I joined the Labour Party when I was 17 (1992). I have campaigned regularly since then, taking part in CLP activities wherever possible and attending party conference.
In 1996-7 I volunteered for my local parliamentary candidate, Diana Organ and then volunteered and worked for her in her constituency office when she became an MP.
From 2003-6 I worked for several Labour MPs in the House of Commons, most notably the late Rt Hon Ann Clywd, whom I supported in her capacity as Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group and Prime Minister’s special envoy to Iraq.
I have been a frequent local election candidate, in London once and in Rugby six times since 2006 when I made the town my home.
In 2022 I was elected as a Councillor on Rugby Borough Council. I am an active member of the Labour Group, working closely with the Group leaders to develop and implement the strategy.
I served on Planning Committee for a year. I’m currently serving on the Audit and Ethics Committee, and two working groups: the Town Centre Regeneration Working Group and Climate Emergency Working Group.
I’m our spokesperson on infrastructure and the Local Plan. I take a leading role in the Council chamber during debates.
I was Rugby CLP Vice-Chair (Membership) in Rugby from 2012-2014 and also served as press officer and led our campaign against the closure of Birch Ward at St Cross Hospital.
I am currently a member of the Executive Committee working on communications. For the last two local election cycles I have led our media and social media communications activities, which saw a noticeable uptick in coverage and engagement.
I have organised fundraisers, including with Shadow Cabinet Minister Baroness Royall and most recently, with our Labour candidate for West Midlands Mayor, Richard Taylor.
In 2011, I co-founded the new policy forum Pragmatic Radicalism, that we designed to stimulate policy debate by encouraging audience members to pitch policy ideas at Top of the Policies events. I devised the format, and ensured that Labour shadow cabinet ministers chaired the events. PragRad also published two pamphlets with multiple authors, that I edited. I also gained funding for refreshments from trade unions and others.
I’m a former member of the National Parliamentary Panel.
