Raised on the West Marsh in Grimsby, with the poorest, the best and brightest of people. Our teachers never mentioned university, it wasn’t even considered for a child like me. Thatcher at the helm, a time of desperation, of a decimated dock and fishing industry, of no hope, of watching my dad cry because the Tories took his job.
My sister, who is incredibly bright, should have gone to Oxbridge, denied though as she was a poor kid, and a university education simply wasn’t considered for people like us. I was homeless at 16, pregnant with my daughter at 18, despite this, I managed to achieve a great career and financial stability.
My background and career provide an understanding of how to support others to escape from poverty. A business and marketing expert, I am as comfortable talking to a group of businesspeople or specialists as I am on the doorstep. I am not a career politician and will do things differently. I am not afraid to shout if I feel that this will benefit our people. If I am privileged to be selected, I will work to engage and unite our CLP, and to give our area the best chance to return a Labour MP.