PRO CORBYN AGM CANDIDATES - streatham 4 corbyn
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PRO CORBYN AGM CANDIDATES
Nominated in full by Brixton Hill, St Leonard’s, Streatham Hill, Lambeth Unison and Unite LE128
For Chair: Dr. Valerie Coultas (CC)
I am a socialist feminist writer, campaigner and active trade unionist. I research on English Education
policy and I am the author of Constructive Talk in Challenging Class-rooms. I worked as a freelance
journalist and spent 24 years teaching English in 6 comprehensive schools prior to becoming a
teacher educator at Kingston University; I was Head of English at Stockwell Park school in Lambeth.
I am an experienced chair, GC member in Streatham CLP, Vice Chair of Streatham Labour Left and
UCU Vice Chair at Kingston University.
Job Share
For Secretary: Seema Syeda (BH) & Axel Landin (BH)
Coming from a single-parent Bangladeshi Muslim family, I have experienced eviction, homeless-
ness, and institutional racism first-hand. I want to fight these issues and build a society that works
for everyone. I have campaigned passionately against Brexit, racism, and cuts to children’s centres,
and have been volunteering since 2016 to rehabilitate young offenders. I will use this experience to
engage and recruit members, and ensure that Labour succeeds not just at the ballot box, but also in
the wider community. I am Assistant Secretary and Social Officer for Brixton Hill Ward.
I am in my second year as secretary of Brixton Hill, and have also served as a branch vice chair and
on four CLP executives as well as in a London-wide role since joining Labour in 2006. I am a lawyer
and a director of Lambeth Law Centre, which provides free legal advice mainly on housing and
immigration. I have a thorough knowledge of party rules and procedures. I’ve previously worked in
local government and taught Maths in London secondary schools. I am Secretary of Junior Labour
Lawyers, and a member of the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers and Unite.
For Vice Chair: Branka Young (St L) & Hassaanah Amejee (St L) Job Share
I joined the Labour Party in 2015, inspired by the socialist economic agenda and anti-imperialist
global stance that the new leadership advocated. I’ve held senior positions within prominent UK
charities, chaired many complex meetings and organised large-scale campaigns over the last 15
years. I’ve lived in Streatham for 25 years and have two school-age children. I am a tireless cam-
paigner, keen to progress social justice cause and If elected, I will work in solidarity with others to
democratically represent our diverse community.
I have lived in Streatham my whole life. I have worked on many community projects both locally
including youth projects and sports accessibility and also nationally too. Most recently, I set up the
first Muslim eating disorders support group. I am keen to get involved. I am a television presenter
with over ten years experience in broadcast journalism. I have a young daughter.
Job Share
For Vice Chair Membership: Issam Samiri (SH) & Andrew Collins (St L)
I am passionate about participatory democracy within the Labour Party and beyond. I think when
people flock into politics and political debate, the outcome is always better. By better outcome I
mean: More social justice, less situations where people suffer from structural prejudices and an eco-
nomic system that takes the planet into consideration.
I am a final year Economics PhD student with a previous career in the financial sector. My current
research focuses on the interaction between finance phenomena and the wider economy.
I am a legal professional with experience of working in the university sector and private practice.
During my six years in Streatham Labour, I have served as membership secretary and co-branch
secretary. I have significantly boosted outreach to the Labour mass membership, with a particular
drive to engage with inactive members. I am a socialist who is passionate about climate change,
restoration of the NHS, public rail ownership and promoting social house building to tackle the
housing crisis.For Treasurer: Maurice Bhujan (St L)
I am a qualified accountant of 20 years, experienced in the production and monitoring of annual
budgets. I’ve worked at Direct Line Group for the last 10 years. I hold an associate qualification
from the Association of Corporate Treasurers and I’m a member of the Chartered Institute of Man-
agement Accountants. I am of Asian/White origin, my parents were both immigrants and I grew up
in a housing association estate. I’ve lived in Streatham since 2005. I Joined the party when Corbyn
became leader.
