About
Who I am
A little bit about me
I am a Labour & Co-operative councillor in Northolt Mandeville in the London Borough of Ealing. Active in both parties, I serve as a Labour campaign co-ordinator and also a Co-op branch chair and a vice chair for the London Co-op Council.
I chair a scrutiny panel at the Council which is looking at Housing and Environment. I sit on a number of other committees including planning and the high streets taskforce. Committees are not always witnessed by the public, although they remain one of my favourite aspects of councillor work.
Outside of politics, my mum is from Poland and our family descends from Ukraine and we also have some Hungarian too. I might never get my head around our fascinating family history, however, I know enough to value the freedom and democracy we enjoy here. We just need a Labour government to make it all complete.
News and Views
What I have been up to
Labour Ready for Government
I was first a delegate to Annual Conference in our last year of government, and it was very exciting to be a delegate again as we most likely had our last conference in opposition.
This year, quite rightly, there was a strong focus on Violence Against Women and Girls, and if that was not enough to keep us motivated on what we needed to do to win the next election, I was moved to tears whilst hearing from a member who had little time to live, and who wanted more from our NHS, as we all do, as we all deserve.
So soon after 7 October, it was incredible to see queues around the block as members wanted to attend the Labour Friends of Israel event. The international theme was also on affirming support for Ukraine.
Wonderful to meet so many from across the country too. See you in government next year!
Engaging with Residents in all Weathers
The rain was fierce although that was no reason not to be out in my ward with council officers speaking to residents and even getting local children engaged with what we have to celebrate in our area.
Casework is always a priority too, and officers were, as always, brilliant in helping and getting things sorted.
A Borough of Sanctuary
A privilege to speak in Full Council as we want to welcome those suffering persecution and become a Borough of Sanctuary in Ealing.
Such a heartbreaking topic when the Tory government lacks compassion, although an honour to tell the story of what my own family went through under communism, and the escape that became so necessary.
By-Election Launch in Uxbridge
It was a pleasure on a very hot day to attend the launch of the by-election campaign in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, and lay down the ground work for the London election campaigning to come!
Getting our Recycling Done Right
Another highly informative site visit for the Scrutiny Panel as we visited the Material Recycling Facility in Dartford.
All dressed up ready to see the MRF in action as it puts Ealing's paper, plastic, metal, glass and more in the right place.
Fairtrade and Cooperation at the Heart
I was honoured to chair the Fairtrade campaign session at the London Co-op Party conference as this is an issue which means so much to women, children, communities, and the environment too.
I look forward to organising further Fairtrade events in the coming months. Watch this space!
A Site Visit to Celebrate our Urban Trees
I was delighted to accept an invitation to visit Grove Farm in North Greenford along with other members of the scrutiny panel, and to learn about the history of the farm and about the trees and the challenges there today.
The idea for the John Lewis Partnership and for treating employees with such respect was born here!
Getting Out The Vote in Chester
It was an uplifting day on 28 November in Chester doing my bit to get Samantha Dixon elected. I may have gone there on my own, although the great thing about by-elections is that you make new friends quickly whilst knocking on doors. People were not only promising their vote to Labour, they were going to join the party too.
Tree Planting Day!
Trees for Cities is a brilliant organisation devoted to helping volunteers plant trees, and to my delight all the people, equipment and trees came to Northolt Park in my ward on Saturday 19 November 2022.
It was an excellent opportunity for people, and children especially, who live in the nearby flats and houses to engage in nature and plant trees in the parks which are so important to our day-to-day lives, whether taking a walk to improve mental health, or just simply having fun in the playground.
It was fantastic to see so many local people enjoy the day, and make new friends, and I was highly impressed by the generous lunch and refreshments to keep our strength up during the digging, mulching, staking, and generally ensuring that the tree would be well fed and secure.
We at Ealing Council have pledged to plant 50,000 trees throughout the borough, and we do need our volunteers to help in the effort as we are all stakeholders in our parks and green spaces now.
Ealing Parks Foundation is providing so much support and hopefully we will have more Friends of Parks soon, so that we can really have our say.
The Tree Takes its Place!
First we dug a square hole for the tree and then added three stakes whilst returning what earth we needed to refill the space.
We added the mulch in a doughnut shape to ensure the tree would be fed. The mulch was kept away from the base of the tree to keep it from rotting, hence the doughnut shape.
Fabric attached the stakes to the tree, and finally the cage was wrapped around and tacked to the stakes.
Regrow, Rewild & Recycle!
I chair the Ealing Council Scrutiny Panel looking at Regrow, Rewild & Recycle, and our next meeting is centred on Trees.
Last year I chaired the Climate Emergency Scrutiny Panel and here is our final report.
My Labour Story
What else makes me proud
Standing up for people and the causes I believe in
This is me giving my maiden speech condemning the right to buy and seeking solutions to our housing crisis.
Helping others take pride in the neighbourhood
We organised a number of litter picks in our ward, and we also take part in tree planting to bring the community together.
Leading the campaigning to get Labour into power
I ensured my CLP made it to the top of the leader board in the elections last year and I motivate others to get Labour winning.
Promoting co-operative values
I run events such as here, a Fairtrade evening in Parliament discussing Fairtrade footballs and getting our MPs involved too.
Winning elections as an organiser and agent
I led and sometimes even exceeded expectations to win for candidates at local, London, Westminster, and European level.
Engaging in scrutiny so we achieve even more
I like to ask questions and this Climate Emergency committee work involved visiting a college, me thrilled to handle a gecko.
Getting residents through hard and difficult times
People need peace, a sense of safety and all too often, a decent roof above their head, such as this couple moving into a new home.
Showing appreciation for the service of others
So many dedicate themselves, paid or otherwise, and the public were delighted to say thank you and sign our card to NHS staff.
