onionbagblog

The perennial problem for any political organisation is how to talk to the Little People. Tell it Like it is etc, and then let them decide if your message is meaningful or has no merit.

The Lambeth way is to use all types of third sector language twaddle. Stage an Expo; engage with the stakeholders. Watch Mr Mayor look rather uncomfortable as he is obliged to undergo some Thai Chi.

The Vauxhall Expo [urgh!] on Saturday afternoon at Spring Gardens was well intentioned. It was indeed actually rather community spirited. In terms of ticking the @lambeth_council boxes of engagement, consultation and participation, it probably just about worked.

Phew.

Funding is set aside each year for @lambeth_council to take what is essentially old school style Radio 1 Roadshows into the local community. Gurning politicians replace the gurning pop stars. Smiley Miley becomes #lambethcoop consultation.

You can see the logic in this approach. Inviting the locals into Lambeth Town Hall to see what the chuffers our hard working council is coming up with, would lead to a response rate attracting only loners and / or bored bloggers.

Spring Gardens on Saturday afternoon was rather ace. The locality of the splendid Vauxhall City Farm gave the event a wider appeal. The ever-present Dr Bike was accepting patients. Local organisations such as the Kennington, Oval & Vauxhall Forum and the Vauxhall Society were able to showcase their concerns.

In-between all the civic high jinks, and you could take the time to speak to to our wonderful local @LambethLabour councillors, or even take part in the bucket ‘n balls approach to the #lambethcoop consultation.

VOTE LABOUR said the sign being displayed by our Red Flag flying Comrades.

“Um, why should I vote Labour?” I politely asked the rather decent @SE11. I was optimistic about an answer involving free swimming for every resident, or perhaps the opportunity to sit on the Citizen-less Citizen’s Committee.

Instead I got the chance to guess the weight of a rather lovely looking home made cake. Let them eat it, I thought, but @SE11 was well humoured, as was the very, very fine @janeinlondon / E Hants.

We spoke about recent local campaigns, and I thanked our Comrades for their continued support in helping to resolve the bonkers 5am licence for Kelly’s boozer. So yeah – the aim of engagement had been achieved, and all over the lure of a home baked cake as well.

Elsewhere around Spring Gardens and it was great to share some gossip with @garethwyn, @markvauxhall, a somewhat straying @streathamaction and even @diamondgeezer – blimey!

@SE11_lurker was, um, lurking. A slight communication mishap, and whaddya know – the ever-diligent blogger had been delayed by scrutinising the finer details of the grand Vauxhall generation model in the nearby church. There’s dedication for you.

But as ever, it was #lambethcoop that got us all, um, co-operating. I stood aside as other local online folk took the great #lambethcoop balls ‘n bucket consultation.

Our host was passionate about the project, and keen to promote the benefits of the @LambethLabour election pledge. Our host was also an apolitical council officer, banding about the language of “savage Tory and LibDem cuts” as part of his apolitical brief.

Whoops.

And then with perfect timing for all of this hot air, a blust of wind blew away #lambethcoop. It wasn’t quite on par with the Three Little Pigs and the straw house, and I certainly wasn’t about to be scapegoated as the Big Bad Wolf.

Consultation complete – engagement ended.

Let’s hope that the power makers within Lambeth Town – be they political or apolitical – are actually listening to the Little People.

Mr Mayor’s Tai Chi was rather cool though.