Becoming a candidate

I am very excited to have been selected as a Labour candidate for Village Ward for the elections to Southwark Council in May. I have been a member of the party for most of my life (despite occasional disagreements over policy directions in the early 80's!). Now I have a chance to do what I enjoy most - using my considerable energies for the community in which I live. Currently, Village Ward has one Labour councillor, Michelle Pearce, and two Tories. We hope to claim all three seats for Labour in May. To our advantage, all three of us - myself, Michelle and Kate Cinamon - actually live in the ward, unlike the three Tories, so we do know what goes on locally and very quickly pick up problems and concerns. We know that many people are worried about the level of council tax. Fortunately we can promise the electors that we will keep any council tax increase at or below the rate of inflation until 2009.We also know people are worried about local street crime (I have personal experience of this as both my children have been "mugged"). We promise to be tough on crime but also to understand that there is a need to provide activities for young people to keep them off the street. We are keen to provide extended use of schools for clubs and sporting activities and for the wider benefit of the community.