It is an honour to have been JLM’s Local Government Officer for the past 3 years. During this time I have attended JLM canvass sessions for a range of candidates and helped develop and run several sessions at the annual conference, including on mentoring and supporting councillors, combatting violence against women and girls and interfaith. I have also reached out to give support following 7 October 2023, hosting a meeting for local councillors and establishing a WhatsApp group. Our focus for the next period should be on supporting councillor candidates and also inputting into the Government’s crucial cross-departmental focus on combatting antisemitism, as well as more positive initiatives and celebrations of Jewish life.

I have extensive local government experience in policy development and delivery as a Burnt Oak councillor in Barnet since 2018, and Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Chair of the Safer Communities Partnership Board since 2022. I’m also a member of Labour’s Safer Street Commission of the National Policy Forum; a member of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Safer and Stronger Communities Committee; and Co-Chair of the LGA’s Special Interest Group on Countering Extremism.

From this work I have strong learning and experience relevant to core interests of JLM councillors, councillor candidates and members, including giving evidence to select committees on cohesion and on policing/community safety, and representation and speeches at a range of parliamentary and ministerial events.

Also, I bring over 30 years’ experience from the creative, commercial, charity and community sectors - bringing people together to drive positive change - including a decade as a senior policy advisor in the music sector, partnerships roles in the youth sector, and working for Labour’s Industry Forum. I have been involved in grassroots community policy development and delivery for many years – including as a member of Nisa-Nashim Muslim-Jewish Women’s Network, and as a trustee at Sebby’s Corner and the Arts Depot, and previously as a trustee at Jewish Volunteering Network. I’m also a member of GMB, Unison, and the Fabian Society, and endorsed by the Co-operative Party.

Thank you for your support for local government at a key time for our Party and our movement locally and nationally over the next 3 years.