For Women’s Officer: Linda Heiden (SH) & Maria Salam (SH) Job Share
My feminist and socialist activism began in response to the 1970 shooting of four students at a
peaceful anti-war demo in the US. I have been active in Streatham Labour since July 2015, and
set up Streatham Labour Women’s Forum in June 2018. As Women’s Officer, I have organised
two well-attended panel discussions and numerous informal coffee mornings, helped launch the
Women’s Forum Facebook Group, kept members informed via email updates and helped set up
four ongoing work groups. Much more is in the works for this year.
I’m a black British woman from a working-class background. Streatham exemplifies so many of the
issues that define modern Britain: poverty; a broken education system; unemployment and lack of
opportunity; young people who are subjected to unequal treatment by the police and yet are
disproportionately the victims of knife crime. These struggles are the struggles of all of us, but black
and working-class women experience it more than most. I want to make sure our voices as women
are heard.
For Policy Officer: Didi Cooper (CC) & Martin Abrams (SW) Job Share
Born in Liverpool, the daughter of an NHS Nurse and Porter, I moved to London to study BA(Hons)
Photography Film & Video in 1986, becoming active in the squatters movement and Independent
Film & Video, Animation & Music Production & Training. My daughter was born in Brixton in 1992.
I’m an Adult education tutor & self employed Bodyworker & Yoga Teacher, Education Specialist &
Therapist working with children excluded from school. A lifelong activist, never happier than when
I’m researching and learning, I joined the Labour Party when Jeremy Corbyn became leader.
I have worked in the environment, transport and health policy sectors for over ten years and want to
use my skills to facilitate development and discussions of the Labour Party’s policy areas to ensure
the next Labour Government has the bold, radical and transformational policies and solutions for
the national and global crises we face. I care about fighting for social, economic and environmental
justice and have dedicated most of my personal and professional life to making the world a fairer,
equal and more beautiful place.
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For BAME Officer: Josh Kelly (St L) & Alex Owolade (TH)
I am a Teaching Assistant with experience working with children with special educational needs, at
a state secondary school in Peckham. I am ethnically Irish and Indian. I intend to take inspiration
from my background in education and establish a BAME study group, which can promote BAME
literature, history and activism.
An anti-racist, Labour Movement activist since school, I moved to Brixton in 1985. A former UNISON
steward, in its national Black & LGBT bodies, I am now in Unite, working with Hackney branch.
Dismissed by Lambeth Council for exposing racism in 2001, this sparked a community campaign,
public inquiry, Employment Tribunal victory. A founder of Movement For Justice; I campaigned (in-
cluding in the Labour Party) against Brexit, for free movement. To win, Labour must make no con-
cessions to scapegoating immigrants, speak for Black & Asian communities, immigrants and youth.
Annual Conference Delegates: Seema Syeda, Dora Dimitrova, Alex Owolade, Michael Chessum
London Regional Conference: Hassaanah Amejee, Ciaran Chillingworth, Mike Cushman, June FerrellAll candidates in this leaflet (produced by local members) are excited by Jeremy Corbyn’s
leadership and inspired by the new All Member Meetings structure of the CLP to create a new start
for Streatham. They represent a breadth of views and diversity of the constituency. They are not
Momentum candidates. Of the five branches that made nominations, Brixton Hill, St Leonard’s and Streatham
Hill nominated all the candidates; Tulse Hill nominated all candidates voted on; Streatham Wells nominated
Chair, LGBT+ and TULO. Lambeth Unison and Unite LE128 also nominated all candidates.
We hope you’ll vote for the energy, commitment, experience and skills they would bring to the CLP.
Job Share
For Youth Officer: Dora Dimitrova (TH) & Kit Finnie (St L)
I am a socialist: I believe we need a fundamental transformation in society, to put power into the
hands of working people! As an activist I do everything I can to champion this change. I am my
ward’s Youth Officer and have been doing things like leafleting for meetings. I believe we can use
the transition to AMM to reinvigorate our local party. However, the fight doesn’t end here: we need
mandatory reselection to ensure we have genuine fighters on our side!
I am a writer and performer with nearly a decade’s worth of Labour Party membership. I have for-
merly been a Youth Delegate for St. Leonard’s. I am passionate about disability rights, rebuilding the
NHS, and fighting for an equal society.
