Women members support Val for Croydon North

By Lee Webster, Labour member and women’s rights activist, Selhurst

Labour women meet Val Shawcross, October 28th

After a meeting on Sunday to hear from local women Labour Party members, Val Shawcross announced that if she is selected and then elected as MP for Croydon North, she will run additional advice surgeries for women to ensure that the views and needs of local women are always at the heart of her work.

Val said, “It’s clear that women are coming under more and more pressure, as cuts to local services are really biting, and there are fewer ways for women to seek support and advice.  It’s important to me that I hear the views of all constituents, women and men, and from across the diversity of communities in Croydon.  By creating a space for women to talk to me about the issues affecting them, I can make sure that no-one’s views get left out”.

Sharing ideas and experiences

This was one of a range of areas of discussion, when a dozen local Labour women met Val over a cup of tea and slice of cake to share their views and experiences.  We had a broad ranging, insightful, political conversation, where ideas flowed, experiences were shared, and plans made to work together for women in Croydon.

Issues affecting Croydon Labour women are the issues that we all care about – from the NHS, to the economy, to services for hard-working parents, to police cuts, to transport, and to rebuilding Croydon after the riots.

What was clear from the women who came to meet Val, is that we need an MP who will fight at a national level to protect local services, who will put Croydon and its regeneration first, and who will play her part in making sure that a Labour government comes back into power at the next general election.

Val’s priorities

Val laid out her priorities, and her vision for tackling the “cocktail of crises facing Croydon”. It is a vision based on fairness and equality, of helping families cope with the rising costs of living, of seeking improvements to local hospital provision, and fighting for help for those most affected by last year’s riots.

Local activist Lucy Milton-Gorvie with Val

Val highlighted her commitment to women’s rights and equality, saying she wants to be a Labour politician who’s part of a network of Labour women activists.  She praised the effective campaigning of Croydon Labour Women’s Forum, and promised to campaign alongside Labour women.

Selhurst activist, Lucy Milton-Gorvie said after the meeting “I was excited when I heard that Val was standing, and after today’s meeting I am definitely going to vote for her.  She has what we are looking for in Croydon North”.