I’m 48, I’ve lived in Rugby since 2006, and have brought up my family here. I’ve been a school governor at Northlands Primary School and a charity trustee of Warwickshire Young Carers. I was born in Manchester and grew up in Gloucestershire where I attended the local state comprehensive school before going to Durham University.
I’ve been an active member of the Labour party since I was 17 (1992).
I’ve been a Councillor candidate several times and last May was elected as a Rugby Borough Councillor for New Bilton ward.
I’m our spokesperson on infrastructure and the local plan, and I have led our communications operation. This played a vital role in our campaign strategy that succeeded in winning four seats from the Tories in two years, taking us to No Overall Control and giving our Councillors more influence than for many years.
I have gained a wide variety of valuable experiences over the years: I worked at McDonald’s through the 6th form and university. After graduating from Durham University, I spent over two years as a hospital porter after while playing in a rock band that was played on Radio 1. After returning to Durham and gaining a Master’s in international relations, I worked for Labour MPs in Parliament 2003-2006, mostly for the late Ann Clwyd, supporting her in her role as Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Since then I’ve worked in public affairs and strategic communications consulting companies, in the UK and internationally, and I’m now a Partner leading teams delivering communications at major international events.
Music and the creative arts have always been important to me, as a former rock musician who played in a Rugby band, and classical musician. I am strongly committed to promoting this for all.
WHY?
I am seeking the opportunity to be Rugby’s next Labour MP because residents deserve so much better than the decline and poor leadership they have had from our Conservative Borough and County Council, MP and national government.
I’ve always believed passionately that a fairer and more prosperous society is achievable. It is clear that, with a Labour MP elected in Rugby and a Labour government elected nationally, we can deliver the positive change that is so desperately needed.
We can only halt and reverse the Tory decline by securing a Labour victory. I believe that there is a moral duty to use government to bring about a fairer more prosperous society for all. I also know that good democratic government works as Labour demonstrated in office.
My campaign motto is ‘Together We Can’…
- By working as one united team in our local CLP, utilising the talents of all, we can win.
- By working together with all parts of the community, we can build a better Rugby, by regenerating our economy, restoring pride in our town that has such a rich heritage, tackling any challenges and much more.
- There is huge potential for an active Labour MP to work effectively with a future Labour administration at Rugby Borough Council and Labour Government that believes in empowering local communities who have an ambitious and practical vision for their area.
Together, we will be able to tackle the damage caused by this disastrous Tory government and build a better Rugby that is more prosperous and fairer for all.
Together We Can represents my political philosophy: there is no simple solution but by working together we can meet any challenge.
HOW?
I have the skills and experience needed to win back the seat, and to be an effective MP for the whole community, a confident advocate for local interests, with a compassionate commitment to helping people in need.
- I worked for nearly three years for one of the most effective backbench MPs – Ann Clywd – I know what an MP can do to raise the profile of Rugby, and to fight injustice. I understand the way the House of Commons operates and what it takes to achieve results for constituents as well as engaging effectively central government.
- I’ve shown in the Rugby council chamber and in meetings with stakeholders that I am an effective public speaker, able to challenge the Conservatives, explain a complicated policy issue and inspire people about an important cause such as youth engagement, or housing. I’m a caring politician and work hard to take up the cases of my constituents and secure results for them.
- I’m an energetic and confident campaigner who enjoys knocking on doors talking to residents and engaging with them, whatever their political views. Recently I have been actively involved in writing much of the campaign literature recently and developing the strategy.
- I have an innovative campaign strategy that has as its number one objective: to win this seat for Labour. The strategy will engage with the right audiences in the most compelling way. It will use the full range of campaign techniques to make sure that our positive vision for Rugby and the country is understood. It will aim to inspire both activists and supporters.
- I understand the issues. As a Borough Councillor I see first-hand how Tory cuts to public services and council budgets have impacted the most vulnerable in society, whose interests I am determined to defend. I have been our spokesperson on housing, and am now our spokesperson on infrastructure and the Local Plan. I was involved in formulating our political position as a Labour Group.
