I am seeking re-election to the Group Executive Committee (GEC) for 2026/27.

Since joining the GEC in 2024, I have served on TU Operations, the Personnel Committee, and as the GEC Liaison Officer for the Southeast Region. I also hold positions as Branch Secretary, Secretary of the DWP Northeast Regional Committee, and an active Branch representative, alongside being a member of the PCS Northern Regional Committee.

My recent work on the GEC has involved close collaboration with Regional Organisers and Learning Officers to ensure our group-wide Organising and Learning strategies are informed by regional agendas. I’ve consistently engaged with leadership teams in Retirement Services, Working Age/Move to UC, and my own directorate, Accessibility, Disability and Disputes, to actively address issues affecting our members.

If re-elected, I will continue to ensure the GEC prioritises members’ concerns with DWP leadership and provides strong support to branches and representatives in resolving workplace issues.

I see first-hand the sheer hard graft and dedication of Left Unity members on the GEC for our members. Right now, we are actively supporting branches to boost activism and ballot participation.

Notwithstanding postal delays, the ballot result sent a clear message to DWP leadership – PAY US MORE!

The BLN/IL opposition now call the ballot campaign “woeful” yet their numbers on the GEC before and during the campaign were supportive and enthused so why the sudden change in position now?  Cynical behaviour.

BLN/IL are a front for the Socialist Party and AWL using PCS as their platform for bitterness sowing division amongst activists.  For them it is Party first, PCS members second.

Left Unity, however, is not influenced by any external political parties. Our actions are driven solely by your concerns, for your working lives and your communities.

We believe in concrete action, not hot air and empty rhetoric.

We take forward YOUR issues, not theirs and always will.

I’m a proud Socialist and Left Unity member. Only the Left Unity team has the collective talent, experience, and values to build, campaign and win for members.

Members need strong leadership in DWP.

Please vote for the Left Unity candidates below.

President-Grant

Vice-Presidents-Cavanagh, McDonough, Pope, Shafiq

Assistant Secretaries-Burke, Corcoran, Cahill, McFarlane, McGachey, Morton, Perry

Organiser-Byers

Treasurer- Edwards

Editor-Kennedy

GEC-Ahmed, Ferraro, Getton, Jackson, Lothian, McCafferty, Mack, Meller, Mulcahy, Pealing, Revell, Sherriff, Simmons-Robertson, Smith, Thomas, Westgarth, Wilson