 'Oy Lynne! I'm voting for you - gonna give you lot a chance. Fed up with the other two'.

And so the day went, knocking on doors and lots of cheery greetings - fantastic atmosphere. Funniest thing was that I met quite a few residents who said they had voted Labour but that they wanted me to win! Clearly tapped into the schizophrenia that has grabbed Labour (and the Guardian) between wanting to send Blair a message and having been got at by the Labour spin of vote Lib Dem let a Tory in. No chance in my view - but can well understand the nightmare vision of Michael Howard as PM.

Lots and lots of 'good lucks', 'I'm voting for you' and waves, hoots and shouted greetings as I go out and about knocking up. Don't know how much you can read into such things - but atmosphere all very, very positive.

An Observer journalist comes to interview me whilst I am banging on doors in Cranley Gardens. I take a welcome break to talk to him. Nice guy - looks at me sceptically when I say I think we can win but that it is very close. I explain the background results over the last seven years that have made this even possible - and he says he will text me later when the result comes through.

More knocking and delivering around the constituency. Endless rounds of endless doors and endless leaflets. Day is uneventful. We hear that Labour are out in force in Woodside ward. My last knock up of the day is in Muswell Hill where it seems everyone virtually is voting Lib Dem - whether lifelong Lib Dems, Labour or Tory - all voting for us! Amazing.

As the polls close - everyone except me and my sister go off to Ally Pally to the count. I go home and watch the coverage on TV!

About 11.30pm my agent, Neil Williams, phones to say we've done it with a majority of between 2-3000. How sure? Pretty sure - although Labour apparently think they have squeaked it. Knowing my campaign manager who inputs the count tallies as each ballot box is open and verified - I know that the figures will be spot on.

As I go back into the lounge Dimbleby is just saying that it looks like Hornsey & Wood Green has gone.

I get the call to go to the count about 1.30am and off we go. A reception of Lib Dems, cameras and journalists - cheers and happiness all-round. In the count room it is silent and waiting for the official figures.

Eventually the Chief Exec calls agents and candidates to the table and gives us the result - and it's official.

We go through for the announcements - and the speeches. And then – Lib Dems back to my house for a bit of a celebration. Although the hallway is packed out with people celebrating when ITV comes to film, it’s only a tiny proportion of those who have helped elect me – our 300+ strong team of volunteer deliverers who do their own street, the 700-odd people who have donated in the last year, my 15 colleagues in the Lib Dem council group, the list goes on … not to mention the most important group – the many thousands of people who voted for me.

I gave a little speech - and finally thanked my campaign manager Mark (a genius) and my agent Neil (equally brilliant). They are extraordinary - both of them - and together with a team of activists and helpers that most candidates can only dream of - we did it!

I had had it by 5am and went to bed leaving about 20 or 30 happy but wrecked Lib Dems downstairs. It was a fantastic result.

Labels: neil williams

Exhaustion has finally caught up with me – so just to say thank you to everyone who voted and helped yesterday. You can get the details on the BBC website.

I've now lost 10lbs (Bridget J would be jealous). Forget dieting - get into politics!

Sorry about lack of blog last couple of days - for obvious reasons. But I am feeling reflective as I write this in the early morning hours. I suppose the thing that has struck me most on our campaign here in Hornsey & Wood Green is how angry my opponents are as power comes under threat.

It's not a pretty sight - and perhaps because I came very late to politics - the depths to which people will sink still shocks me.

But I'm not naive - I just think you see mirrored in Hornsey & Wood Green the same negative campaigning by Labour and Tory as you see in the national campaign. It seems to be having the same effect here - our ratings going up!

Canvassed in Noel Park and Highgate today - both good. Several Tories in Highgate commented on a particular nasty letter sent out by the Tory candidate - to say that they were now voting for me. Lots of people switching from Labour and Tory to Lib Dems - so everything to play for.

The team is being absolutely fantastic - funny, good humoured and exhausting every ounce of energy. The good atmosphere (possibly partly produced by having HQ above the Three Compasses pub) makes the grind much easier to bear - but we are all flat out.