- I listen first, and then I lead. I investigate issues through direct contact with the people concerned. I have accompanied the Community Wardens and Street Pastors on their shifts, attended numerous public events, and I organise community meetings with local police officers. I am also engaging with community activists such as the New Cross Fire campaigners and a young action sports community leader in my ward. I’ve set up organisations, led campaigns, led teams in difficult circumstances and have the leadership skills to bring the CLP together and lead a winning campaign.
- Having been involved in national politics, I have a good understanding of key political issues and have always valued opportunities to air such issues as they arise. Through this, I have been able to develop innovative and practical ideas. As an MP I will seek to engage in policy making and bring my own and Rugby’s voice to the table.
- I have the right approach for Rugby. At work and in politics, I get on with people no matter their background, age, or status may be. My approach is to bring people together, to persuade and to include people in the solution. In a marginal seat where a key priority will be to earn the trust of people who have previously been voting Conservative, my Together We Can approach will be vital.
- I get things done. a Councillor, I’ve secured concessions from the Tory administration on Houses in Multiple Occupation, on the need for a new Landlords’ Forum, and on the need for the council to consult our young people. I sit on the 6-strong Town Centre Regeneration Working Group where I am promoting Labour’s ideas such as more social housing, an indoor skate park, an innovation and entrepreneurs hub and better music and cultural venues. I’m currently working with my colleague Cllr Rob Barnett to bring together stakeholders to boost the live music scene.In 2011 I set up in my spare time the new policy forum Pragmatic Radicalism designed to stimulate policy debate by encouraging audience members to pitch policy ideas. This is my approach – Together We Can.
MY VISION FOR RUGBY?
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. As your Labour MP, I will be able to work effectively with a Labour-run Borough Council that is reversing decades of Tory neglect, and a Labour government at Westminster, which is committed to devolving power and responsibility to local councils. Together, we will be able to achieve so much more for Rugby. My priorities are:
- A sophisticated economic regeneration strategy that links our skills providers with local and regional businesses and universities to provide the well-paid, high-skilled jobs and opportunities, particularly for young people, so that more of our talented people and businesses make their futures here, with entrepreneurs and small enterprises utilising a new Innovation Hub in the town and businesses thriving.
- A revitalised town centre that’s culturally and economically vibrant and puts Rugby firmly on the West Midlands map where it belongs, with better public space, pedestrian and cycle routes, and where the right developers build assets that put the community first.
- Better infrastructure for our expanding community: the Conservatives have allowed housing developments without insisting on the GP surgeries, dentists, public transport and community facilities that people deserve. I will work to change this through better use of planning legislation and utilising the Community Investment Levy, Section 106 funds and grants to build better infrastructure.
- Improved healthcare services: I am discussing how to improve health provision in Rugby with council officers, healthcare leaders, and Labour politicians. I will work to secure expanded services at St Cross, as well as explore a Super Health Hub which brings health to the high street with integrated GP, dentistry and diagnostics. We need pragmatic but innovative solutions, not unrealistic campaign slogans from the Tories.
- A more compassionate societywith better public services that protect and support the vulnerable and provide a strong foundation for us all, that are brought under closer local democratic control, to ensure a stronger community that anticipates problems not merely reacts to them.
- Action on the cost of living crisis: backing Labour’s plans to reduce energy bills, working businesses and stakeholders to provide goods to people who need them through a Multibank as pioneered by Gordon Brown and the Trussell Trust.
- A safer community with action to tackle anti-social behaviour and criminality more effectively thanks to better community liaison.
- A greener and cleaner environment for all to enjoy with more green spaces and better use of electric car charging, cycle paths and pedestrian routes.
- Listening to and engaging with young people through proper consultation and a Youth Forum, to bring their voices and ideas to the heart of decision-making and long-term planning for Rugby.
PLEASE SUPPORT ME TO BE YOUR NEXT TO SUPPORT MP…
Local members of the Labour Party will be selecting their next Prospective Parliamentary Candidate soon and I ask them to support me.
I will work with the community for a Rugby that is confident and secure and plays an active role in restoring fairness and prosperity in our constituency and our country.
I have the experience, skills, and vision to bring this to life.
