Lockleaze Branch Labour Party Meeting to select two candidates to represent the Labour Party in Lockleaze at the Bristol City Council elections May 2020

Thursday 11th April 2019 6.30 pm, Cameron Centre, Cameron Walk, Lockleaze

Agenda

1 Membership check

2 Welcome, introductions and apologies for absence

3 Introduction of Local Campaign Forum and CLP observers and explanation of procedure.

4 Minutes of shortlisting meeting held on Monday 1st April 2019 (attached below)

5 The number of eligible voting members in the meeting should be declared at this stage. Any member arriving after this point in the agenda has been reached shall not be permitted to participate in any way in the meeting or in any ballot.

6 Shortlisted candidates have each made a statement, which is printed below. Each has been asked to speak to the meeting for up to three minutes each about why they want to be a Labour Councillor for Lockleaze. Candidates will speak in the following order:

Eileen Means Daphne Chikwere Vickey Tiley Becky Ward Michelle Obudho Amar Ali Katja Hornchen, Ruby Gatehouse and Monira Ahmed have withdrawn.

After each has spoken, there will be up to ten minutes for members to ask the candidates questions. At the shortlisting meeting, branch members drew up a list of suggested questions which are printed below.

7 Branch Chair or Secretary proposes a procedural motion to proceed to ballot. (If this motion is lost, this meeting can either draw up a new short-list or agree dates for new short-listing and selection meetings, subject to be approval by the Bristol Labour Campaign Forum).

Break for refreshments.

8 Eliminating ballot to select two candidates for the ward

9 Result of ballot.

10 Collection to cover cost of room hire, close of meeting

Date of next Lockleaze Labour meeting: Tuesday 14th May 7 pm, Cameron Centre Candidates were asked to submit a 350 word statement to support their nomination to the Bristol Labour Campaign Forum list of approved candidates.

Eileen Means

Previously a Labour Party City Councillor in Brislington West, I lost out last time due to the ‘alphabet lottery’ of the local elections. I am passionately committed to women’s rights and have fought for equalities all my life. Talking of campaigning, I am an experienced campaigner from being at the Grunwick marches and demonstrations and at CND in my youth, to being a fervent opponent of Brexit now. I believe Brexit will give this country’s government unlimited powers such as removing our hard-earned Human Rights, it will make austerity policies enforced by this and any other hard- right UK governments unanswerable to the checks and balances of the EU. These powers are not strong enough in many areas, but UK needs to remain in the EU and to use its powers to reform it, but there is no doubt in my mind that ordinary people will suffer in so many ways if this country leaves the EU. So, what do I bring to your ward if selected? Vast experience of campaigning and knowledge of electoral rules and processes. My record as a Councillor in representing my ward is second to none. I am good at the PR aspect of campaigning and make sure that local people, opposition parties and the media know who the Labour candidate is and that she is not run-of-the-mill but a force to be reckoned with. Over the years, I have built up good contacts with the many diverse demographic groupings who have settled in our city. I did this as Chair of Bristol Labour, but mainly due to my work with ACH that houses, supports and trains refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants and other groups in need of security and safety. My career was in Social Services and Housing, I was the first woman Director of Housing and Social Services in the South West Region so as a former Local Government Officer who worked her way up through the ranks from basic grade social worker, I am familiar and experienced in service delivery, strategic planning, setting budgets and managing them through the scrutiny process. I do think that many of Bristol’s recent strategic plans do not resonate with our citizens and would hope to make a valuable contribution in this respect if elected. As I have done and I am doing for refugees and asylum seekers as Vice Chair of ACH that has won several national and local awards for its radical and innovative ways of responding to their needs. Finally, my principles are those of the Labour Party through and through, being the daughter of a coalminer, living through the two pit strikes and seeing the effect of them followed by pit closures on my family. Old fashioned perhaps, but still radical in that I am in favour of re-nationalising the state services we all rely on and of an effective safety net for those that fall on hard times and who need non- discriminatory support. Jeremy Corbyn, our Labour Leader and I have those principles in common. I shall continue to utilise my skills for a better Bristol and a better country for all.

525 words

Daphne Chikwere

My name is Daphne Chikwere, born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1980 and have lived in Bristol since 2010. I came to the UK on a Common Wealth Scholarship to study Environmental Consultancy at the University of the West of England, Bristol. I have a partner and 3 children who attend the local school. I have worked a bit in the Environment sector but currently work in Healthcare with interests in Adult care, Learning Disabilities and (Clinical) Waste management. I permanently moved to Lawrence Weston in 2017 but have always been a Labour party member for over 6 years. In my spare time, I volunteer at the Local Labour Party offices, mainly at Bristol South where I used to live) and the food bank. I intend to volunteer a bit more at the Ambition Lawrence Weston. I have a passion for our residents and ward to be listened to, remote party politics often gets in the way. I am a team player with good communication skills. I strongly support Lawrence Weston Neighbourhood Development Planning. Persistent local issues such as poor transport links, inadequate recreational facilities, poor infrastructure, poor housing, high unemployment, high incidents of crime, inadequate local shops or GP surgeries should be decided LOCALLY. If selected/elected, I aim to: • Abide by party rules and work towards a balance between good of the party and a good outcome for our residents • Effectively communicate and work on follow-up plans promptly • Listen to local people about the issues most important to them • Involve local people in local decision-making • Tackle housing, crime, traffic, infrastructure and development issues.

