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STATEMENT: RESULT OF THE CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON COUNCIL ELECTION, FOR MEMBERS IN THE WARD OF TETTENHALL WIGHTWICK

Kashmire Hawker • 7 May 2021

My Post Election Statement, on a Day mixed with deep pride and emotion!

WOLVERHAMPTON, West Midlands – 7pm: Friday May 7th, 2021


I wish to congratulate the Conservative and Unionist Party’s Jonathan Crofts and Ellis Turrell, on their impressive victories in yesterday’s election - for the two City of Wolverhampton Council members for the ward of Tettenhall Wightwick.


Regardless of our party differences, I give them both my warmest and good personal wishes and hope they will enjoy and embrace their shortened Term of Office, before the All Out Election under the new boundaries, on May 5th, 2022.


I also thank my fellow candidates from the Greens and Liberal Democrats, for their contribution to this democratic process – which again resulted in the biggest percentage turnout in the city at 46.64% and I fully extend my best wishes to Chris Brookes, Andrea Cantrill, Peter Hollis and David Marsh.


I give my biggest thanks to my fellow candidate Walker Darke (who has a massive political future here!), my agent Barbara Gwinnett, Don Gwinnett, Allan Hargraves, Chester Morrison, Helen Lewis, Michelle Binfield and the whole Tettenhall Labour team, for the terrific support shown, the advice given and the tens of hours; spent pounding the pavements and for many across the ward up to SIX bits of Election Material!


Most of all, I wish to give my biggest thanks to the 789 residents of Wightwick, who expressed their support at the ballot box, and I state to those folks directly, that your expression of trust, is an experience that I will forever be grateful for. And even if this week ended in defeat, I give a personal undertaking, that I will fight for what you believe within – today and always.


This election; in my mind, was all about expressing what a new, compassionate and decent kind of representation can look like within a ward which has a proud history and a future to embrace. That need for a cleaner and more accessible area, which has better transport, a more co-operative nature of doing things, engagement with our young people, safer housing, well paid jobs and showcasing culture among much more to boot, will form an even bigger part of activism moving forward.


On the result, it was always going be extremely interesting what a 2 Member Ward Election; with all 4 parties having 2 candidates a piece would mean. But Walker standing alongside me, has resulted an increase of our votes and vote share since May 2019 and has laid the foundations, to build upon at future elections.


As part of that consideration and as stated in October, was to originally not seek nomination for 2022 – as a result of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and my desire, not to both burnout and be strained; under one of the most unique years of my life and also enable a smooth transition into new employment post the Games in late 2022/early 2023.

 

However: with all 60 seats are up for grabs thanks to the long awaited Boundary Changes and this election’s gut wrenching results both nationally and at a City Level – with the loss of 5 Council seats and some incredible servants in Deputy Leader Louise Miles in Oxley and Labour Group Secretary Alan Bolshaw in Merry Hill, I intend to consult with party colleagues; across the city in the coming weeks on reversing my original thinking.


Simply put – I wish not to see the party I love, put on the rack in such a manner and ever again see visibly upset colleagues, realising that opportunities to serve has been denied. The full scale of Labour’s losses in May 2021, put the West Midlands party into unchartered territory and If I seeked to remain on the Local Campaign Forum Panel of Candidates for Wolverhampton and possibly be selected again, I would look to be as truthful as possible, to help enable better days being ahead.


Despite the negatives, I am utterly delighted to see Christopher Burden claim victory in Fallings Park and become our city’s youngest Councillor! Chris is a man with a big heart and whose experiences, will give my neighbouring ward the best possible representation.


Alongside work and Labour and Co-operative Party activism, it’s my intention to also consider what my next role in the West Midlands Young Combined Authority should be and I fully endeavour, to play as active as part in the YCA – knowing of the opportunity the YCA Board has in getting our Vision document into action.


Regardless of what the next 12 months politically holds, I am massive grateful for such an opportunity – in both seeking to serve The Labour and Co-operative Party’s and a beautiful part of Wolverhampton but learn much more – about such special communities like Wightwick and its people; one of which, will contribute to our City of Opportunity’s successes: forever and always.


ENDS

by Kashmire Hawker 2 April 2025
With 2025’s World Autism Awareness Day being today, I can’t help but reflect on how much there is to do in giving the next generation the opportunities they deserve, but that many are relishing the opportunity to input and fighting for better. Last Thursday night, I as an associate of Changing Our Lives along with others did a half hour presentation to 30 young and aspiring footballers at Sporting Khalsa in Willenhall, as part of a project that seeks to break down perceptions of Autism and Learning Disability in the South Asian Community. I came away from that feeling really encouraged and pleased, at the understanding and real sense of compassion which those youngsters had for one another and illustrates the immense power of education when in action. It also made me reflect on just how much I have personally done and achieved. A University Graduate, someone who has sat on both set of benches in special Parliamentary sittings, visited Number 10, being a guest at a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, having my first full-time job at the biggest major event that my part of the world has ever seen, then moving on to being a part of regional government, as well as volunteering at the Home of Motorsport regularly, being an advocate for various organisations in the disability, sustainability and cultural spaces and running to serve my home City for four years, are all things which for someone like me usually shouldn’t happen! But all that and much more has occurred, which just shows that when the right support is there and by working as hard as you can, people in their own ways can reach the stars. All as above mentioned feel beyond my wildest dreams, but with employment for Autistic and Neurodiverse people still incredibly low and opportunities being limited all thanks to perceptions and diagnoses, as well as broken systems holding millions back: there is still A LOT more to do. Knowing all that I have questioned myself intently: what more can I do as part of such an important mission? Well, with me having scooped 5,102 votes from four Local Government Elections since 2021, even if the last two polls have been incredibly narrow failures which have naturally drained some confidence, I am firmly of the belief that having skin the game, utilising and highlighting personal experiences and willing to go above and beyond in the service of others, is far better than sitting on the sidelines as some, particularly of other generations have somewhat suggested. As a 27 year old whose generation has had potential squashed and opportunities reduced; particularly fellow Autistic and Neurodivergent people and those who reside in communities which has been chronic underinvestment, sitting back for me will never been option. And seeing too, contrary to many narratives and views of some, that many are able to juggle personal lives, alongside their careers, representational responsibilities and other things; I cannot see why that should hinder my aspiration and mission of giving back to the place which I am grateful for opening up all I have done, since becoming a Wulfrunian in 2009. So after very lengthy and hard fought consideration in the last several months and with processes now underway, I do today confirm it’s my intention to apply to be part of The Labour Party’s approved Panel of Candidates and therefore seek selection for the City of Wolverhampton Council Elections on Thursday May 7th 2026 . There have been many points which I have come very close to walking away and putting out a statement declining to apply to be on the Panel of Candidates, not least through things which have been stated and which I believe deliberately and by calculation seek to discourage people like me. I however, as I feel I have shown at many stages in my life, am not one for quitting and with my experiences, growing knowledge and unlimited passion for seeking to be a real change maker and a contributor for the common good, feel that my time to step up that service through Local Government, has duly arrived. I thus look forward to again seeking to submit myself for even greater service in the coming months and if selected by a Branch, will embrace campaigning in seeking what is right. And knowing that I have sought to serve others in the past 13 years, I state that why can’t others who have wonky glasses like me, who take a little longer to think stuff through like me and who perhaps need a few more folks to give them a hand, be able to be a change maker too! I will look forward to updating you all on this and other things down the line, with humility rooted in my heart.
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