Working hard for all of london
I came to politics later in life, despite studying for a degree in Politics in the late 90’s I thought that politics wasn’t a place for women from a working class background like me.
That all changed when I was diagnosed with cancer, shortly after the birth of my son in 2015. I was treated at St Thomas’ hospital and walking through striking junior doctors everyday to get my treatment, looking across the Thames at the Houses of Parliament, I vowed that if my treatment was successful, I’d stop sitting on the sidelines and get stuck in.
I am proud to have been ranked 9th on the London List and re-selected as constituency candidate in Lambeth & Southwark.
I’ve been working my socks off as a Green candidate for the last 5 years, fighting 4 elections, I think my track record speaks for itself.
I was the candidate for Camberwell & Peckham in the Dec 19 GE, making my debut against Harriet Harman; Mother of the House. Out of 469 Green candidates nationally I came 16th, was 1 of only 29 candidates nationally that saved our deposit and gained the biggest swing in the constituency, more than doubling our vote.
I was the constituency candidate for Lambeth and Southwark in the 2020/ 2021 GLA election. I’m very proud to say that I was the first non Tory or Labour constituency candidate to rank 2nd in a constituency vote, taking 19.7% of the vote (36,933), thrashing the Tories into third place. I hope to build on this in 2024.
In 2022 I was a candidate in our target ward in Southwark, Nunhead and Queens Road. We increased the vote share by 199%, the largest increase in England & Wales. We didn't win the seats but gave Labour a huge fright and plan to win in 2026.
I hope these stats go someway to showing what a dedicated candidate I am. When I’m selected to represent the Green Party I give my all, pounding the streets, speaking to Londoners and working hard to gain your votes.
Outside of the Green Party I am an advocate for Elect Her to try and encourage other women like me to run in politics. I sincerely believe that women with caring responsibilities need our voices need to be heard in all tiers of government, including the London Assembly. I’ve been a featured Green candidate and recently featured in their “Fund Her” campaign alongside Emma Thompson, though I was featured as a working class woman and she a Hollywood legend - to encourage others to get involved too.
Politics can often seem like an exclusive club for those with affluence and influence, whilst I have neither, I do have strong Green values and a voice I believe needs to be heard. I believe the Green Party has the best ideas to make the changes to make our incredible home city even better and I’d love to represent us
I’m proud to have been selected to proudly stand with my brilliant Green colleagues, doing our best to represent the key Green values of Climate Justice and Social Justice across the capital.
The work that Caroline Russell, Zack Polanski and Sian Berry along with Darren Johnson and Jenny Jones have done as assembly members is nothing short of inspirational, I’d love to follow in their footsteps.
Say YEP for Shep and Vote Green in May 2024!