About Me
Last modified: 9 December 2009
I grew up in Swindon in a typical family (my dad was an electrician and my mum spent most of her time looking after me and my brother). Politics was never a part of my upbringing – heated discussion was more likely to be about football than anything else!
I was the first person in my family to go to university and it was there where my political views were shaped. Debating right-wing students on subjects like famine in Africa or inner-city crime opened my eyes to what the Tories are really like. My encounters with the sons and daughters of our privileged classes made me determined to fight for those who aren’t so fortunate.
I moved to London in 1999 and for the last 7 years I have lived in Lewisham, with my partner Martin, who grew up in Blackheath. I have worked as a parliamentary researcher for Joan Ruddock MP, have run a national campaign for Clothes Aid and have been an unpaid Director of a number of companies, including the leading economic development company Greater London Enterprise.
Since 2004 I have been a Labour Councillor for one of Lewisham’s most deprived wards. I am acutely aware of the impact that politics has on the lives of our poorest citizens. For the last three years I have been Lewisham’s fulltime Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and I have seen at first hand how decisions taken by government affect local public services.
I am passionate about what the Labour Party stands for – fairness, equality and concern for our neighbours here and overseas. I want to stand up for our community in Parliament, rebuild trust in politics and work to address the inequality and injustice that still exists in our society.
The public’s faith in politicians has been shaken recently and at a time when the country is grappling with a challenging economic climate, Lewisham East needs an MP who can be trusted, who has integrity and who will work tirelessly for our community. My track record shows that I would serve the constituency in this way, just as Bridget Prentice has done over the last 17 years.
