Two council by-elections have just been called in the Hornsey and Wood Green constituency. And – I’m pleased to say – I’ve been selected as the candidate for one of them.
It’s not the first time I’ve been involved in a Lib Dem campaign. I stood as a London target ward candidate in 2014, and then I ran Lynne Featherstone’s General Election campaign. Since then, I’ve helped Tim’s leadership campaign.
Now, I’m ready to take on this one. Here’s why.
Firstly, both wards are currently represented by a Labour-run Council and a Labour MP.
Haringey Council has recently been accused of ‘showing the Tories how to do austerity’ – because of the Labour leadership’s propensity to slash social care budgets, while spending millions on consultants and committing £65k towards a ‘rebranding.’
And the new Labour MP, Catherine West, who stood on a social justice platform, recently decided not to vote against the Tory Welfare Bill – which says it all about her priorities.
Wood Green could benefit from a fresh voice that will challenge both the MP and the Council – someone that will get stuck into the pavement politics as well as speaking out on the big issues. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do as a councillor.
Secondly, these by-elections are a great chance to meet new members, supporters and activists. I’ve been to the Lib Dem pint events and met so many new people – it’ll be great to run a campaign that engages them in the political side of things.
And finally, although the timing isn’t ideal, the fightback needs experienced people to step up and take every battle as it comes.
I am bruised and tired after fighting the General Election at the coalface – but there isn’t time to rest, and a great opportunity has presented itself.
It would be fantastic to have a campaign team combining experienced campaigners with new members and new ideas. A mix of the old and the new is what the party’s campaigns now need.
So if anyone can come and help me campaign in Woodside (and also Derin Adebiyi, who is standing in neighbouring Noel Park) – then please do. We’re going to use it as an opportunity to try some of the new techniques I’ve posted about before, and have a lot of fun along the way.
Contact me on @JenniferHollis or [email protected] if you can help!
* Jenni Hollis is Haringey Liberal Democrat Campaign Chair, former Office and Campaign Manager for Lynne Featherstone. Now working in as a Campaigns Consultant for Verbalisation, and blogging and commentating at www.JenniHollis.org.uk
6 Comments
Good luck!
Good luck
Good on yer
That’s great Jenni. Lots of people will be supporting you.
Thanks for putting yourself forward. As things stand I am not a progressive, but I would rather someone who I disagreed with a bit run things than things not be run at all.
i agree with the five comments above, but do not rely on luck.
Andy Murray’s coach wears a T-shirt which says MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK.
If in doubt , a large majority is better than a small one.