After early morning delivery, we have breakfast in a café in Mill Hill Broadway. By coincidence we meet someone who we met canvassing the night before and he is glad to see us out and about.
After 8 years of working on the council it is now good to be campaigning full time and demonstrating to people that we are action and not talk.
Another man at a table next to us asks about the election and we chat. He is eating Marmite and we talk about the Facebook site where people can vote on whether they love or hate Marmite – I am in the love camp. Just like politicians at this election, the Love Marmite Campaign has a manifesto and pledges:
1. To accord ministerial powers to everyday Marmite lovers so they can help spread the message.
2. To develop new ways for Marmite to help tackle society's issues.
3. To set up anger management courses for Marmite haters.
4. To criminalise all acts of face-pulling towards the Marmite-loving community.
5. Upon victory, to build a Marmite shrine for lovers across the world to congregate and worship.
Not sure about all the pledges but I will still support the Love Campaign.
After lunch I address a women’s group in Edgware. It is one of the best meetings that I have addressed and we cover a huge range of topics that the ladies ask me about. The Hendon constituency has more women than men and I have campaigned on seeking improvements to the Breast Screening Service in Edgware and now I want to see improved nursery provision for families with young children.
When we canvass in the evening we see that the police have pulled over two young guys and are searching them.
I recognise at least one of the police officers and at the same time one of the boys shouts out that he is innocent and the police have stopped them for nothing.
I can’t comment on this particular case but recent figures from the Home Office have shown a huge increase in the number of people being stopped and searched by the police – but these, worringly, have been as potential terrorists.
Many people, particularly amateur photographers, have said that the Government has allowed the police to misuse counter-terror powers to target innocent tourists and bystanders.
The number of people stopped and searched increased by 66 per cent between 2007/8 and 2008/9, the most recent year for which figures have been released. 210,000 people were stopped and searched in 2008/9 under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 yet only nine people were arrested for terrorism offences.
That is 0.004 per cent of those who were stopped and searched under Section 44. While I am very strong on the prevention of terrorism and crime in general it does not appear that the police are focusing on the right people.
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