Anntoinette Bramble - Hackney candidate for 2010 elections

The opportunity to shadow a Labour MP provided by Operation Black Vote gave Anntoinette the confidence to consider putting herself forward for a more active role in politics, and encouragement from her local Labour councillor led her to seek selection as a councillor candidate. She sees the role as being about achieving change, as she says:

She has seen many positive changes in Hackney in recent times, but acknowledges that the perception is that there has not been enough change. As a former free-lance journalist she has seen the difference that the media can make and wants to bring those skills to bear in improving the reputation of the borough.

Now a teacher, Anntoinette is also a teacher governor and has been part of helping her school get through some difficult and challenging times - further skills she feels that she could use in the role of councillor. Faith is also an important motivation for her personally, volunteering at the local Church of England and at a Saturday supplementary school.

Having spent time as a Labour Group observer to get to understand a bit more about the role of Labour councillors, she put herself forward for the panel of candidates. Of the selection process to become a candidate, Anntoinette says:

Her local Labour councillor, Sally Mulready, supported her throughout by talking about her role as a councillor and explaining the selection process.  Anntoinette adds: