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Tag: Speeches

  • Gurinder Singh Josan – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    Gurinder Singh Josan – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    The candidate statement from Gurinder Singh Josan.

    Candidate Statement

    After four defeats, the Labour Party must win the next General Election and elect Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.

    I was elected to the NEC in the two recent elections and have worked tirelessly to help rebuild our organisation, fix our complaints systems, improve transparency and help make Labour into an election winning Party again. I hope to continue that work.

    I’m a Labour Party member of 34 years, Chair of Trustees at HOPE not Hate Charitable Trust, Vice Chair of Sikhs for Labour, Secretary of my Unite Branch, a school Governor and Central Council member of Socialist Health Association.

    The Labour Party has been and can again be the progressive alliance that delivers change. But to deliver change we must end factionalism and become again the ‘broad-church’ Labour Party that wins elections. Our values have always allowed members to differ on policy matters but we must be united on working to win power. It is only then that we can hope to renew, reconnect and rebuild trust with voters who have left us.

    Our community’s desperately need a Labour Government and I’ll ensure that is the NEC’s most important priority.

    Please also nominate Akehurst, Baxter, Duale, Thomas.

  • Deborah Hodson – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    Deborah Hodson – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    The candidate statement from Deborah Hodson.

    Candidate Statement

    Deborah is a socialist African Caribbean woman, trade unionist and long-standing activist in the Camberwell and Peckham CLP and nationally in the labour movement. For more than a decade, she has campaigned for the Labour Party. Deborah is her CLP BAME Officer, working to recruit under-represented people to Labour and get them actively involved in one of the most deprived areas of the country.

    Black women are among the most deprived people in society and the most badly affected by the Tory government’s devastating policy of austerity and cuts and should therefore be in the forefront of the working-class fight-back. As an NEC member Deborah would fight for and be accountable to Labour members who need a strong voice at this crucial time for our party. She believes that the racism and attacks on Black communities in the UK that have resulted in the Grenfell fire tragedy, the Windrush scandal and continuing police brutality against Black men that reignited the Black Lives Matter movement, demand strong Black advocates in the Labour Party and wider labour movement. Deborah would oppose unfair disciplinary action against members and promote the value of natural justice.

    Deborah is a documentary filmmaker and visual artist.

  • Peter John Goodair – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    Peter John Goodair – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    The candidate statement from Peter John Goodair.

    Candidate Statement

    I have been a lifelong supporter of the Labour Party. I am passionate about the need to bring about a fairer society, remove poverty and homelessness and address the underlying factors causing them. As a member of the NEC I will argue strongly for policies that will help deliver these objectives as well as improving the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged citizens. I also believe in the importance of improving public transport and implementing measures to combat climate change. I believe in the need for progressive taxation so that those who are well off bear a larger share of the tax burden. I have held significant roles in Whitehall including policy formulation in environment and health and safety and have a strong understanding of the machinery of government.

  • Katherine Foy – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    Katherine Foy – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    The candidate statement from Katherine Foy.

    Candidate Statement

    I’m standing again for election to the NEC because we need to win the next General Election. The Tories have spent 12 years running down our nations; cutting our services, corrupting our institutions, and dividing our communities. We cannot let them win again. If elected I will work to ensure that all of our campaign teams have all the resources and support they need to win a majority when the time comes.

    I’m standing again because I support party democracy. I want the Labour Party to value its membership as the genuine representation of the party in the country and in our communities. Power within the party should be devolved to ordinary members wherever possible.

    I’m standing again because we still need to do better by our members. Bigotry and factional double standards are quietly tolerated within the party, as widely reported by our Muslim, GRT, BAME, and trans members. We must also avoid complacency by continuing to oppose antisemitism. If elected I will vote to continue adopting and enforcing our zero tolerance policies against hate speech and all forms of prejudice.

    For those who are alone and who are afraid, for those who are powerless; we need to win.

  • Zakir Hussain Fayazi – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    Zakir Hussain Fayazi – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    The candidate statement from Zakir Hussain Fayazi.

    Candidate Statement

    Being a member of the party since 2017, it will be an honour to put my further efforts to help the party reaching their goal through this position.

    Best regards,

    Zak

  • Maryam Eslamdoust – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    Maryam Eslamdoust – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    The candidate statement from Maryam Eslamdoust.

    Candidate Statement

    I’ve been a Labour activist for 15 years and councillor in Camden for 12 years, leading campaigns against betting shops and strip clubs taking over high streets, and currently mounting opposition to increasing numbers of school expulsions affecting our most vulnerable children.
    As a BAME woman I’ve suffered racism throughout my life, so I know from direct personal experience that we must eradicate all forms of discrimination in our Party. I’m a lifelong equalities advocate and have used my voice as a councillor to speak up for those experiencing racism, disability discrimination and to fight for women’s safety.

    As Secretary to the NEC Equalities Committee, I oversaw set up of the Party’s National Women’s structures and National BAME structures.