255 words

Victoria Tiley

Hi my name is Victoria Tiley I am 53 years old and I have lived in Lockleaze for about 25 years. I am a Radio manager at BCFM RADIO. I have been at the Radio station for the last seven years My job at the station is partnership manager and sales manager and also events manager I am also a radio presenter. I have extensive experience in local media, I would be willing to contribute to effective media communications on the part of the group.

I am a community local volunteer and a community activist. This has involved helping to set up the love Lockleaze festivalnwhich has focus on diversity and inclusivity. I sit on various local groups and bodies, which includes Lockleaze neighbourhood trust which I am a trustee of. And I also Volunteer working in the office, and also volunteer my time putting on events to raise money for the community which I do at the Hub community centre in Lockleaze.

I am on the steering group at The Vench adventure playground. And I also volunteer here too. And also the manager of the bristol Diversity Awards. Which is about promoting diversity and inclusion within are City. I like helping too mount fundraising events for the community because it brings community together. I have helped raise funds for local families suffering from bereavement, I’m also involved in running a karaoke night every month for community projects.

My background is that I was a care manager for 14 years I am aware of the growing crisis in elderly care and I am committed to ensuring the provision of the best possible support and services for older people. And people with disability, Young people and older people too. 289 words Becky Ward

I have four children, age from 17 to 10, we live happily in Redland with my husband and many pets. I have a law degree, am trilingual as I grew up in several different countries, and consider myself European at heart. I have always been a ‘righter of wrongs’ and will work passionately and relentlessly for the ward, members, and eventually voters who choose me, and am fortunate that I will be able to dedicate myself full time to the role. I have a particular interest in voter registration and engagement, and truly believe that engaging with those who feel disenfranchised is central to electoral success - but only through genuine, two-way engagement. I recognise my personal privileges and the advantages they bring, and want to use these to ensure that as many people as possible have access to those advantages; I will fight every corner needed to give all Bristolians that chance.

After joining the Party in 2015, I threw myself into campaigning for and supporting our fight for a Labour government. After starting up Momentum Bristol with a couple of comrades, I then worked as a researcher on Marvin’s campaign in 2016. I was elected Women’s Officer for the LCF that year, as well as my CLP treasurer. In January 2017 I was hired as Director of Campaign Strategy for the Metro Mayor campaign, and then during the GE moved on to be content manager for the JC4PM social media group, a position I still hold. I have had to limit my physical involvement locally after being diagnosed with ME in late 2017, however I am now managing my energy levels well and look forward to getting back on the campaign trail.

Having been on the other side of several campaigns, from internal leaderships to the largest Metro Mayor campaign in the country, I will have definite opinions and lots of spreadsheets to share with the team, but hopefully I will be a useful extra resource as well as a feisty, inclusive, and dynamic candidate. Who always has biscuits in her backpack!

344 words

Michelle Obudho

My name is Michelle Nyangi Obudho and I have been a supporter of the Labour party long before I even joined it, and today as much as ever, the manifesto of building a fairer and better Britain continues to resonate with me as it shows our intention of making sure that we continually strive to improve the current situation for all. I am now looking to take on a more active role and be a part of the effort in delivering this goal. Should I be selected and voted in as a councilor it will be a privilege to be part of a team where I would strive to understand, lead and represent my community and fight to build a fairer and better community "being part of the bigger picture."

I have had the privilege of working within the NHS for the past 8 years as a pharmacist. Having worked in different healthcare systems and institutions in other parts of the world, I am confident that the NHS is indeed the best universal healthcare system and something we should be proud of; It saddens me to see it in the crisis it currently finds itself in. This is an institution that deserves to be cared for, as it plays such an important role in our society, so I will continue to stand and fight for the NHS, and it is key that the healthcare services are not just maintained by improved, and not interfered with as they have recently been. I have attended and been part of the campaigns in support for the NHS. In the community where I work we have ensured that patients are signposted "to where they can go for the NHS services that they need.

