Peter Landman finds cross party agreement on green development and a cashless economy

Candidates face a room of people — Photo: Age UK East London

Around 50 people attended the Age UK East London general election hustings for elderly people at Stratford Library on 19 June. Candidates appearing included Halima Khan (Workers Party of Great Britain); Richard Flowers (Liberal Democrats); Kane Blackwell (Conservatives); Fiona Lati, (Independent); Jon Mabbut (Social Democratic Party); Danny Keeling (Green Party); and Sir Stephen Timms (Labour).

In response to a question of the cost of living crisis, Labour, Lib Dems and Greens, all emphasised green policies that could lead to lower energy bills with reference to Labour’s proposal for a Great Britain Energy Company and the Lib Dem and Green proposals for nationwide insulation.

In addition, Labour’s Stephen Timms reported that a third of people eligible were not taking up Pension Credit and Danny Keeling highlighted the Green Party proposal to increase the minimum wage to £15 per hour.

A question on NHS waiting times prompted general discussion on the state of the NHS and the Greens challenged Labour policy on private health companies and were told that this was limited to first steps to reduce waiting times.

The Social Democrat Party also spoke in support of the Liberals’ proposal to create a National Care Service, which could lead to quicker hospital discharge and freeing up of beds.

Stephen Timms asked for more trusting relationships with NHS staff, in view of government distrust following the strikes and Halima Khan (Workers Party) proposed scrapping tuition fees for medical students, and lower administration costs.

Richard Flowers spoke on fixing our ancient hospital buildings, and more use of technology. Fiona Lati (Independent) asked why the nation should pay £3 million a year on the Trident Nuclear Submarine, and rather dramatically called for an end to British Imperialism.

The question on the digital divide highlighted problems for older people. The Chair, Mary Ann Foxwell, Chief Executive of Age UK East London, said that Age UK were regularly helping older people to get things online.

All candidates expressed opposition to a cashless economy and Kane Blackwall (Conservatives) and Richard Flowers advocated payment facilities in community banking and neighbourhood hubs.

In a discussion on how far older persons voices are being heard, Halima Khan (Independent) mentioned how she had been fascinated by her grandfather’s stories of Bangladesh’s fight for independence.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.