PPC Profile: Eleanor Tunnicliffe

Full Name: Eleanor Tunnicliffe

Age: 30

From: London originally, but grew up in Hermitage, a little known village near Reading (just off junction 13 of the M4, to be more precise).

PPC for: Richmond Park

Website: www.etunnicliffe.co.uk

Selection Result: Selection is a bit of a distant memory now, but my dim recollection is that I won by 15 to 20 votes.

Member of the Labour Party since: 2002

CV:
I was born at St Helier’s hospital in Carshalton, London. At the time my Dad was working as an accountant in London and my mum was teaching. Eighteen months later my brother came along to complete the family set.

When I was six my Dad’s job was relocated so we upped sticks and moved to Newbury near Reading. I grew up there, going to the local comprehensive schools for my GCSEs and A-levels. I got a place at Cambridge University, where I had a wonderful and challenging three years studying politics, sociology and history, helping out with the student union, learning to row and playing football.

After graduating I moved to London to study law. I now work as a solicitor, advising public sector organisations like NHS trusts, universities and charities on their roles and responsibilities. It is interesting work and gives me an invaluable insight into the environment in which these organisations operate, and the opportunity to get to know those working at the sharp end, their concerns and hopes for the future. I also volunteer for my firm’s pro bono clinic, which advises young people who are starting up new businesses with the aid of the Prince’s Trust.

I was inspired to go into politics because:
I think that what you get out of life should depend on what you put into it, not where you start off from.

My main policy interests are:
The NHS, constitutional reform.

Three things I think should be in the next Labour manifesto are:
1 – Build more council flats and houses.
2 – A referendum on electoral reform (if we haven’t announced one by then).
3 – A minimum price for a unit of alcohol.

I think people should vote for me because:
They believe what I believe in – that we should provide opportunities to those who want them, that we should support the vulnerable and care for the environment around us. The Lib Dems in Richmond have done the opposite of these things. They axed meals on wheels for the elderly and provided frozen food and a microwave instead. They tried to sell off the local playing fields. They are attempting to concrete over green areas of the Thames riverside to build luxury flats. Plus the council tax is the second highest in London – running at £1,287 a year for an average household – despite the fact that local people are frustrated about the quality of the services the Council delivers. So as far as Richmond Park is concerned, it’s time for a change.

AOB:
I’m a member of a local rowing club in Kew and in my spare time enjoy going for a paddle along the Thames between Richmond Lock and Barnes Bridge, or taking the bike for a spin around the beautiful Richmond Park.