PPC Profile: Philippa Latimer

Full Name: Philippa Latimer

Age: 26

From: Hitchin, Hertfordshire

PPC for: St Ives, Cornwall

Website: www.philippalatimer.co.uk

Selection Result: It was in May 2008 and it was something along the lines of 22-1 votes in favour

Member of the Labour Party since: 2007

CV:
I went to the University of Sussex and graduated in 2005. I moved to London in 2006 to work as a Parliamentary Analyst. Continuing in the public affairs industry, I moved to an organisation in the Housing sector where I worked as a Policy Advisor. Most recently, I have joined a trade body operating in the retail property sector. I now work on issues relating to sustainability and regeneration.

I was inspired to go into politics because:
When people ask this question, I always wonder what it is that they are expecting to hear in response. I wish that I had one particular experience or anecdote that appropriately sums up why I feel drawn towards politics. I suppose the key point is this – things do not get better by magic. The minimum wage did not just appear overnight. SureStart did not fall from the sky. Warmfront was not a self generating policy. Over the years, people in politics have identified problems in society and sought to address them, to make the country that little bit better.

I am well aware that there is still much more to do. And, clearly, it is really easy to sit on the sidelines and criticise. It is easy to sit at home and watch the news and come to the view that politicians (of all parties) have got this wrong or that wrong.

So it wasn’t necessarily a moment of inspiration, but rather just the gradual formulation of my own view. Instead of criticising, I decided to get involved.

My main policy interests are:
I have worked in the housing and property sector for the last few years, so I have become pretty involved with regeneration and issues relating to placemaking and mixed communities.

In terms of personal policy interests, I believe that we need to do so some pretty serious thinking regarding prison reform. Did you know that 70% of women prisoners have 2 or more diagnosed mental health issues? I find that frightening.

Also, a final personal policy plug: I am a massive pro-European. I think we need to do so much more to explain what the EU has brought to Britain, rather than letting the narrative constantly be dominated by anti-European sentiments.

Three things I think should be in the next Labour manifesto are:
1 – Reform of the prison system.

2 – Increased resources directed to mental health.

3 – Votes at 16.

I think people should vote for me because:
I still know how to listen. Too many politicians have become disengaged from the communities which they seek to represent. I believe that the best way to represent a community is to actually listen to it, not to try and guess what other people want or feel. I like communication, all forms of it. So, if people vote for me, they will know they can get in touch with me whenever and however they want to.