Job Share
For TULO: Ingo Marowsky (BH) & Eamon O’Hearn Large (BH)
Ingo works at the International Transport Workers Federation, which represents 20 million workers in
transport companies in the UK and around the world. Eamon is a National Officer in GMB Manufac-
turing Section representing workers in the UK Chemical, Drink, Food and Pharmaceutical industries
and major infrastructure projects like HS2. Eamon has also previously been a Ward Secretary in
Larkhall (Vauxhall), Coldharbour (DaWN) and a member of Lambeth’s Campaign Forum.
We are both active local trade unionists, including taking a lead in supporting the recent campaigns
at the Ritzy and McDonalds, which involved many workers who live in Brixton and Streatham. We
want to use this experience to build even stronger links with local and national trade union cam-
paigns, including engaging the many CLP members who are members of teaching and professional
unions. We believe that with a new All Member structure the link between the Labour Party and the
Trade Unions, including the wider labour movement, becomes more important than ever before. We
believe that sharing the responsibility will ensure that there is always a strong voice for the move-
ment at the EC.
Job Share
For Political Education: Teresa Mulqueen (CC) & John Moloney (T)
I moved to London to study photography having worked in the Druid Theatre in Galway. After com-
pleting an MA in Film, I produced work across a range of art forms including, live action and moving
image. I have facilitated educational events and Q&A sessions at various film festivals. Last year, I
led a group of Labour Party activists in organising a successful educational event exploring the de-
velopment of Home Office Immigration Policies in light of what had emerged had been happening
to the Windrush generation and the creation of the “hostile environment”
I am a professional comedy writer and performer, have been a member of the Labour Party for 40
years & was a co-founder of Red Wedge. Since our formation the Labour Party has been at the fore-
front of improving our society. I believe the role of Political Education Officer is important because
by engaging and educating people about what the Labour Party and Trade Union Movement have
achieved, we can better shape our future. Political education is exciting and can bring new people
to the Party.
Local Campaign Forum Candidates: Dan Jeffery, Kirsty Archer, Linda Heiden,
Eamon O’Hearn Large, Emily ParsonsFor Fundraising Officer: Suzanne & Andy de Emmony (St L) Job Share
Andy is a TV & Film Director, Suzanne an Artist/Curator and Arts Educator. Together we also run a
media production company. If elected, we will combine our organisational experience and skills with
our creative backgrounds to organise fun fundraising activities that will engage existing members
whilst encouraging and welcoming new ones. We have lived in Streatham for 30 years and raised
3 children here. We are life long Labour voters and both became active party members after the
EU referendum. We hold officer posts in St Leonard’s Ward where we have already organised well
attended events including a Stand-up Comedy Evening.
Job Share
For Social Media Officer: Kirsty Archer (SH) & Tom Hegarty (St L)
I work as a Campaigns Officer for Rethink Mental Illness where I work closely with the digital team
and post social media content. I have also worked for the Labour Party as a mobilisation assistant
for Cities during council elections, publishing social media content to promote campaigning events.
My priorities for this role would be to engage with and mobilise our supporters and members to
ultimately get a Corbyn led Labour Party into government and to help spread the power of socialism
throughout Streatham’s diverse communities from the grassroots.
I am a communications professional and former journalist, elected communications officer for St
Leonard’s branch in February. I previously oversaw media and social media operations for independ-
ent fact checking charity Full Fact which involved being able to appreciate a range of political views
and understand why people felt strongly about them, even when I didn’t agree. I am excited about
gaining new members, as well making the most of ones we have already, to take back Streatham
for Labour.
For Campaigns Officer: Meg Davies (TH) & Rod Smith (St L) Job Share
I have been an active member of the Labour Party since I was 16 and have held several positions
in both a previous CLP and my union, Unite. I currently work for a charity supporting young people
who have been in the care system, but before this spent two years working in Parliament for Labour
Shadow Ministers. I am committed to campaigning for a Labour government and a Labour Member
of Parliament for Streatham.
