WE look at some of the Irish candidates across the parties who are hoping for success in tomorrow's local elections. Fiona Audley meets four Labour party candidates standing...
WITH the local election polls only one day away, the men and women hoping to secure your vote have been busy canvassing the streets, talking to voters and polishing off the pledges that could swing favour their way.
A strong contingent of Irish candidates is evident among them, either standing for re-election to their existing council seats or making a first attempt to secure a place as a local councillor.
JONATHAN O'DEA is standing for Valley Ward in the London borough of Waltham Forest.
Co. Mayo born Jonathan has been living in England since he was 12. As an accomplished artist, he lives and works in Walthamstow, and is passionate about local politics.
Political Background: Jonathan has been actively involved in the Labour party for three years. This is his first time standing for local election.
Why are you standing for election?
“When I eventually became a party member it was suggested I should stand for the council elections. I eventually decided to as I believe there should be a cultural strategy for the borough and was heavily involved in a previous programme which began to develop that.
"That did whet my appetite to engage further in local politics. I think there still needs to be a strong advocate in terms of the cultural sector within the council. I also think we need more councillors who will go out there and listen to residents and find out what the issues affecting people as individuals and as a community are and address them in a resident-led way.”
What issues do you hope to address?
“Waltham Forest has seen massive changes as a borough over the past few years, house prices have gone up massively and the bedroom tax is having a massive effect on us too. We need to inform a strategy for Valley which covers the issues such as the bedroom tax and social housing as well as environmental issues, such as our street and town centre improvements.
"Also, due to where we are located as a ward, we are very disconnected from the rest of the borough through the barrier of the A406. So I would like to try to address the overall connectivity of the area and to look at how that can be improved in order to make our part of the borough more connected physically. That’s a big project but I like a challenge.”
Who is your biggest challenge on May 22?
“The feedback I am getting while out knocking on doors has been good. I think it looks positive for Labour in our ward but it all comes down to what happens on the day. Ultimately because I live in the borough, I know what the issues are; I know how people feel and I understand the frustrations of residents in terms of politics.
"The reaction from people on the streets is that they haven’t had any councillors knocking on their doors for a very long time and they tell me they haven’t seen their Conservative councillors at all. Those who would have voted Conservative don’t seem to know who they will vote for. I think I offer a viable alternative for these voters in our ward.”
MARTIN WHELTON, 39, is standing in the Pollards Hill ward in the London Borough of Merton. His mother hails from Inniskeen in Co Monaghan and father is from Barryroe in Co Cork.
Political Background: Martin has served as a Labour Party Councillor in Merton since 2002. On May 22 he is hoping to be re-elected to his seat, where he holds the position of Cabinet Member for Education. He has been a member of the Labour party since 1994 and served as the youngest Mayor of Merton in 2008/9.
Why are you standing for election?
“I originally stood for election with the Labour party as I saw the damage the Conservatives were doing to our public services in the 1990s and how they had mismanaged the economy which led to three million unemployed and many people having their homes repossessed. I wanted to fight the inequalities, improve our public services and to have a fairer society. I continue to stand for election to make a difference, be a voice for local people and work to improve the area.”
What issues do you hope to address?
“Locally the main issues are housing. Merton has over 5,000 on the housing waiting list, with many people in overcrowded accommodation. I also want to work with residents to make improvements to the Pollards Hill estate and on a commitment to help local people with the rising cost of living by freezing council tax for the next four years. I want to make further improvements to the local environment too, which includes rubbish collection.”
Who is your biggest challenge on May 22?
“The Conservatives are the main challenger to Labour in winning seats and the result will be decided in a few key wards in Wimbledon and Morden. It will be a very close election but we’re confident that we’ll win and have a record we can be proud of.”
TOM FLYNN, 31, is standing for election in the Camberwell Green ward in the London borough of Southwark. His family hails from Co. Kerry, where his mother was born in Dingle and his father in Ardfert.
Political Background: Tom has been a member of the Labour party since 2010. He stood, unsuccessfully, for Parliament in 2010 in Southend West. He is a Labour member because ‘it’s the only party that looks out for ordinary working people and sticks up for the most vulnerable people in society’.
Why are you standing for election?
“I was inspired to stand in Southwark by our Labour council leader Peter John and the work the council had done in providing free healthy school meals for all. I realised this was a council that was making a real difference and I wanted to contribute to that effort.”
What issues do you hope to address?
“Many people in Camberwell have been hit hard by the Lib Dem/Tory Government cuts, so housing and employment are huge issues for people in Camberwell. The bedroom tax and the benefit caps are causing real poverty and a massive increase in food bank use in the area.
"We have also recently seen the opening of a baby bank at the Salvation Army, offering free baby stuff to parents who are struggling to make ends meet. These are all issues I will be prioritising.”
Who is your biggest challenge on May 22?
“Camberwell Green is traditionally Labour. The biggest challenge for Labour holding seats in the area is the gentrification of south London — many people can no longer afford to rent in Camberwell. But we are also a very diverse community and I rarely meet anyone in Camberwell who doesn’t love the mix of people and cultures that makes our community great. UKIP are standing here but I’m confident Camberwell will reject their casual racism and bigotry on May 22.”
RITA LACEY CONNEELY, 27, is standing for election in the Kilburn ward in the London borough of Brent. Born and raised in north London, Rita’s parents hail from Clifden and Glenamaddy in Co. Galway.
Political Background: Rita is a longstanding and active Labour member, trade unionist and campaigner, committed to the ‘ideals of social justice on which the Labour movement is based’. This is the first time she has stood for election to public office.
Why are you standing for election?
“I was born and have spent my life in Brent and in Kilburn and this is a really challenging time for our community. I believe it’s essential for activists on all kinds of issues, especially those of us who have skills from working in frontline services, to get involved and stand up for their communities. I also believe there is a serious lack of representation from young women.”
What issues do you hope to address?
“Transparency, engagement, reform and the empowerment of local people are the main issues I hope to address. But there are plenty of challenges ahead for Kilburn, which we must deal with also. For example, our high street is already overpopulated with betting shops and pay day loans companies and we have worked with residents over the last year to prevent a number of new requests for planning permission.
"Local people need better credit options and better retail choices on our high street. Housing issues are also a major concern and make up the bulk of Kilburn’s casework issues that I’ve been working on professionally for six years.”
Who is your biggest challenge on May 22?
“Labour boroughs like Brent are the worst hit by Government cuts and people may no longer feel confident that politics can provide the solutions. It is for us to show people in Kilburn that councillors are a tool to support them, not the other way around, and together we need to deliver solutions in difficult times.”
