John Cryer (Labour) – so no surprises there.

In the local elections, Labour pretty much swept the board in Leytonstone, with the Conservatives doing likewise in Snaresbrook and Wanstead.

Bit of strange constituency really Leyton and Wanstead, with such a big political contrast across it. The folks in Wanstead must be pretty frustrated – they return a full house of Conservative councillors every election but have no chance of ever voting in a Conservative MP … made more sense when it used to be Wanstead and Woodford really I guess.

In our recent poll, 60% of people who responded rating current Leyton and Wanstead MP Harry Cohen in the “Glad to see the back of him” category. So, time for a fresh face, and with the 2010 General Election looming, who are the main contenders to replace him?

John Cryer (Labour)

Born in Yorkshire but moved to London when he was 18 and has spent most of his time since then in East London.

In 1997 he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Hornchurch.

He is on the left-wing of the Labour Party and is a member of the Socialist Campaign Group. He has worked for the left-wing “Tribune” and “Morning Star” publications, for Aslef and the Transport and General Workers Union (now Unite). He is a Eurosceptic.

As Member of Parliament for Hornchurch, he had a record as a rebel. He voted against tuition fees and top-up fees for higher education, against cuts in lone parent benefits (the first major rebellion under the Blair government) and against the Iraq war. He led the successful campaign to save the Ford Dagenham car plant.

For further info see www.leytonandwansteadlabour.org.uk.

Ed Northover (Conservative)

Originally from Liverpool, Ed moved to London in 2001 to become a corporate lawyer after graduating from Oxford.

He moved to Leytonstone several years ago, and has been a Waltham Forest councillor for Larkswood Ward since 2009.

For further info see www.ednorthover.com.

Farooq Qureshi (Liberal Democrats)

A local resident for 35 years, Farooq is a Waltham Forest councillor for Forest Ward.

Farooq served as mayor for Waltham Forest from May 2006 to May 2007.

For further info see leyton-wansteadlibdems.org.uk.

After 27 years as MP for Leyton / Leyton and Wanstead, Harry Cohen will be stepping down in 2010 following the wide-ranging parliamentary expenses scandal. But has Harry done a good job for his constituents over the course of his career? Please vote in our current poll (see the sidebar).

Unfortunately it seems the long awaited and much needed refurb of Leytonstone Underground Station has been delayed. Quote from Leytonstone Labour’s October 2009 Residents’ Report…

As some of you may know Leytonstone Tube Station was due shortly to have a much needed and significant refurbishment programme totalling some £5m plus. What you may not know is that buried within the announcements by the Mayor of London – Boris Johnson – regarding his fare hikes, was an announcement postponing refurbishment works to a number of tube stations including Leytonstone.

The works were due to include the replacement of customer information systems such as the PA system, Help Points and lighting and potentially also some other work to improve the appearance and access of the station.

We intend to write to Boris Johnson, expressing our disappointment at this turn of affairs and seek assurances that this much needed investment into Leytonstone’s well used infrastructure is not lost
indefinitely.

With Clyde Loakes stepping down because he plans to run for MP in the next general election, our new council leader in Waltham Forest is Chis Robbins from Grove Green ward.