As a note at the start – I am publishing this, whilst suffering with Coronavirus which I tested Positive for on Saturday November 27^th, so I hope this all makes sense when reading!

WOLVERHAMPTON, WEST MIDLANDS: 14:00PM GMT - FRIDAY DECEMBER 3RD 2021

Selections for Labour Candidates, to run for the party on May 5^th in the City of Wolverhampton have finally begun and with that being the case, I wish to declare of where I stand in a number of areas and a decision which I have made as a result.

Politics is in a period where voices like mine, are needed more than ever – knowing of the huge set of crises our nation and the globe collectively face. I have no doubt that through my advocacy for disabled people, representing 16-25-year-olds across the region through the Young Combined Authority – which last week landed our 1^st award from the Royal Town Planning Institute and in many more arenas, I can continue to fight for the better world and in fact better Wolverhampton we need.

However – through the extraordinary opportunity I have in working at the Birmingham 2022 Festival – which come it’s end in September will see me seeking new employment, is going to be one of the most hectic, rewarding and fulfilling years of my existence to date. Knowing how burnt out I felt after May 2021’s poll, I certainly wish not for that to be the case, in the run up to playing my small part in the West Midlands biggest ever event; which I have no doubt will transform our patch of land forever.

I also feel that the shattered feeling post the ballot, was thanks to the joy of running in the area where unless an asteroid destroyed all of mankind barring one Labour voter, then my party would never be able to achieve victory. That disappointment is something I wish to not disrupt myself as I go about my important responsibilities ahead of the games and of which also makes me believe that I can’t crack it politically.

Also and via the information which I have received, through myself sitting on the newly established Local Government Committee, the options for myself on the table further confirm that both being patient in seeking a winnable seat, along with getting used to inner party-structures and vitally building up my campaign experience, will be more beneficial in the present circumstances.

As a result of what I have just outlined, I have with some reluctance but with full confidence come to the conclusion that I will NOT seek nomination for the wards which are available for selections, unless any of the following circumstances occur:

1. I am directly asked by a ward or senior leadership in the city group to put my name forward
2. That a ward has no nominations, and they are in need of what they deem to be a suitable candidate
3. Or if a trigger ballot causes the deselection of an existing Councillor and of which is a ward, that I deem I can win both in a selection and at the polls on May 5^th

Some no doubt will pose the question “why chuck such a good opportunity away?” As mentioned above, I feel that the opportunities that lie across 2022 and the inevitable change I will have, gives me more than enough to contend with.

And with 2023 being Election’s on new boundaries and all 60 planned seats being elected to, I am confident that what I’ve outlined above, will leave me in a stronger position to approach; particularly with my ambition to support all candidates across the city and through this announcement, I very offer myself to do a campaign session, in all 20 wards across our city.

I hugely look forward to enhancing such campaigning and through a lot less stress, help my Labour and Co-operative Party colleagues to success on May 5^th.