Home

Welcome to the Be a Labour Councillor web pages. Here you will find information about what it's really like to be a Labour councillor, what the Labour Party expects of its locally elected representatives, what you might be able to do if you become a Labour councillor and how to go about getting selected and elected.

Shiria Khatun - Tower Hamlets councillor: "I come from a family that has always supported and voted Labour – you can say it’s tradition to some extent. I feel strongly that my own personal values are the same as Labour's and that the Labour Party is the only Party that is inclusive and not exclusive."

Anntoinette Bramble - Hackney councillor candidate for 2010 elections: "Becoming a councillor will provide a challenging forum to use and develop new skills. I would also enjoy having more responsibility within my community and gaining a broader knowledge of community life. Politics is a very important aspect of my life and becoming a councillor would enhance my capacity to make a difference within my community."

Tulip Siddiq - Camden councillor candidate for 2010 elections: "I am interested in local issues such as local jobs, public transport and crime in the area. I want to become a Councillor so that I can get involved in tackling these concerns and help make the voice of constituents heard."

Dipu Ahad - Newcastle City councillor: "I believe in the Labour Party and wanted to get into politics when I was young so that I could relate to different groups of people from the other, older councillors. I represent the ward that I was born and grow up in and that's important to me - I'm passionate about helping my community."

Mary Foy - Gateshead City councillor: "I was motivated to become active in my community by my faith and set up our local Credit Union 15 years ago, before being inspired by my councillor husband to seek election myself. I now represent the area where we live with our three teenage children."

Patrick Kitterick - Leicester City councillor: "One of the things that surprised me was that as a councillor you often have a lot more power to directly help people than a MP."

Henri Murison - Newcastle City councillor: "I work hard on the side of local people. Together, we can achieve their aspirations for where they want to live."

James Lewis - Leeds City councillor: "Being a councillor can sometimes seem relentless work but it is also rewarding, be it a thank you from a resident you’ve helped or seeing a major project get off the ground."

Maybe you have been active in your community already - in a voluntary group or as a governor in your child's school? Or perhaps an interest in politics is motivating you to get more involved at the local level, to put your political beliefs into practice? Or maybe something is happening locally that you want to challenge or change - an unwanted development proposal or crime problems where you live?

Labour councillors come from all walks of life, ages and backgrounds. They are as varied as the communities that they represent – and that is important to us. But whatever their motivation, they have at least two things in common: a belief in Labour values and a desire to make a difference in their community.

Labour believes that local councillors are a crucial part of our democracy. They provide a vital link between local people and the public services that affect our daily lives. A good Labour councillor speaks up for their community and represents their views. Labour councillors also provide strong, visible leadership in taking the difficult decisions that often have to be faced by local councillors and in explaining to the affected community why those decisions have had to be made. Whatever your experience or motivation, the Labour Party wants to hear from you.

Be a Labour Councillor

Be a Labour Councillor

More...

Councillor blogs