Stephen’s supporters
Why we are backing Stephen
Harriet Harman MP
“I got to know Stephen from his time at the Federation of Small Businesses when he was regularly in Parliament advocating measures of help to micro firms. I then observed Stephen in local government when he became leader of the council in Merton. What I noticed most was his determination to get the best for his residents. The past 12 years have been difficult for local authorities but Stephen has been business-like and focussed on Labour values.
He has also been an innovative figurehead promoting policies that ensured services for vulnerable residents were not cut and achieved growth in projects that meant additional and expanded schools, a new library, a new leisure complex and another day centre for his borough despite the hardships.”
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Alan Johnson
“I have always been greatly impressed by Stephen’s practical democratic socialism. He has a strong record of service from his time at the Federation of Small Businesses helping SMEs and now as a councillor representing residents in all of Merton. I know he will use his experience and dedication to win Wimbledon and Coombe and to ensure the interests of the Constituency are heard loud and clear in Parliament. Stephen has the skills, energy and commitment and the local knowledge needed to earn a victory in Wimbledon and help secure a Labour government.”
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Andrew Adonis
“I have known Stephen since the 1990s when he worked at the Federation of Small Businesses. He was a familiar figure in Parliament lobbying me and my Labour colleagues on matters such as business rates relief for shops. I have since followed his career in local government. His drive to look out for the people of Wimbledon is evident when he stepped in and made up for Government cuts in council tax support to low-income families. As council leader he played a prominent part in the 70%+ Brexit vote for Remain in Wimbledon. His determination and business-like approach with a people-focussed side are just the qualities Wimbledon needs in its next MP and I look forward to joining the campaign trail and helping get Stephen elected.”
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Siobhain McDonagh, friend and Member of Parliament for Mitcham and Morden
“As someone with experience of winning elections myself, I know Stephen has what it takes to win in Wimbledon; an effective campaigner; very organised and great on the doorstep. With well-known candidates at the next general election from the other parties set to stand in Wimbledon, it is crucial that Labour’s candidate is an established and familiar figure in the constituency. Stephen is that person following his hugely successful time as Merton’s council leader. I look forward to helping Stephen on the campaign trail, getting Stephen elected as the Labour MP for Wimbledon and Coombe and a Labour Government for the country.”
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Ivor Heller, Life Vice President, AFC Wimbledon
"Coming back to Plough Lane would not have been possible without Stephen's acumen, political will and business-like approach. I have never seen a politician so adept at making things happen for people in his borough. I learnt so much from Stephen when we were working together on the stadium and engaging with architects and developers alike. He certainly knows all the levers to pull in Wimbledon to get things done. Stephen definitely has a knack in managing to make people's dreams come true and he certainly did just that with our return to Wimbledon".
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Theo Paphitis
Former Dragons Den star and retail entrepreuner Theo Paphitis has declared his support for Stephen. Theo runs stationery chain Ryman from his offices in Wimbledon town centre just opposite the station. Stephen recently met up with Mr Paphitis who was happy to endorse Stephen’s wish to be the local prospective parliamentary candidate for Labour in Wimbledon. Theo, who also runs homewares specialist, Robert Dyas, said:
“I wish Stephen the best of luck in his effort to be Labour’s candidate. Stephen has led Merton Council very successfully for many years and I know he will make a fantastic candidate for the Labour Party here in Wimbledon”.
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Dame Margaret Hodge MP
“In 1997 I was chair of the Disability Rights Task Force and one of it’s members, representing the business community, was Stephen Alambritis. He was very helpful in helping us set up the Disability Rights Commission. I was not in the least bit surprised when some years later Stephen was made a Commissioner on the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Stephen was part of their consultative team working on the Labour government’s Equality Act 2010. Stephen’s passion for equality and fairness in our society is something I admire him for. I also saw Stephen’s business acumen first hand when I was the Minister of State for Industry and the Regions and he was at the Federation of Small Businesses. Stephen was a true advocate for the self-employed and was regularly on national media making the case for Britain’s small businesses and against the greedy banks who were withholding credit to small firms. He was also a vehement critic of big conglomerates who were paying their smaller suppliers late and avoiding their tax obligations. Stephen deserves your support and I hope you will vote for him to be your candidate in Wimbledon.”
Despo Stevens, Former Headteacher in Merton and Kingston resident
I was a headteacher in a Merton Primary School when Stephen was the leader of Merton Council. Stephen put in place the major expansion of primary schools, bringing in extra forms of entry with well-designed extensions to the existing school buildings. This led to the creation of over 4,500 sorely needed extra primary school places. This also helped schools like mine deal with demand. Stephen’s prudent management of the council finances brought other infrastructure improvements to my school. I am now retired and live in Kingston but happily see Stephen frequently as we both attend the local Greek Church in Kingston.
Youseff Ali, Labour member from Hillside ward
I thought Stephen Alambritis was a fantastic council leader for over 10 years in Merton. By freezing our council tax for 6 years he supported low-income households. I like the idea that the next Labour MP for Wimbledon will have a business background. And I was delighted that he negotiated the return of AFC Wimbledon back to Plough Lane. I think he will make a great MP for Wimbledon.
