Queue to get into Tory meeting—how East End has changed

Dear Ed, LAST week’s Conservative Party primary’ to select a Parliamentary candidate for Bethnal Green & Bow at the next General Election was a sign of how much the East End of London has changed during the past 20 years. The meeting was delayed due to the number of people wanting to attend. Even then, the organisers had to turn people away

Dear Ed,

LAST week’s Conservative Party primary’ to select a Parliamentary candidate for Bethnal Green & Bow at the next General Election was a sign of how much the East End of London has changed during the past 20 years.

The meeting was delayed due to the number of people wanting to attend. Even then, the organisers had to turn people away to allow it to begin. And that’s a Tory event in the heart of the East End!

The use of open meetings as a means of selecting candidates has previously been successful in attracting non-party members to a political meeting. That was certainly the case for most of the 200 audience on March 10, who listened to the three candidates before making their choice.

It was a surprise, therefore, to learn the following day that the vote was declared invalid’ and a rerun would be arranged in the summer.

Whatever the reason, the outcome raises concerns about the General Election next year and the local Town Hall elections if a candidate selection meeting has to be rerun.

One question remains from last Tuesday night’s selection for Bethnal Green & Bow—why did the local Conservative Party choose St Mary’s & St Michael’s community hall down in Shadwell and not in the constituency itself?

Terry McGrenera

Devons Road, Bromley-by-Bow.