PPC Profile: Emma Reynolds

Full Name: Emma Reynolds www.emmareynolds.org.uk

Age: 31

From: Wolverhampton

PPC for: Wolverhampton North East

Selection Result: I actually can’t remember the exact figures but I won by about 15 votes on an open-shortlist. It was tough!

Member of the Labour Party Since: 2003

CV:
I moved back home to Wolverhampton, into the constituency, after my selection. Until then, I worked at the heart of Government as Special Adviser in Downing Street and the House of Commons. I know my way around Government and I want to use that knowledge to fight to get the best for the constituency.

Previously, I lived and worked abroad. In Brussels, I helped set up a small business which supported British companies in understanding and influencing EU laws. I then moved on to become Robin Cook’s political adviser in his capacity as President of the Party of European Socialists.

I went to local state schools, secured a place at Oxford University and graduated in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. I speak several languages – French, Spanish and Italian – and I have also worked in France, Spain, Argentina and Pakistan.

I was inspired to get into politics because:
For the first few years of my life, I grew up in a Council flat living with my Mom when my parents separated. I went to local state schools with kids who went on to do very different things with their lives. I was struck back then that inequalities in income were very difficult to breakdown and that they affected people’s chances of success in education and later on.

I became interested in politics through studying economics. I was appalled by the Tories’ approach to the recessions of the 80s and 90s and their assertion that unemployment was a price worth paying to control inflation. I felt strongly, and still do, that people’s livelihoods should not be sacrificed in that way.

My main policy interests are:
The economy, foreign affairs and public services.

3 things that should be in the next Labour manifesto:
1 – Free school meals for all primary school children and these meals must represent a healthy diet – no chips!
2 – A strategy for manufacturing which takes into account the setbacks of the recession and puts in place measures to ensure that we further develop our manufacturing base. I admit this is vague but unfortunately I don’t have any magic bullets up my sleeve.
3 – Giving parents a right to “parental leave” rather than maternity and paternity leave so that parents can share parental leave equally if they want to.

I think people should vote for me because:
I am passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of people in Wolverhampton North East. As an MP, I would use my understanding of local concerns and my experience of Government to get the best for my constituents. I want to push for a more equal society and further improvements in the NHS, housing and schools. I want people in Wolverhampton to have the same opportunities in life, regardless of whether they live in Wightwick or Low Hill (you’ll need some knowledge of Wolverhampton to understand the full thrust of this).