Why I’m standing to be the Labour candidate for Tower Hamlets’ first elected mayor

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By Rosna Mortuza

Most of you will know Tower Hamlets as a celebrated melting pot of history, culture and diversity. For me, like for so many others, Tower Hamlets is simply Home. The hidden gems of the estates I grew up in, the schools and teachers that helped us, the heritages, languages and mother tongues that enriched us, the spirit, talent and potential of local communities as well as the activists enabled us to break through. All this and the sheer hard work that our parents put in for us are what makes the fabric of one of the most giving and nurturing places I know.

I am standing for the mayoralty to hold on to the things I care about and fight for the things that so many of us believe in. That means giving Tower Hamlets the leadership and reputation it deserves.

I want to lead the borough and not just the Council. As a child of the borough, I have clearly benefitted from Labour values and its programmes at a local level. My journey has seen me move from some of the most deprived and disadvantaged wards in the East End, to University and a successful career with choices and opportunities my parents’ generation could only aspire to. Like many others we rarely hear from or even about, I am a Labour success story. People like me want to start shaping the dialogue and direction to enable others to have the same. We’re no longer guests in our own home; we’ve actually got a lot to say and give back.

The selection in this contest will be a big test of Labour’s willingness to support new candidates who represent a new generation of activists. It cannot be about finding people from the past – not if we’re serious about our political future. Tower Hamlets has the third largest percentage of 20-34 year olds (37%) of all local authorities in the country. 15-44 year olds make up 59% of the population of the borough compared to a 42% national average. This young population profile is set to continue. This is a real opportunity to enable new people to participate – crucial if we want to re-energise and reinvigorate not just the borough but also the Labour Party.

There are children of the borough who have grown up within the labour movement and have jobs, skills and experience of the real world. They are products of the movement in their learnt professional abilities, and they also encompass a strong gut awareness of social realities. Surely this is the talent we ought to be harnessing to revitalise Labour? I am ready to reclaim the hijacked narrative of the role of women, religion and politics in civic society. If Labour cannot take a calculated risk on those like me, my question is: who, and when?

Finally, as elected mayor I would want to be judged on key policy areas. The next few years will be tough times for London boroughs and the elected mayor has to have the skills and confidence to bring all the public agencies together.

Housing would be at the heart of this agenda as I’ve seen first hand how the problems of over-crowding, poor housing conditions and homelessness can affect the health and life opportunities for people in local communities. We need affordable rented accommodation to truly regenerate our communities and continue the investment of having a social mix.

In the current climate of coalition cuts we also need to ensure that Tower Hamlets does not suffer disproportionately from higher unemployment, in a place where a significant section of residents are employed within the public sector.

We must maximise the massive opportunities presented by the Olympic Games and Canary Wharf both being on our doorstep. Our educational, training, apprenticeships and vocational offers, as well as support for small businesses and social enterprises, must reflect these aspirations.

For many young people, the borough has done exceptionally well in raising educational standards but we cannot be complacent when jobs will become even more difficult to find. Every child should continue to have the opportunities I had to go to the best universities and work for the best organisations in the UK.

Finally, none of this can be possible without good health and health services. It’s the business I’m familiar with, where integrated and joint commissioning must play a part to improve the quality of life, which isn’t reduced by every tube stop drawing us closer to the inner cities. By 2014 we must see an end to a borough of such contrast and inequalities.

I am Labour through and through. I’ve been campaigning in local elections for the Labour Party since the age of nine and more recently for Bethnal Green and Bow to be returned home to Labour. As a young British, Bangladeshi and Muslim woman, this is my opportunity to make a difference and showcase the commitment, calibre and integrity from communities like ours that are so interested and capable in playing their part. Labour just needs to re-learn how to celebrate and champion its own success stories.

Email me at [email protected]

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