Reading East
Should have said it earlier in the week, but a hearty well done to Anneliese Dodds for getting selected as Labour’s PPC for Reading East. I’ve known Anneliese for more than eight years, and I’m sure she’ll work incredibly hard in Reading. She’s emphatically not one of those types I described rather memorably in this post; she’s clear and honest in her politics, which are to the left of the party. I’m incredibly chuffed that Reading members selected her - she’s exactly the sort of young woman who’ll get us that precious fourth term.
Yes Well Done Anneliese!
I’m sure you’ll do at least a good a job as you did here in Billericay in 2005. If not better!!
Good choice Reading. You couldn’t have chosen a better candidate.
Pleased to hear the good news!
I know Anneliese. I met her at the 2004 Party Conference. Not only is she consciensious and deciated, but she is also friendly, approachable and down-to-earth. The very qualities needed in an MP!
Was Anneliese Prresident of Oxford?
I didn’t know Oxford was a tiny Republic!
I know what you mean though and I believe she was
she was as i remember an excellent president and a very consistent left. i assume that this still holds true, in which case this very good news for the citizens of reading.
Indeed, she was President of the Student Union. Now, Antonia, remind me whether it was her or Kirsty who refused to write mean letters to the Labour Party in case it cost her a future parliamentary seat…?
Don’t be mean yourself. Anneliese is one of the most decent and kind Party activists I know and I suspect Antonia would say the very same.
As long as she doesn’t get arrested multiple times for doing dodgy things in Reading station toilets I’m sure she’ll have a reasonable chance of winning back the seat!
Well done to Anneliese - but I’m surprised ambitious Labour types would want anything to do with Reading East.
In the 2006 locals they polled a record low 23% coming third behind the Liberal Democrats. Labour council control is vanishing fast as a result of some spectacularly arrogant, unpopular decisions.
Anneliese doesn’t stand a chance. She might do better by not telling the local paper she’s lodging with the CLP chair who said the postal voting fraud was only a little fraud, so it’s OK then….
Tony Page was an excellent candidate and I won’t hear a word said against him. He was the victim of a horrible Tory smear campaign by one of the least principled people in politics today.
That aside, congratulations to Anneliese, I’m sure she’ll be a brilliant candidate.
Yeah, you’d know all about smear campaigns wouldn’t you RP? What’s your famous advice again: “Always eat two bowls of weatabix, half a moat loaf, and a pint of Old Peculiar before setting out for some high quality smearing”.
I wholly accept that the sitting Tory MP in Reading East led a campaign against Tony Page that made clear how low some people will go to pursue positions of power. Unfortunately, I think it is definitely an uphill struggle to reclaim the seat come the next election. As long as Anneliese can rally the troops (who should hopefully be remoralised after years of infighting followed by disappointing electoral defeats) I’m sure she can put on a good show.
Well done Anneliese. An outstanding candidate who will give Wilson a run for his money. Sorry, but Tony Page was never going to get elected - yes there was a smear campaign, but there was plenty to smear! Disappearing council control? Unpopular decisions? Sometimes, councils have to make difficult and yes, unpopular choices - thank goodness Reading Labour Councillors do. That’s why Reading is prosperous, has an excellent transport plan based on the changes to the IDR, improved recycling collection rates and an improving education record. Considering the national picture, Labour has done well in both the 2005 and 2006 local elections. If Labour do lose control, all we have to look forward to is a hung (read directionless) council, or worse Tory control. Public service cuts anyone?
I don’t know anything about Reading or Annaliese but I really am fed up with reading total negativity about both on their former MP’s website and I have just posted to tell her so. Annaliese sounds great. Hopefully, she won’t get distracted by this person continuing to play out a drama that she has nothing to do with and should not become involved in.