I have been a Labour Party member since 1975 and have held a variety of posts. I am an experienced
election campaigner and for approximately five years up to January 2018 I was the Campaigns
Officer for St Leonard’s. I support well thought out radical policies, which are attractive to the public
and which are clearly different to those of the Tories and Liberal Democrats.
Job Share
For LGBT+ Officer: Neil Levitan (BH) & Jude Ellis (SH)
I am a grassroots LGBT+ community activator with a passion for community campaigning and or-
ganising. I have led LGBT+ inclusion work across all denominations of the Jewish community and
was a founding trustee of a youth centre that supports over 700 young people across London. I am a
seasoned campaigner and former Eastern region Labour Party organiser. I will use my campaigning
and organising skills to facilitate the active and full participation of all LGBT+ CLP members along-
side ensuring that our manifesto commitments are communicated to local voters.
I have been a resident of Streatham since 1986 and an active member of Streatham Hill Ward.
My background is in social work and law. I am now retired, and so have the time to dedicate to the
constituency.
Branch Abbreviations (BH) Brixton Hill (CC) Clapham Common (St L) St Leonard’s (SH) Streatham Hill
(after candidates names) (SS) Streatham South (SW) Streatham Wells (T) Thornton (TH) Tulse HillJob Share
For Socialist Societies & Co-op: Neil Levitan (BH) & Sheila Wilson (SH)
I am a member of the Socialist Education Association. | believe the full range of Socialist Societies
are an important resource for the CLP that should be nurtured. I would like to link up with all of the
affiliated societies, engage with their activists who are Streatham CLP members, and increase mem-
bers’ awareness of their campaigns. My aim would be to enrich the constituency’s understanding
of current specialist issues by way of those members’ reports and resolutions for debate at the AMM
and make the constituency party a broader and livelier organisation.
I joined the party over 20 years ago and have been a member of two socialist societies, representing
one as a delegate in Streatham. I am a grassroots LGBT+ community activator with a passion for
community campaigning and organising. I am a seasoned campaigner and former Eastern region
Labour Party organiser.
For Trade Union Rep: Dan Jeffery (SH)
I have been a trade union rep since I started as an apprentice just over twenty years ago, and I am
Labour Link Officer and Vice Chair for my UNISON branch. This year I have helped lead a successful
strike campaign to win flexible working and have played a leading role in the campaign to try and
save Lambeth children’s centres. I want to work with the TULO to get a genuine input from trade
union branches and link the CLP in an active way with trade union campaigns.
For EC Rep: Alastair Crabtree (TH)
Labour’s policies are incredibly popular and so I want to help bring them to life. I’m a socialist, a
trade union activist at work and I would like to see our constituency campaigning more locally. I’m
also passionate about democracy and would like to see our EC become more accountable to the
entire membership. For the many, not the few.
For EC Rep: Emily Parsons (BH)
I joined the Labour Party to vote for Corbyn in his first leadership election. I became youth officer in
Tooting and helped set up Wandsworth Young Labour. I mobilised weekly youth canvasses for the
general election, and campaigned extensively in Balham for the excellent councillor candidates. My
biggest concern is with expanding and mobilising the membership. We have much more potential
as the party of the many. Members deserve more engagement and more participation. As EC dele-
gate, I would represent local members.
Job Share
For EC Rep: Kevin Wright (SS) & Ciaran Chillingworth (St L)
I am currently the Chair of Streatham South branch and have been a member of the Labour Party for
40 years. I have been active as a Trade Union shop steward in Unison in Lambeth (NALGO); West-
minster & Lewisham Social Services and am also a member of Unite and within that union was a key
contributor to creating the 2003 Part-timer’s Workers Act. I was also a Primary School Governor for
20 years. Now concerned about local facilities for children, parents and young people and making
local and national services more family and user friendly.
I joined the Labour Party in 2015 to vote and campaign for Jeremy Corbyn. Since then, I have been
involved with migrant solidarity and housing activism, and am a passionate supporter of Labour as
a Democratic Socialist Party. I am currently one of the Campaigns Officers for St Leonard’s, and am
passionate about migrant rights, climate action, housing and health.You can also read
