Friday was the turn of Rt Hon Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Affairs, to visit Liverpool.
In the early evening he came to the LP office to meet local party members for a chat about the campaign for the local elections, he also gave the opportunity of a chat with Leon, one of our newest members, who now has British Citizenship but who is originally from the Congo.
Hilary was hoping to come out knocking on doors with the K&F Labour team but he was kept late having a vigorous conversation with politics students at Liverpool JMU and then had to negotiate the traffic jam nightmare that is Edge Lane at the moment while the highways improvements are taking place.
We had a good talk though and Leon in particular was made-up that simply by putting his hand up and joining the Labour Party, the doors have been opened to him to meet and discuss issues of huge importance to him with key political figures.
We went on to the Devonshire House Hotel for a Labour Party dinner, geared at fundraising and socialising and strengthening our bonds with each other.
Guess what we ate? Yeah, roast beef and yorkshire pudding and strawberry shortcake to follow.
Deja Vu writ large!
Hilary was the after-dinner speaker and spoke very well, particularly about his Ministerial brief and the wonderful work Labour has done in the developing world in the last ten years, fighting aids, poverty, lack of schooling, clearing debt and bringing hope to millions. It was very moving.
I really enjoyed myself, allowing myself a few glasses of wine with all my mates.
There was dancing, singing, lots of hugs and kisses and a real family feeling.
I have really "come home" in Liverpool, I dont feel lonely or fed-up or frustrated by a lack of progress, instead I am now thoroughly embedded both in the community where I live, the community I represent and with my new Labour Party family.
It's a great life, just watch some bastard spoil it (as a badge I used to wear once said)
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