When I first stood in a council by-election in Merton in 2003 it was a close fight against the Tories and the Liberal Democrats. Since then, I've increased my majority over both of them twenty-fold! I know how to beat them.

In my ward where I’m a councillor, rather than simply asking residents how they intend to vote, we’ve built a relationship with them over time, with repeat communications and interactions which will keep them voting Labour, not just in the next election but in elections to come. It’s an approach that has kept the Lib Dems at bay, and we can adopt it across Wimbledon to force them out.

And we will use these communications to make the next election the real choice, that between 14 years of Tories that have crashed the economy or a hopeful future with Labour.

I will work closely with our Labour councillors to obtain the best possible result for residents and show the value of Labour when it is in power. We will be out all year round, and noticeable in every part of the constituency from Albert Grove to Avebury Road, from Linkway to Lower Downs, and from Parkway to Poplar Road.

And through fundraising I will secure a full-time paid organiser for Wimbledon CLP to run the winning campaign we need.

I joined the Labour Party in 1990 when I moved into Wimbledon because I was deeply worried about the future of our kids under the then Conservative government. I was elected secretary of my local branch at my first ever meeting and I’ve been campaigning ever since! 

For me, it’s not just writing the leaflets, but delivering them. And it’s not just developing the policies, but knocking on the doors and talking to people about them. I have been a canvasser, a stuffer, a telephone caller, a fundraiser, a recruiter, and much more. I received the National Merit award from David Evans and Keir Starmer in January 2022.