I’ve got more than three decades of experience as a civil servant and union representative in PCS and predecessor unions and have over 15 years experience at both GEC and NEC level, including a decade as HMRC Group President. That background has taught me that the strength of our union and our ability to win always comes from our members. 

We are at at our most effective when we’re united, but over the last year our union has been paralysed by division that has sidelined members and denied them the chance to give a divided NEC a way forward.  The current NEC majorities decision to continue collecting the levy when no action was being taken, and long after mandates to take action expired, was not the approach that members expected when voting.  Their rejection of the General Secretary’s recommendation to pause and consult last summer has left the national campaign in limbo as our reps have struggled to explain why we are continuing to take money from members that legally can only be used to fund action under that mandate.  The campaign can only go forward with members behind it, so that failure to to consult has magnified disunity and means the incoming NEC will need to work to rebuild the credibility of the campaign with members.

We need experienced leaders committed to putting our members back at the heart of our union.  I am standing for election as I believe my record shows I have the skills needed to help PCS face the challenges ahead.