Part of my wanting to be a councillor is not only do I want to make a difference within the community I represent but also be part of the improved representation within our community. If you entrust me with your vote I will ensure that our achievementsare more that what you had hoped for, we can do this together. 348 words

Amal Ali

My name is Amal Ali and I have lived in Lawrence Hill Ward the last 16 years with my family. I was inspired to join the Labour Party in 2015 just before Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership but before becoming a full member I have always considered myself to be a Labour. I strongly support Corbyn and McDonnell’s policies. Since joining the Labour Party in 2015 I have hit the ground running and being heavily involved ever since- canvassing, leafleting and organising different campaign sessions like mayoral, metro mayoral, the general elections, also campaigned about education and the NHS, attending meetings, undertaking roles such as BAME officer for Bristol West and delegate for Labour Annual Conference in Brighton.

Also, made a difference in previous elections as I translated campaign leaflets into Somali for Lawrence Hill, Ashley Down and other parts of the city. During campaign sessions residents raised concerns and issues relating to Lawrence Hill which I tend to tackle when I do become a councillor these issues doesn’t only affect residents and it also affects my family and I as we are part of this ward so therefore it is important for Lawrence Hill to have a councillor who lives in the ward and knows what are the real issues are instead of having councillors from outside. Over the years I helped families in Bristol with different issues. For example, there was a young boy was racial abused at his school in Knowles and the family approached me and I toke the case and worked night and day to make sure that little boy’s happiness and his self-confidence came back. The boy got relocated to another school which he loves, he is making friends and his marks are improving. Main reason I would like to become a councillor is to improve the lack of representation and plan to get a regular and weekly surgery in place which has been overdue for many years until recently, the quality of life concerning litter problems. If you give me your vote and trust the leadership of Lawrence Hill with me; I promise to make a huge difference.

Suggested questions for candidates at Lockleaze selection meeting

When we drew up the shortlist for the selection meeting, branch members discussed the kinds of questions we might put to candidates. You can ask whatever questions you like, but you can also use questions from the lust below.

1. Lockleaze is the 3rd most deprived ward in Bristol and has a very diverse population. How will you make sure that local people can be confident that you understand and identify with the issues that concern them? 2. What will you do to identify the issues that concern residents in Lockleaze ward ? 3. How can Bristol City Council address the diversity and class inequalities in Lockleaze ? 4. Councillors have to balance duties over many tasks. How do you see yourself prioritising competing demands on your time - case work , committee work , working with local organisations and so on. 5. How will you work with the local Labour Party branch ? Minutes of shortlisting meeting held on Monday 1st April 2019 (attached below)

15 members in attendance. Observers present from Bristol LCF (Tom Pearce, Kate) and from Bristol NW CLP (Kaz Self). Lynda Mansell in the Chair.

Chair welcomed those present and outlined the process to be followed to produce a shortlist of nominees to be invited to a meeting to select the two candidates. Bristol Labour Campaign forum has decided that Lockleaze will choose two candidates who are women. The selection meeting will be held on Thursday 11th April 6.30 pm.

Chair then invited members to make nominations from the list circulated with the notice for this meeting. The following were nominated:

Name nominated by seconded by

Amar Ali Sam Turner Nina Franklin Vickey Tiley Merriel Waggoner Laura de Vito Michelle Obudho Merriel Waggoner Dammy Layade Eileen Means Laura de Vito Suzanne Carrie Ruby Gatehouse Roland Peters Amy Boyd Katja Hornchen Nina Franklin Karen Bell Becky Ward Karen Bell Ian Wright Monira Ahmed Karen Bell Ian Wright Daphne Chikwere Merriel Waggoner Amy Boyd

Nina Franklin proposed a shortlist of six from the above nominees. Proposal seconded by Hedley Bashforth. Vote taken on this: 4 in favour, 5 against, 6 abstentions

Chair proposed a shortlist of all 9 nominees. Agreed. Lots were drawn to decide the order in which nominees will speak at the selection meeting. The order is as follows:

Eileen Means Daphne Chikwere Katja Hornchen Ruby Gatehouse Vickey Tiley Becky Ward Michelle Obudho Monira Ahmed Amar Ali

Proposal that each nominee should speak for three minutes, with up to ten minutes for questions. The LCF observer advised that candidates should all be asked the same questions. Discussion of the kinds of questions that members might want to ask.

Agreed that branch officers will meet to produce a list of questions that can be circulated to members.

Chair thanked members and observers for coming and closed the meeting Help Labour win in South Glos and Bath & NE Somerset

You can help Labour candidates win in Council election taking place on May 2nd.

South Glos

There is an election in the area adjacent to Lockleaze. Canvassing Saturday 13th April meet at Casson Drive/Wright Way at 12 noon. For further dates contact [email protected]

B&NES

To help win in Keynsham

Fri 12th April 10am till 12pm and 4pm to 6pm Sat 13th April (10am till 12pm and 4pm to 6pm Both from Community@67 on Queen's Rd

Sat 27th April 9.30 am with Nick Thomas Symonds (shadow solicitor general and Kerry McCarthy MP from Tesco car park

For further dates contact Dave on 078866 20374 or Jon on 07464 798073