21:30 GMT - FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25TH 2022: WOLVERHAMPTON, WEST MIDLANDS

Seeing how my neck of the wood, has rejected The Labour Party in such a big fashion over the last few years and knowing how many like me are experiencing Poverty, Racism and complete Inequality (not least fellow disabled people), I CANNOT standby and watch on.

The West Midlands NEEDS a Young Labour wing that is Positive in its work, Accessible in what it does and crucially: UNIFIED in both its members and Ambition. And as a Cooperative man, a Fabian and a Community member, I want to play a role in getting us back in power.

That is why and after lengthy personal consideration, I will stand for Young Labour National Committee West Midlands Representative; in what will be my 1st and only ever YL National Election aged 24!

I start as a one man band and will probably get laughed at in some quarters as a result, but I hope to build a coalition full of young West Midland members, who feel that the desire for change strikes them.

Please do contact me via my website form, if you would like to help with this campaign, which my simple aim is to at least get on the ballot: with the support of Three CLP’s or Young Labour groups across the region by Mid-June.

I’m Kashmire Hawker and for a Positive, Accessible and Unified WM Young Labour, I offer my services to this party, which has given me so much and I wish to give back!

My full candidate's statement, which I submitted in nomination on Tuesday February 22nd is as follows:

Seeing Labour lose in a region like the West Midlands, as well as being in a divided movement shows change is required.

Being an Autistic and BAME man whose experienced poverty, racism and the constant fear that I wouldn’t achieve thanks to societal inequality – I cannot standby.

I’m proud to be WM Young Combined Authority’s Co-Chair, an associate of a disability charity, being on Young Fabians WM committee, volunteer at Silverstone and Wolves youngest Council candidate in 2021.

As well as a Labour member, I’m a Co-op, Fabians and Community Union member and this plus the experience listed, is what is needed to help build a WM youth wing that is Positive, Accessible and Unified.

If Elected, I aim to:
– Help form Young Labour groups in all areas
– Hold campaigning events in fully accessible locations
– Create a Co-Produced Youth Vision for our region, which form part of Elections manifestos
– Expand the use of Dialogue and Social Media in campaigning
– Being transparent about my voting and views on committee
– And work with ANYONE – regardless of views across the party

‘All we ask is the chance to serve’ - lets prove it, together!

ENDS