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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!
A Very Happy New Year! A few more Reflections on 2024 and a 2025 Preview
As 2024 comes toward an end, I can say that this year for me has been one of change, one of further development and one of opening my eyes in many ways. In typing this reflection, I feel immensely satisfied and proud to have made this year my first in a full-time job without a fixed end date, in an organisation of the West Midlands Combined Authority, which has plenty of opportunities for me to consider in the coming months and years and working within in an outstanding team. I also feel hugely delighted at continuing to give my time in voluntary service, not least through Parkrun, Silverstone and in the perhaps once in a generation Champions League Final at Wembley in the Summer, as well as raise £405, in two events of the Great Birmingham Run of £130 for Cure Leukemia and £275 at the Molineux Sleepout for Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation and The Good Shepherd. On top, to have again sought office to serve my home city for a fourth year running and garnered 1,656 votes (even if not a winning total!), as well as contributed to successful wider political campaigning for my party’s and substantially expanded on my engagement in them gave me a privilege and deeper fire in the belly than ever before, in giving back to Wulfrunians. Finally, many more runs, seeing Taylor Swift, Kaiser Chiefs and The Darkness in concert, plus a sublime Musical about the pop heroes in Steps, marching at two Pride events, continuing engagement with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Solutions for the Planet and Changing Our Lives and completing a fantastic personal development programme on getting younger folk as Trustees in Arts and Cultural organisations, have all formed part of another busy 12 months. Naturally however, losing an Election and your best furry friend in my house’s dog Harley, alongside needing to help move my Mum to a safer place, all in the space of 7 weeks stung greatly in May and June. The death of a beloved dog and family member and Mum’s house move were not easy financially to deal with, but I managed it as has been the case with previous years. This year has also meant some greatly more honest and blunt conversations, which have burnt a few bridges with once seen trustworthy allies and pals. Being straight and upfront however is sometimes the best course and I don’t regret that for one moment, not least when the mind is burdened enough with day-to-day activity. Those things have definitely made me really realised that the world is a big and lonely place, and that sense of loneliness continues to affect my thoughts. This no doubt feels true and always will do at Christmas, with December 25th being the anniversary of Kieran’s passing in 2021 aged just 25 and I frankly will never know how to truly feel on the day itself. Knowing he is not here to share Christmas lunch will always put a size 9 boot dent in my heart. Having said that, I have good people around me and I give my wholehearted thanks to all for your continued support and good wishes, at what will forever be a sensitive and mournful point of the year, in my family’s life. In whatever way which you and your family mark this festive and new year period, I hope it is as enjoyable and peaceful as it possibly can be and that it gives a chance to rest and be with those closest to you, as well as embrace it being the season of giving, whether gifts or love. A further blog post, or two, on reflecting 2024 and looking ahead to 2025 shall come before the clock hits midnight next Wednesday.
The Co-operative Party has been a natural home for me for towards five years and gives me a brilliant platform to shout about and run on critical issues. As Chair of the Walsall, Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire, Branch and as a Labour and Co-operative candidate in Local Elections in my home City of Wolverhampton since 2021, I’m proud to make an impact and with the party’s immense expansion over the years, I would be honoured to play a bigger part. And as someone with experience in Youth Representation – most recently with the West Midlands Young Combined Authority and Labour Party wise as the current Policy and Political Education Officer for the Wolverhampton West CLP, I feel ready to use that skill set to the full. Thus, if Elected as a Youth Committee Member, I will: Help to establish a WM Young Co-operative Youth Network spread right across my region, which is not just stuck within the Metropolitan centre; Work with Labour groups across my region, for them to Elect a Co-operative Rep on to their committee s; Engage with our friends In Trade Unions, Fabians Society and The Labour Party to run joint events; whether campaigning, educational or socially; Work with colleagues to ensure events are accessible as possible, not least for Neurodiverse people ; Join Young Co-operators up and down the nation in campaignin g; And be Accountable and Transparent in my work as per the Nolan Principles, so fellow Members can question me at any moment . We have a wonderful opportunity to shape the Party’s future and with a Labour and Co-operative Government now in place, it would be a huge privilege for myself to play a part. Please vote Kashmire Hawker for Youth Committee. Thank You!
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A special blog post, in reflecting upon seeing one of the greatest artists of our times on August 19th!
Some reflections on the events of the past several days.
A Response to the Announcement following yesterday's Fan Advisory Board Meeting.
Happy New Year! A post on my hopes for A BIG period now here.
