Secretary's Annual Report 2001

  Introduction

2001 was quite different from the previous year. There were momentous world events and a general election in the UK. More parochially, we had another good year in Deane-cum-Heaton, a succession of excellent guest speakers at Branch meetings, stable membership and two successful fundraising socials.

The year ahead may be difficult for Labour nationally but we have an even more tricky task - to take Deane-cum-Heaton from the Tories at the local elections as part of our defence of a Labour Bolton. In addition, we face the prospect of ward boundary changes in the next couple of years that could alter our Party branch completely.

  2001 The Year

2001 will be mainly remembered for two things - Labour's second historic landslide in successive general elections and the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington with the aftermath that they brought.

We would have thought that a general election in which our party recorded a second successive landslide would be cause for celebration and for sure it was. Our majority decreased slightly, from 179 in 1997 to 167 with the main beneficiaries being the Liberal Democrats. But our government that was elected on 7th June is haunted by the spectre of a turnout of only 59.4%, the lowest in British democratic history. There were more than 5½ million registered voters who didn't bother to go to the polling stations and if all those entitled to vote had done so another 18 million people would have taken part.

Both nationally and locally the campaign was much more low key than in 1997. The Tories had thought that by appealing to the Thatcherite true believers, with a mix of Eurosceptic anti-Brussels policies and attacks on asylum seekers, criminals and trendies, by the use of thinly veiled racist rhetoric and by belittling anything decent in society, they would improve their position. Thankfully that was not the case and whilst they probably did stop a complete collapse of their core vote, they completely failed to win new voters over.

The Lib Dems rather old fashioned campaign of better services for higher taxes did better than expected and Charles Kennedy came over better as a politician than as a game show participant.

But it is we, easily returned to power, who have most to worry about from the massive abstentions. We still don't know for sure why voters didn't turn out. Perhaps there was a feeling of inevitability that Labour would win, maybe voters believed more than ever that there was not much between the parties and that little would change however they voted. And, of course, the final year of our first government was dogged by fuel protests, the fury of pensioners over their derisory increase and the foot and mouth disaster. Perhaps there was a belief that all politicians are the same and not really worthy of many electors precious votes. Whatever the cause it's up to us activists in politics to work hard to try to turn around this alarming trend.

The campaign itself was not very exciting but there were a few bright spots- Tony Blair being faced by a furious woman over the state of the health service and "Johnny Two Fists'" altercation with a peaceful egg-throwing Welsh hunt supporter, both on the day when our manifesto was being launched! Though there were few, if any, memorable speeches or true political moments.

However, there seems to have been a subtle change in direction since the election. Whatever happened to "privatisation" of NATS (the air traffic control system), PPP for the London Underground and other controversial first term policies? It seems to be more and more recognised that public services will only improve with a huge and sustained injection of public money and there are even hints that taxes might have to rise to provide the necessary finance. The 2001 - 2005 Labour government will be judged on whether or not it has saved our crucial public services.

The Tories jettisoned Hague and most of his cronies but then selected the "bone-dry" Eurosceptic Duncan Smith as leader. So far he has failed magnificently to impress and long may he continue to do so.

Locally, there was much less fun and razzmatazz to our general election campaign and it was more difficult to get our workers out than in 1997. However, with the resources that we had we fought an effective campaign.

Joyce, Simon and Vicky, helped by John M., were our branch organisers and did an incredible job. We never seemed to stop delivering copies of The Rose newsletter and very many branch members responded to our calls for help. Some delivered a few leaflets, whilst others working morning, noon and night to get the message across. Graham, as ever spent almost the whole campaign glued to a keyboard inputting the voter ID return, poor fellow!

We had visits from Ian McCartney, Gordon Brown, Yvette Cooper, Mo Mowlam, Geoff Hoon, Charles Clark, Jack straw and John Prescott but not the "Great and Beloved Leader" and achieved an excellent result.

Ruth's majority was 5,518, down from 7,072 but excellent considering the poor turnout (665 compared with 77%). The Tories barely increased their position but the Lib Dems did well with an 8% increase in their share of the vote. Ruth was appointed to her first Ministerial position - Economic Secretary to the Treasury and our warm congratulation and best wishes go to her.

The other main event of 2001 was the horrific terrorist attacks on New York and Washington and the inevitable US reaction to them. It's not that I don't think these attacks were amongst the most dastardly acts ever, but bombing the hell out of the poorest country in the world isn't going to solve anything in the long run. Two wrongs don't make a right and fighting violence with peace and tackling its causes are the only way.

The support for the campaign against terrorism is vital but the sight of Tony Blair scurrying around the world, as the US "Foreign Secretary" is demeaning at the very least. The campaign must be against all forms of terrorism - Israeli, Palestinian, Irish, Basque and that amongst every other desperate and disposed group in the world. Only by solving the problems of famine, poverty, inequality, prejudice, dispossession and many, many others will the causes of terrorism be dealt with.

Away from the world stage we continue to work away at local level as best as we are able. The Branch AGM in January turned up few surprises with virtually the same team (the "usual suspects") being elected to run the Branch. I was appointed Secretary; Graham, Chair; Pauline and Eve, Vice-Chairs; George Treasurer and Joyce, Membership Secretary. We had a full complement of six Constituency Party delegates and Amal was our delegate to the Bolton Local Government Committee.

  Our Membership in 2001

We ended the year with about XXX members, slightly down on the previous year, Joyce continuing her tremendous job of keeping our list up to date, weeding out the non-payers, those who've moved, disappeared or were simply no longer interested! I'm very sorry to learn that due to family commitments and for other reasons she will not be able to continue with this work, which she has carried out "above and beyond the call of duty".

