Policy making under the Tories felt almost like a weapon against communities like mine. Every action they took felt like a harsh blow, and the fact that austerity was effectively devolved to councils to impose swingeing cuts to services has led to a massive breakdown of trust towards politicians. This is being exploited by Reform, sowing divisions and taking advantage of people’s desperation by stoking blame. 

 

We now have incredible lived experience representation among the Cabinet and the Prime Minister himself, but they cannot be expected to carry the torch for the millions of people suffering social injustices themselves, on top of the burden of governing, and particularly in a febrile environment where distrust exists - those questioning authority stoked by Reform (and the Tories blaming everyone but themselves for their fourteen years of social vandalism) are reluctant to listen to any politicians. The environment is too hostile.

I am embedded in my community, which is one of the most deprived areas in Sheffield, and I know there are many people embedded in their communities around the country who are Labour members, like me, and who are in despair at the rise of the populist right, like me.

 

I am therefore seeking to create this network to counter these issues and offer positive solutions. Working together we can overcome our barriers to participation and be more involved in the party. Working together we can provide support to the leadership and ensure that lived experience is at the forefront of policy. Working together putting our Labour values into practice we can make a difference.

 

I am seeking anyone with lived experience of social injustices to come forward and get in touch with me. Let’s have a conversation and build a network.

 

Let’s get this done!