I am an experienced activist, having been a branch rep for over 10 years and serving as President of the DCMS (Culture) Group, Chair of the Southwest Region for PCS and the TUC, as Branch Secretary, and as an NEC member and national Vice President.

I am an active, visible advocate for our members – speaking regularly at meetings, talks and rallies on campaigns and the issues that our members care about. I pledge to remain a strong, supportive, and visible representative of our union.

I am asking for your support to be elected as your Vice President. I narrowly missed the last vote for Vice President and the opportunity to continue my work there, but I have continued striving to build unity and strength in the union and in the wider movement.

As the DCMS (Culture) President I have worked hard to build the Group after a difficult time. I have engaged with members, supported members into activism, grown the GEC in terms of participation and diversity, helped build campaigns and events that reflect our priorities, and represented us externally to build our profile and strength. I represent individual members and collectively negotiate in my workplace and in the Group and I have helped members navigate the difficult situation of the huge and ongoing cuts to funding in the sector.

I believe our equalities work is vital, and I always actively support this area, including recently as a lead in our National Disabled Members Forum, helping to create and run our workshops at the National Pan Equality event in October.

Progress on issues that matter to us have been sidetracked this year, with the push to keep the levy going without a clear purpose taking priority over from work on pay and organising. We need a leadership that works collaboratively and is focused on representing the best interest of all of our members.

Looking ahead, it’s crucial that we gain clarity and momentum as we build on the lessons learned and adjust to a new government. We are all affected differently by issues such as the push to office working, but we need a leadership that consults and listens to membership and understands the diversity of our workplaces.

Together, we can ensure that our union is strong, democratic, and truly member led. Serving our members is a duty I take seriously, and I ask for you to support me and other Democracy Alliance candidates this election.