Hackney's political ambassadors?

Yesterday another blogger (Stephen Glenn) noted the busy schedule of Meg Hillier's surgery organiser. In a story titled "Serial applicant heading (or not) for Livingston" he said: "As even my brief research showed this is the fifth seat in recent months she (Adenike Rachel Abimbola-Akindele) has been mentioned as being on the shortlist for."

Back in December she turned up in Thurrock hoping to replace Andrew Mackinlay - from the Thurrock Gazette

In October Blood and Property mentioned Abimbola-Akindele after the North West Evening Mail mentioned her fight for a Labour candidacy in the North West (Barrow):

She told the paper: “I have recruited many members since I became the chairperson of Queensbridge ward in Hackney.

“I also hold the post of the surgeries manager at Meg Hilliers’ (MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch) surgeries assisting the senior caseworker.”

A commentator on Labourhome was not a fan (comments section) and seemed to have done some similar research: "Adenike Rachel Abimbola-Akindele is a serial applicant who is putting her cv for most seats, she does not turn up at selections or go to the area but because she is a woman and BAME is always shortlisted. It’s a shame as it is blocking places for more worthwhile applicants who have worked the area for many weeks before nominations. Also, as can be seen in Barrow, she is being tactically nominated by some branches to ensure that their man (John Woodcock – Gordan’s Spad) faces less competition."

I don't know if these criticisms are fair but similar complaints have been levelled at Nargis Khan, another ambassador for Hackney politics, who is up north somewhere (Wigan) after leaving confusion in Haggerston and being de-selected from Dalston.

Hackney has the most CCTV cameras - and other news

A freedom of information request by the Lib Dems reveals that Hackney has the highest number of CCTV cameras. This piece on the Evening Standard website makes a case that the highest levels of CCTV are in areas with the poorest crime solving records... except in Hackney.

"Hackney has the most cameras - 1,484 - and has a better-than-average clearup rate of 22.2 per cent."

Hackney author Iain Sinclair criticised the high levels of CCTV funding in the borough (reported in The Hackney Post) back in March.

Hackney Homes CCTV Policy: "Most of the cameras on estates are fixed and cover a defined area. CCTV cameras on estates are primarily used to deter crime. The cameras identify perpetrators of crime and can assist in the apprehension of offenders and provide evidence for their prosecution."


Hackney Labour activist fights for seat in the North West: (Reported in North West Evening Mail)

Ms Abimbola-Akindele is the outsider in the contest but her description of her role in Hackney politics is interesting: “I have recruited many members since I became the chairperson of Queensbridge ward in Hackney.

“I also hold the post of the surgeries manager at Meg Hilliers’ (MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch) surgeries assisting the senior caseworker.”

Ms Abimbola-Akindele is a school governor, an executive committee member of Africans for Labour, a member of the Black Socialist Society, a governor of the East and the City University Mental Health NHS Trust and a charity fund-raiser.

This commentator on Labourhome is not a fan of Ms Abimbola-Akindele: "Adenike RachelAbimbola-Akindele is a serial applicant who is putting her cv for most seats, she does not turn up at selections or go to the area but because she is a woman and BAME is always shortlisted. It’s a shame as it is blocking places for more worthwhile applicants who have worked the area for many weeks before nominations. Also, as can be seen in Barrow, she is being tactically nominated by some branches to ensure that their man (John Woodcock – Gordan’s Spad) faces less competition."

Old tea in Hackney

Antigone Clarke, 63, of Hackney, east London, has been collecting and trading tea caddies for 30 years and has co-written a book, Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies & Society. She runs a shop called Antique Boxes at the Sign of the Hygra in Hackney. Story in This is Money.