  John Ferguson

The saddest and most poignant event of 2001 was the passing of one of our most loved members, John Ferguson at the age of 80 years. It's appropriate to repeat the tribute that Graham paid at the Branch meeting following his death:

"I think it's fair to say that John was an inspiration to all who knew him. He was a man who took life very seriously. He knew, and did his utmost to fulfil, his responsibilities. To his family - Pauline and his seven children who he loved dearly; his community, which he served as a GP from before the birth of the NHS until well after his nominal retirement age; and the world at large, through his work for Socialism and life-long support of the Labour Party.

However, the one thing he didn't take seriously was himself, there wasn't a pompous bone in his body; he was always a source of fun and laughter. I'm sure we all have happy and fond memories of John, but I remember being out campaigning with him on a rare very sunny day, when someone expressed concern about the effect the sun might have on his balding head. He replied, "This isn't a bald head, it's a solar panel for a sex machine! ".

He was much loved and will be sorely missed by us all."

We dedicated our 2001 General Election Campaign to John. He will never be forgotten.

  Fund-raising

George continued his management of the Branch funds, until poor health forced him to take a back seat towards the end of the year. A full statement of our accounts is presented separately.

We held two social events during the year. First was our "free to members" Real New Millennium Party in January, which, although not supposed to be a fundraiser, brought in well needed funds. This was mainly thanks to Gary Titley's magnificent arm-twisting on the raffle and generous donations of food, etc. from several members.

Then there was the traditional Annual Midsummer Barbecue at Graham and Anne's house. The weather was good (as always!) and we had an excellent time as well as making a major contribution to Branch funds. The evening ended much later than usual with Graham and John M. accompanying on guitars the "cats' chorus" of a few of us on vocals! The two events raised over £350 towards our finances.

The Branch's main fundraiser, the Deane-cum-Heaton Stakeholder Society (100 Club) continues to operate successfully and contributed a net income of over £X,XXX. The 100 Club membership has increased slightly to about XX by the year-end. But it includes several contributors who are no longer Party members or have moved to other Branches. Therefore, if we are to fully fund our own Branch's activities and help other sections of the Party wherever possible, we need more members.

Branch funds currently stand at over £X,XXX and we were able to donate £X,XXX to the Bolton West general election campaign - the largest single contribution that it received.

  Branch Meetings

Branch meetings have been generally well attended with 12 to 20 members usually being present. We've been very fortunate in that several members have continued to offer their homes as venues and my special thanks to Graham and Anne, Pauline, Alan and Joyce, Anne and Leilia.

We were quite successful in getting guest speakers to our meetings:

	January	Gary Titley, MEP
	February	Ruth Kelly, MP
	March	Bolton Council Leader Bob Howarth
	July	John Cross (first ever open air meeting)
	September	Cllr. Clifford Morris
	October	Ruth Kelly, MP (jointly with Smithills and Horwich Branches)
	November	Jim Hollyman of Fair Trade
	December	Gary Titley, MEP (jointly with Smithills and Horwich Branches)

Most gratifying has been the vigour and enthusiasm with which members have entered into the discussions regardless of whether or not there has been a speaker.

We would like to continue to have a guest speaker at as many meetings as possible and suggestions of who to invite will be most welcome.

However, the experimental joint meetings with Horwich and Smithills branches were not the success I had hoped they would be, with a lower turnout of our own members and small numbers from the other Branches, in fact none from Smithills in December!

  Surf the Web With Deane-Cum-Heaton

During the year I've continued to keep the Branch's Internet Web site up to date, have completely rebuilt it and have moved it to a permanent new location - http://www.boltonwest.org. Shortly after each Branch meeting there is a summary with what took place and a link to any talk given by a guest speaker. In addition there are some photographs from a few "key events" in our year. Take a look, you could be there!

There was comprehensive coverage of the general election campaign and it's still there if you feel a nostalgic moment coming on! I continue to get responses to the site, although not all are complimentary. However, all messages left in the guest book are left there for at least six months regardless. We've had almost 2,000 visitors since the counter was reset in July 2001 and the number of hits seems to be increasing year by year.

  Local Election '2002

Thankfully, there were no local elections this year. Remember when the Euro elections followed the local elections in 1999! The Branch, in a fit of madness, selected your truly to be its local election candidate on Thursday May 2nd and I am honoured to have been chosen. Labour has never won Deane-cum-Heaton in its present form and I see the importance of the coming campaign in terms of:

	Giving every elector in the ward the opportunity to vote for the party of their choice
	Making sure that Labour is a recognised force within the ward
	Maximising the Labour vote at the 2005/6 general election

More important still is to prevent Bolton becoming a Tory/Lib Dem coalition council. We only have to lose four seats to make this likelihood and it will be vital for our active members to help out as much as possible in other Bolton West wards where we are defending Labour seats. Labour has achieved a great deal during its stewardship of Bolton and we owe it to those most in need of what we have to offer, even if they don't always go out and vote, to ensure success in May 2002.

  Thanks

2001 was a mixed year. Of course we were elated to have retained Bolton West in the general election but many of us were dismayed at the dreadful turnout and it was a much harder campaign to fight that many of us had imagined. The campaign song was rubbish too. What's wrong with "Things can Only Get Better"!

As Secretary I am happy to have served the Branch for another year but it would have been impossible for me to carry out my job without the help and support of very many Party members. I would therefore like to specially thank Graham, George, Pauline, Eve and Joyce, the other Branch Officers and all those ordinary members without whose help we would have been a pointless debating society.

Most of all, though, I would like to thank Noelene, my wife, who as well as with continuing her very hectic life as a student has had to put up with me constantly monopolising the computer so much of the time and has supported me throughout the year.

Thank you and best wishes for 2002.

John Gillatt
Branch Secretary
January 2002