Pauline Pearce’s outspoken and down-to-earth condemnation of the London rioters at the height of the violence last summer gained the attention of the nation, and she was dubbed the ‘Heroine of Hackney’. Now she is standing for the Liberal Democrats in this May’s local elections.
For those who don’t remember or have never seen Pauline’s most famous moment, here’s the video footage. (Please note there is strong language throughout.)
Here’s how the Hackney Citizen reported her joining the ranks of Lib Dem candidates looking to put community politics into action this May:
The ‘Heroine of Hackney’, Pauline Pearce, is to stand for the Liberal Democrats in the forthcoming council by-election on Thursday 3 May in Hackney Central ward. The party announced Ms Pearce’s candidacy today (Thursday 15 May) during a walkabout in Clarence Road and the Pembury Estate. …
Ms Pearce, also known as ‘Lady P’, is a grandmother who has lived in Hackney for seven years. She has long campaigned against gang and knife crime and started the organisation DS4L – Do Something for Life. She also hosts a chat show on the Conscious Radio community station.
Earlier in her life, Ms Pearce was involved in gangs and served three years in prison for drug smuggling.
“I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of’, she says. “Now I want to put something back into my community”. She explains her thinking: “You can’t be moaning about what’s wrong without doing something to put it right”. …
Coming from a staunchly Labour family, her choice of party is a big change. “The Lib Dems seem to come across as the most genuine to me. I haven’t voted for the last three elections, but the Lib Dems seem to be showing the love.”
When asked if her anti-cuts stance was not out of line with the actions of her chosen party, she said the Liberal Democrats are trying from inside the Coalition Government to lessen the effect of spending reductions.
Simon De Deney, Chair of the Hackney Liberal Democrats, said: “We feel that Pauline will be a valuable addition to Hackney Council and we are proud to have her represent us. She is a real example of how a life can be turned around and how someone with a difficult past can give back to society”.
* Stephen was Editor (and Co-Editor) of Liberal Democrat Voice from 2007 to 2015, and writes at The Collected Stephen Tall.
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8 Comments
i can’t believe no-one has commented! she is exactly the sort of candidate we want as a party and she would be a great councillor. best of luck to her.
Thank you for posting that Stephen. I would urge all those backing pauline to come to the Hackney Lib dems Annual Dinner on Friday where the profits will help our local campaigns. Pauline will be the compere, and as she is a radio dj and jazz singer will I am sure be very good at it.
This is not to overlook our outstanding guest speaker Lynne Featherstone who will be talking about topical issues such as gay marriage and body .
See http://www.hackneylibdems.org.uk/events.php
It is not all about delivering leaflets, although that will come! Please book by Wednesday when we have to let the venue know!
Fabulous candidate with an excellent local and national profile before joining politics – just what any political party should want. Good luck to Pauline, her community and the local party.
Should make the council chamber interesting.
You can follow Pauline’s campaign at paulinepearce.tumblr.com – do please share the link with your contacts!
I am glad the ‘Heroine of Hackney’ Pauline Pearce is standing for the Liberal Democrats to speak truth to power!
At LAST…someone with guts and grit to help show the passion within the Lib Dems (something the media consistently ignore at worst, and scoff at, at best). Lady P’s presence within the Lib Dems will wake a lot of people up as to what we really stand for-she would be a valuable representative of the majority of voters…unlike the cosseted life-stylers currently swelling the Tory rank and file (how many of them DARE venture on to a council estate bar election time?!). I wish I lived in Hackney! Vote for Lady P and be part of real change!