    I have campaigned for Labour in every election and under every leader since 2008. The Tories are failing Britain, but it’s not good enough for us to think we can just coast into power. We need to offer socialist policies which give hope to voters and inspire Labour members and our affiliated trade unions.

    It is time for the Party to end this civil war and start laying into the Tory government, instead of our own members.

    FOR PEACE AND SOCIALISM!

  • Abdi Duale – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    Abdi Duale – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    The candidate statement from Abdi Duale.

    Candidate Statement

    Hi, I’m Abdi Duale,

    Vauxhall CLP member, Trade Unionist (GMB Union), former Labour Organiser (2017 – 2019) and former council candidate.

    My Labour roots stem from my parents who fled war-torn Somalia as refugees. They sought sanctuary in Ealing, where the Labour council provided them with a council home that changed their lives.

    The last Labour government lifted my family out of poverty thanks to the minimum wage and investment in education meant that I was one of the first in my family to go to university.

    As an active Labour member, I have a track record of campaigning for Labour candidates across the country. I’m a community activist, from supporting local food banks to campaigning against racial injustice. A black man has never been elected to Labour’s NEC and with your support, I hope to become the first.

    As a former campaign organiser, I know the road back to government isn’t easy. I’m running for NEC to focus our party on taking on the Tories, supporting Keir and Angela to make our party election-ready and winning the next election.

    I also recommend voting for Akehurst, Baxter, Singh Josan and Thomas.

  • Yasmine Dar – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    Yasmine Dar – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    The candidate statement from Yasmine Dar.

    Candidate Statement

    I’m standing for re-election to the NEC, to continue as a strong voice defending grassroots members, the lifeblood of our Party.

    On the NEC I have:

    •Been a strong supporter of popular, transformative economic policies and an internationalist foreign policy for peace, justice, and human rights.
    •Pushed for greater democracy, the long overdue publication of the Forde report and dynamic, inclusive equalities structures.
    •Fought for transparent, fair disciplinary processes based on natural justice.
    •Supported more say for grassroots members, including the right to select the candidates we want.

    My experiences as a BAME woman, a social worker, anti-racist activist, and Councillor have shaped my socialism and fuelled my determination to fight for a transformative Labour government. As the cost of living and inequalities soar and the devastating impact of Covid continues, it is time to step up our campaign against this vicious government.

    I support campaigns such as Black Lives Matter, a Green New Deal as well as maintaining a strong commitment to anti-war activism.

    I am proud to be supported by the Centre Left Grassroots Alliance, Campaign for Labour Party Democracy and Momentum. Please also support Gemma Bolton, Mish Rahman and Jess Barnard.

  • Gemma Bolton – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    Gemma Bolton – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    The candidate statement from Gemma Bolton.

    Candidate Statement

    I’m standing for re-election to Labour’s NEC to continue to fight for a socialist and democratic party which upholds the rulebook, decisions of its annual conference, and puts members and working people at its core.

    To win, Labour must fight for a socialist policy agenda in opposition to Conservative attacks on our jobs, health, shared values and living standards. We must oppose Tory austerity; support public ownership; a Green New Deal; a peace-oriented, independent foreign policy and fight rising poverty and racism.

    As an NEC member I have:

    – Worked to create new democratic Student and BAME structures
    – Produced detailed written reports of NEC meetings
    – Voted to return the whip to Jeremy Corbyn
    – Campaigned for the publication of the Forde Report
    – Opposed unfair proscriptions and expulsions
    – Opposed rule changes that weaken members’ rights

    I have fought for democracy and a greater voice for grassroots members at all levels of our party, including on the South East Regional Executive, Women’s Conference Arrangements Committee, and as co-Chair of the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (CLPD).

    I’m proudly endorsed by the Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance (CLGA) including CLPD and Momentum. Please support the other CLGA endorsed candidates.

  • Ann Black – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    Ann Black – 2022 NEC Candidate Statement

    The candidate statement from Ann Black.

    Candidate Statement

    I’m seeking re-election after serving from 2000 to 2018 and returning in 2020, still committed to accountability, socialist policies and genuine party democracy. I am loyal to Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner, as to previous leaders. I’m a lifelong UNISON member.

    The party has to look outwards. As chair of the National Policy Forum I am focused not just on what a Labour government should do, but how to achieve that Labour government, with an inspiring vision and clear messages on equality, public services, workers’ rights and electoral reform.

    In 2020 I argued that local parties should receive a bigger share of subscriptions, and have already got £1,500 returned to every CLP. As a CLP secretary myself I understand the stresses on volunteers. I helped to revive the national women’s conference, and continue trying to reduce unacceptable delays within complaints and disciplinary processes.

    I judge issues on their merits regardless of faction. For instance I opposed expulsion for supporting organisations before they were proscribed, supported simpler selection procedures, but was the only representative to object to the NEC controlling parliamentary longlists and allowing candidates to spend £3,500.