The Campaign Diary - Hello Wightwick!

Blog Layout

The Campaign Diary - Hello Wightwick!

Kashmire Hawker • 28 February 2021

With 66 Days To Go, I launch a Campaign Diary and this first post is simple:
Hello Tettenhall Wightwick!

To be writing this blog post - 66 days from a most wonderful moment in my life; that being in seeking to serve some awesome people, is something I would never dared to dream of, when moving to Wolverhampton (specifically Heath Town); on Saturday August 15th, 2009. It makes it even more remarkable; that as a 23 Year Old British Asian, Autistic and Bisexual man - I am even on a ballot; knowing how unequal society STILL is towards people like myself, within the year of 2021!

I feel immense pride in seeking such a humbling opportunity, knowing that at such an age, I am asking Tettenhall Wightwick for vote for something different, of which the difference is both in party and personality.

In party terms, Wolverhampton has been under Labour leadership since late 2010, of which the Council has been forced to cut to the bone; thanks to the loss of over half of Government funding. I have no doubt - that if such harsh and inexcusable cuts were never imposed, such key local services including Libaries, Youth Centres and Police stations would still be in present in a much bigger form. Knowing the height of austerity meant my family - particuarly my disabled and partially sighted Mother had to many times scrap together pennies to keep us ticking by, is an experience that scares me and should scare the consience of our nation.

At least however, I can say within the pandemic - our leadership has looked after our own, with over £25 Million spent on responding to the Coronavirus; which Whitehall hasn't yet refunded as promised. Those who seeked support with food, medication, practical support and more, have seen that from moment one of the viruses emergance, of such help being in place and even if Wightwick is the city's wealthiest area, I feel confident that all supported will forever feel grateful.

In terms of being grateful, my story is one that surely no one could have forseen; when making the move to Wolves, from the Area of Outstanding Beauty of the Malvern Hills. Upon finishing my time, at Fort Royal Community Primary School in Worcester in 2009 (a Special Educational Needs school for 4-11 year olds), I geniunely didn't know what life laid before me until October 30th of that year; 3 days before commencing Secondary education at Heath Park when seeing that the UK Youth Parliament held it's first Commons sitting on ITV News.

My words of "I would love to be like them one day!" struck a bulb, that as a 12 year old disabled boy made me knew that political activity, would be the place where differences in not just mine, but people's lives can be made.

Knowing that since March 1st 2012, I have served as a Youth MP, Youth Councillor, were on the Development Group for The Way Youth Zone, twice spoken in the House of Lords' annual Chamber Event, as well as making contributions on BBC Question Time, the NAtional Union of Students' Conference and prior to University studies (and since post Uni too), been part of Hagley based disability rights based charity Changing Our Lives - all of which enabled to join Birmingham 2022's Organising Commitee in August 2020 and be part of the West Midlands Young Combined Authority (meaning engagement regionally), makes me smile as a result of my breadth of experience already gained and being part of such a large span of things; which has been done, with hardly a penny until recently!

That humbleness is what spurs me forward the most and knowing of the richness of Wightwick as a ward; which through the gloriousness of Smestow Valley, Wightwick Manor, the bustling nature of Upper Street, the recent but outstanding edition of the Heritage Transport Centre (which has spectacular replicas of Brum's famous car) and all coupled with the forever incredible work of Compton Hospice, the rightful and needed planned redevlopment of the Wolverhampton Environment Centre, the soon to be reborn Compton Youth Centre through Windmall Community Chruch and the outstnading educational insituations that have Wightwick at it's heart; all fils me with with impressiveness and illustrates any representative, needs to feel great pride in a communities offering.

Knowing however, that from my first Phone Canvassing sessions; through Labour's excellent Dialogue system, that people many feel unconnected with those with responsability (one lady said I was her first political contact since 1986!), that roads need urgent attention (a good example of that is Grove Lane via it's narrowness and inaccessability), the need for a green and clean space; not helped at present, through Travel Express's horribly edmitting bus fleet, the need for cheaper and more affordable housing (which the WEC redevelopment will play a big part towards) and more to boot, makes the task of enhancing resident's livilhoods ever a tricky task.

For all who read this (via my campaign page on Facebook), please do send your ideas and feelings, about the things that matter most and a People Powered plan, will be created for the campaign.

Even if The Labour Party has always struggled to gain traction across Wightwick, I think the Pandemic has proved that the nation CANNOT stay the same, that a new and different type of representative fighting for ordinary people is needed. Seeing too that I in 2015, was awarded Joint Runner-Up for Wolverhampton's Young Citizen (which is back for 2021!) - in playing such a big part in getting young people's voices made loud and clear; proves that something new - via my youthful self and in a fashion that has co-operation, honesty and compassion at it's heart, can make a real difference.

May 6th delivers a chance, for A New Future to be forged - both within this ever evoving city and this most spectacular part of the United Kingdom: in the West Midlands; after the most scary 11 years which has seen everyone other than the top 5% suffer.

Knowing I have broken ground in my near 23 1/2 years alive, makes me think that through showcasing the honestly, humidity and decency needed for a Councillor - ANYTHING is certainly possible, when minds, ideas and co-operation come together and with it being my first election as a party candidate, I will embrace the next 9 weeks massively; knowing the chance to serve is the prize being seeked.

And in looking forward to clocking up the campaign miles (if I and others deem it safe enough), the expense on social media and the hours speaking on phones - of which one's experiences will be stated here; I hope that in running for such service and in knowing of the opportunity, which serving can achieve: that in seeking my greatest achievement of my life to date - I make the fine people of Tettenhall Wightwick have pride, in who is on a ballot paper; knowing YOU are the boss!

< Older Post Newer Post >