For those of you who haven't seen it, the Echo has got a really good section of its website detailing lots of the ministerial events that took place today in Southampton as part of the historic Cabinet meeting.  I have to say I was a little bit proud, not because lots of famous people were descending on my city, but because the myriad of ministerial visits meant some really excellent local schemes were getting a little bit of the recognition they deserve.

Off the top of my head, here is a quick run-down of some of the events that took place today.

Gordon Brown, John Denham & Ed Balls at City College
Ed Miliband, Hazel Blears, Alan Whitehead & Richard Williams at the geothermal plant
Liam Byrne at Jamie's Computer Club
Alistair Darling at Milbrook Technology Campus
Phil Woolas at the Wheatsheaf Trust
Geoff Hoon visiting a large apprenticeship scheme in Gosport
Andy Burnham at the Quays
Lord Drayson at Southampton University
Jacqui Smith at Operation Stay Safe in Thornhill
Margaret Beckett at an eco-housing project in Woolston

I'm sure there were more, but that's all I can remember right now.  There were also meetings with local community and business leaders from both Southampton and the region.

Thanks to EVERYONE that made today happen, and to every organisation that hosted a visit.

What a day!

-Richard Green

With the Cabinet travelling to Southampton for its latest meeting outside of London, members in the South East were given the opportunity to a  2 ½ hour sit-down discussion with Deputy Leader Harriet Harman at Kell Hall this afternoon.

In this meeting we got a chance to talk and discuss our thoughts and questions. It was really useful and Harriet is quite articulate. I thought are discussion was really of some use as she wanted to hear really what we had to say.

-John-Paul Mattar

After a busy week, I was feeling a bit tired as I travelled with Tom, Greg, Richard and JP to the other side of Southampton on Saturday morning. Fortunately, the sun was shining and there was a bright blue sky to keep everyone motivated as we went door knocking in Sholing. Even with a group of ten altogether, including our local Southampton Itchen MP John Denham, there was plenty to do which was brilliant – no one was left bored!

I must admit some of the people we spoke to were undecided about the next election. At difficult times like this, people are really waiting to see what the government will do next, not just for the economy, but also for communities, families and for the elderly. In the news lately we’re led to believe that the Tories are 20 points ahead in the polls, but I saw no such swing to the Tories in Sholing. Nothing like it in fact. John Denham is still seen as a reliable MP and even with the economy as it is, there was no general attitude that now is time to put trust in the Conservatives. As Rich was saying in his blog about Shirley, door knocking really helps the party because people respect the fact that we are making the effort to listen to their concerns.

- Tom Sheppard

Thursday afternoon saw the return of Southampton Itchen MP John Denham to his alma mater, the University of Southampton. Appointed to the cabinet as Secretary of State for Innovations, Universities and Skills, John took questions from a healthy turnout of 40 or so students from right across the political spectrum as well as from members of the University’s media contingent, the Wessex Scene, Surge Radio and SUSU TV. After an early introduction detailing the aspects of his job, a newly created office, John answered questions from the floor with his usual good humour and conviction. A plethora of issues were explored, from questions about his new job to the topic of the government’s approach to the global financial crisis as well as more local issues relevant to John’s constituency. The session provided an excellent opportunity for the university’s students to ask their questions directly to a member of the Cabinet, and the University would like to thank John for taking the time out to participate in this event.

-Richard Thynne

Yesterday (18th Feb 09) Alan Whitehead MP held his first of many, I hope, workshops to promote and help those who want to make their homes more environmentally friendly and to cut their fuel bills.

Alan said "I want Southampton to be the most energy efficient city in the UK, something other cities can learn from."

At the workshop were an array of stalls to help; from the Energy Saving Trust, to Age Concern. Over 100 people turned up, many people from different circumstances and needs, and they were all met by the specific organisation that catered to it, i.e. cutting gas bill or acquiring subsidies for solar panels etc.

Overall it was a success with good feed back and appreciation for the workshop being organised and coordinated through Alan. Hopefully there will be more of these workshops around the city!

- John-Paul Mattar

Part 2 of our campaigning weekend was door-knocking in Shirley, followed by two different kinds of soup at our ward captain's house.  Shirley is considered by the Tories as a 'safe' ward for them- that's why I found it very interesting talking to a number of people who said they've never seen any Shirley Councillors (all Tory) do door-knocking, and they would consider voting Labour on the basis that we at least bothered to talk to them.  Clearly not a bad result!  I really can't see what their Tory Councillors are doing for the area- the roads in particular are in a terrible state.

- Rich Green

Tonight we phone canvassed.  I'm rather ashamed to say I didn't do a full session, as I was finishing up work stuff till late.  However, I always enjoy phone canvassing once I get started, because it is yet more evidence that voters are not the cynical anti-politics crowd that much of the media makes them out to be.  When I first started doing this kind of thing- phoning people up and asking them who they were voting for and what their main concerns were- I expected to get a constant stream of abuse and angry people putting the phone down.  The reality is that most people I speak to are OK with giving up a minute of their time to be part of a political conversation, so long as you don't patronise them and and they know you're really listening.  The most common reaction I now get when I phone someone up and ask for a minute of their time to talk about politics is 'Yeah, go on then.'  Enough voters 'get' the importance of politics, and they are open to being persuaded by the power of an argument.  That's all we can ever ask for.

- Rich Green

We braved the sub-zero temperatures in Southampton today to knock on
doors in Highfield. We've been out in the community a lot recently,
listening to people's concerns and addressing their issues.

One Labour voter was keen that we don't take our eye of the green
agenda while focusing on economic recovery. As we discussed with Chuka
Umunna last week, these two things needn't be mutually exclusive.

We also spoke to a former member who had left the Party due to a lack
of time to help out. I think this underlines the need to change the
way we meet and campaign to fit around members' busy schedules and
changing lifestyles.

If you live in Portswood and would like to get more involved please do
get in touch through the website. There are plenty of different ways
that you can help out in the local community and spread Labour's
message.

Greg Sandford - Portswood Ward Organiser

I am pleased that the Labour Party in Southampton has really got back to 'grass-roots' campaigning. When Greg Sandford (Youth and Students Officer) returned from working on the Obama campaign it re-enthused the party, and campaigning has been a real joy; connecting, listening and helping those in the community. I'm glad this has been the case. Its the return to roots issues that reminds people of what the Labour party can achieve here in Southampton. Well I look forward to going door-knocking tomorrow!

- John-Paul Mattar

Last Saturday we had a good opportunity to mix campaigning with policy work.
A group of us went out door-knocking and talking to residents in Bevois
ward, before heading off to a policy seminar organised by Compass with Alan
Whitehead, John Denham, and Chuka Umunna
<http://www.streathamlabour.org.uk/> , the young and very very good Labour
PPC for Streatham.  That's really my ideal about how all politics should
work- the people who go out on the doorstep being listened to for policy
ideas, and people interested primarily in policy staying in touch with
ordinary voters, to stop us all drifting too far off into the realms of
whimsy.

The Compass workshop itself raised some interesting ideas, on future
policies for improving skills, and for using energy policy to promote social
justice.  I particularly liked Alan and Chuka's talk on tradeable air miles
and who such a system would benefit.

Just to prove it's not all glamorous stuff, while out door-knocking we also
discovered a massive pile of rubbish someone had dumped on the side of one
the roads, and one of Labour Councillors out with us (Derek Burke) contacted
the Council to get it cleared away.  I'd expect to find more and more
rubbish in the roads now the Tories have abolished the additional clear up
service for student households.

- Rich Green