As Young Labour members, we support Oona for mayor

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Fifty Young Labour members have today released a joint statement announcing their support for Oona King’s Mayoral bid, which LabourList brings you here:

“It is often said that Young Labour is the future of the Labour party, but our contribution is also critical to the present: through our campaigns, policy formulation and our influence over the direction of our party. As proud Londoners or residents of this incredible city, we believe the Mayoral selection now underway gives the Labour Party a unique opportunity to offer voters – especially the many undecided and switching voters – a new vision for the capital. Boris Johnson has failed – his inaction in so many areas means the big challenges affecting so many of our neighbours – especially the poorest – have gone unsolved and left London’s residents too often un-championed.

Despite his inaction and the resignation of so many deputy mayors and senior city hall staff, he will not be easily forced from office; his personality chimes with an anti-politics that is felt by so many as evident in the hundreds of thousands who turned away from Labour in 2008. To mount a serious challenge Labour should not look back, but fixate firmly on the future. We need a candidate with dynamism and ideas, who can unite outer and inner London boroughs and inspire a different politics at city hall and re-cast its relationship and re-build trust with Londoners. We believe Oona King represents Labour’s future and the opportunity to re-engage with disaffected voters, challenge the Mayor’s inaction for the tragic waste of potential it is and lead a campaign that will not only win for London Labour in 2012, but set the stage and pace for a national win in 2015. Londoners have moved on from the battles of 2008 and the 1980s so must our Party. Forward not back.”

In unity,

Caroline Alabi, Vice-Chair and Youth Officer, Dagenham CLP
Richard Angell, Deputy Director, Progress
Alex Baker, Young Fabian Executive
Olivia Bailey – NUS National Women’s Officer 2009 – 2011
Susanna Bellino, Co-Founder Labour Friends of Italy, Wimbledon CLP
Luke Bozier, Westminster North CLP
Ade Bradley, Streatham CLP
Joel Braunold – National Union of Students National Executive 2008-2009 – Hendon CLP
Jude Bunting, Bethnal Green and Bow CLP
David Chaplin, Chair, Young Fabian Executive
Matt Faulding, Dulwich and West Norwood
Helen Fitton, Finchley and Golders Green CLP
Amy Fode, Bermondsey CLP
Nat Foster – Union of Brunel Students President 2008 – 2010
Ben Garratt (Acting Director LFI)
James Green, Young Fabian Executive
Jade Groves, Wimbledon CLP
Cllr Adam Harrison, Bloomsbury, Camden
Cllr Mark Harrison, Prince’s Ward, Lambeth
Iman Hurie, Hackney North CLP
Sarah Ibrahim, Young Fabian Executive
Zezi Ifore, Presenter
Dave Ivermee, Battersea CLP
Daniel Jackson, Bethnal Green and Bow CLP
Sophia James – NUS National Executive Committee 2010 – 2011
Simon Jeffrey, Lewisham
Faye Jordan, Tooting CLP
Naushabah Khan, Policy Advisor
Richard Lane, Young Fabian Executive
Claire Leigh, Young Fabian Executive
Dave Lewis NUS National Treasurer 2007 – 2009
Ella Magal, Labour Students
Yemi Makinde, former National Union of Students National Executive Member 2009-2010
Peter Mason, Ealing Borough Organiser May 2010
Nick Maxwell, Young Fabian Executive
Susan Nash – NUS Vice President (Society and Citizenship 2009 -2011)
Rob Newman, Dulwich and West Norwood
Maryann O’Connor, Eltham CLP
Lucy Openshaw, Islington North
Adrian Prandle, Young Fabian Executive
Steve Race, Young Fabian Executive
Katherine Richards, Holborn and St Pancras CLP
Matthew Richardson, Hammersmith CLP
Anna-Joy Rickard, Young Fabian Executive
Richard Serunjogi, Croydon North
Rebecca Simon, Finchley and Golders Green CLP and LFI Board
John Stapelton, Bethnal Green and Bow CLP
Cllr Wes Streeting,Chadwell Ward, Redbridge
Ama Uzowuru – NUS National VP (Welfare) ’07-09/Limehouse CLP Chair
Matthew Walker, Dulwich and West Norwood CLP
Alice Wood, Westminster North CLP
Tal Ofer, Epping Forest CLP

(All signatories in a personal capacity)