<![CDATA[An introduction]]>“I have reached a point in my life where I have decided that I have to take more action.  I have always endeavoured to develop personally and professionally and I now have the skills and confidence to be able to take more of a stand to champion what is right, challenge what is wrong and help others to do the same.

I want to work in line with Labour Party values of striving for a better and fairer society, safety and accessibility to healthcare for all as well as accessible housing in a sustainable environment.  I believe that access to education of academic and life skills can lead to fair employment, independence and a healthy economy that we can all contribute to.

I want to challenge divisiveness, injustice and exclusion and provide a voice to members of our community who feel disillusioned or side-lined.

I believe my experiences, both professionally and personally, combined with my communication skills and capability make me an excellent candidate for the role of a councillor in Sefton.”

This is my statement. It is the statement I considered and drafted in support of my application last Summer to stand to be a councillor in the local elections that are due to take place on May 7th 2020.

I was invited to an interview and delighted when I passed this and made the list of candidates for consideration across the borough.

I was very pleased to be shortlisted by my home ward, Kew. I live in Kew, and I was even born here at the Christiana Hartley Maternity Hospital. Christiana Hartley herself was a resident of Southport for much of her life, having moved here as a child.

Christiana Hartley was an inspirational philanthropist and campaigner, and even Southport’s first female Mayor. I like to think she would be pleased to have seen that when Southport elected its first two Labour councillors since the formation of Sefton in 1974, they were both women!

I am inspired by strong women in the past, our party and my own family and if I am elected in May I will use this inspiration, and support and be the best councillor I can be.

In Kew Ward we already have two marvellous councillors; Janis Blackburne and Sean Halsall. They have been kind enough to let me shadow them and I have campaigned for and with both of them so I have an idea of what the role entails, and I am keen to join them and strengthen the voice of our residents even further.

Traditionally, there is around a six month run from selection to election, but this year has been a little different due to the General Election in December 2019, so we have a little less time this year. However, we do have the same drive and determination; maybe even more.

My campaign for election officially launches on Sunday 23rd February 2020 – Let the hard work begin!

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