Zac Zacharia, former proprietor of Adams Fish Bar in Abbey Ward
Stephen would be a great Labour Party Candidate for Wimbledon in the next General Election. I just had to express my support for him and I urge you to do likewise. No one knows, cares about and works harder for people up and down Wimbledon than Stephen. I used to sit up and watch and listen when Stephen was on TV or Radio as the spokesperson for the small business federation. Wimbledon needs an MP with a business background. He will be adept at getting everyone around the table to make sure local businesses are supported and Wimbledon becomes an even stronger business centre attracting custom from throughout London. I am therefore asking you to join me in voting for Stephen to be the candidate for the Labour Party here in Wimbledon.
Adnan Hashim, Founder of Ecklee stores in West Barnes
Stephen has been one of my regular customers since 1988, and he has always been very generous with his time whenever I asked him for help and advice. Stephen has worked tirelessly for our community as a local business representative and as an elected councillor. Wimbledon needs an MP who knows our issues, concerns and also cares about them and no one would be better suited to that than Stephen.
Caroline Charles, Raynes Park member and Ravensbury councillor
“I have been on the campaign trail with Stephen for many years in Wimbledon and find him to be efficient and effective on the doorstep. But it is only since I got elected as a councillor in Merton in the same ward as him that I have seen how much of an election winner Stephen is when asking voters for their support. Once elected Stephen devotes himself entirely to the job of helping residents with their problems. I have learnt so much from Stephen in how to be a good public representative and I for one will support him to get elected as our Labour MP for Wimbledon.”
Pauline Jones, Village Ward member
“I am of the strong belief that with Stephen, already a familiar figure in Wimbledon combined with his campaigning experience and winning habit, that he is absolutely the person to win back the Labour MP we used to have in Wimbledon, and keep it for Labour. I urge you to join me in supporting Stephen and voting for him in the parliamentary selection.”
Mr Gazi Ozturk, proprietor of Haydon’s Café in Wandle
I run Haydon’s Café in Haydon’s Road and I wanted to say what a boost having AFC Wimbledon back at Plough Lane has been, not just to my café but to other businesses in the vicinity. Many customers tell me that it was to Stephen Alambritis that the club’s directors like Ivor Heller looked to for support to get a stadium built for the club and the fans. They say he led the way and smoothed out political obstacles. I really think it is unlikely AFC Wimbledon would have returned home without Stephen’s business experience and knowledge of the local community. The return of the club has increased footfall to my business as a result of the presence of the 9,000-seater stadium that came with 850 flats and therefore more customers for all the local businesses. Please give your support to Stephen Alambritis in Labour’s selection process in Wimbledon to be our prospective parliamentary candidate.
Huseyn Ozdemir from Vintage Fishery in Wimbledon Park
I have been running the Vintage Fishery in Leopold Road since 2013 here in Wimbledon Park ward and I am always looking to improve my shop both inside and outside on the frontage. In addition, I was always wanting to know how business rates were calculated and how the reliefs worked. I asked many people to recommend someone I could go to and to a person they mentioned Stephen Alambritis. When I contacted Stephen for help with my business he was as good as his word. He patiently went through how the council could help local businesses on issues such as hours of work, food safety, premises insurance and licensing matters. I think he would make a wonderful Member of Parliament for our community.
Andy Coles, Labour member in Wimbledon Town & Dundonald
I was a councillor in Merton and sat in the cabinet with Stephen when we protected social services and children’s services from cuts. We need a candidate for the general election who is a proven winner – that’s Stephen Alambritis. We have to push the Lib Dems out of the way if we are going to win this seat, and Stephen’s brand of relentless pavement politics is what we need. And he’s done it on the council too, setting aside money to build a brand new leisure centre in the constituency on budget and to time in stark contrast to the Liberals in Kingston, who closed down and demolished their Kingfisher leisure centre with no replacement in sight.
Salvatore Falcone, proprietor of Italian Bakery in Merton Park
I enjoyed running the Italian Bakery business with my family in Merton Park but there is a downside to everything as they say and in business it is the red tape that got to me especially in the later years. But all that stopped when a new customer appeared and has been a godsend. That customer is Stephen Alambritis. I saw him close-up working for residents; always welcoming, chatty and happy to stop to listen to people’s issues even when he was on his way and in a hurry. And it is here in my shop that I have noticed how popular he is and how much respect he commands from people. Customers were always mentioning his business background and his hard work ethic and how he gets things done. When I heard he was putting his hat into the ring to be the candidate for the Labour Party for the seat of Wimbledon at the next general election I just felt compelled to ask members in Merton Park to support him.
Mark Gordon, proprietor Wimbledon Brewery
Stephen helped former city trader Mark Gordon establish Wimbledon Brewery, which now provides beer to the likes of the All England Tennis Club in Church Road and to Wimbledon’s favourite community pub, The Alex, opposite Elys, in the town centre. Mark said, “When I left the City in 2013 to set up Wimbledon Brewery, Stephen was there every step of the way as I navigated all kinds of hurdles, regulations and sources of possible help from all types of organisations including the council. Stephen’s business experience shone through. Politicians with a business-like approach are few and far between. Stephen is one of them.”
Amira Mahfouz, AYA chain of Restaurants, South Wimbledon and the Broadway
Stephen was always there to help in those early days of my restaurant chain which I established in 2009. He helped me through the maze of regulations for our license needs, our business rate issues and with planning requirements. He was there for me through the covid closure and Stephen made sure all businesses accessed their covid grants without undue bureaucracy. He has my support in his next move following such a decade of delivery as our council leader in Merton”.
Stephen Alambritis is the candidate with the local background, experience and energy to win Wimbledon for Labour, and to keep it Labour in the future.
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