I’m a mumsnet lurker but wanted to register to say this.
I live in the area this is happening. I know of Gill (who is running as women officer against lily) because she runs a baby singing group twice a week as a volunteer at the new cross learning centre which which she runs as a volunteer and I believe led the campaign to keep it open. It is a vital resource in the community.
I don’t know her well at all but from what I’ve seen she is an amazing women. Funny, kind, inclusive and strong. Giving up her time to help her community but also fun, approachable and engaging.
I was a new mother at her group. It was one of the things I dared to first go to with my screaming baby. She memorises every child’s name so she can sing them hello. Every single one! There are sometimes 20plus children which change each week. Yet every week she remembers the children’s names. I didn’t go for 5 months and she still knew my daughter when we went back. It’s a diverse baby group made of many of langages and nationalities - she makes everyone feel included and part of it. That is a real skill. She made a big impression on me straight away.
She is just the sort of person I would feel comfortable talking to or wanting to take advice from. Someone who really gets women and the issues they face. But, maybe more importantly for this area someone who is accessible and easy to talk to, for not just me but all different types of women. I don’t know a lot about her campaigning but I get the impression she is absolutely vital to the area and truly dedicated to helping it.
The area around here has a lot of issues. Poverty, drug use and refugees etc. These are deep complex issues with very alienated members of society who need practical help and representation. I struggle to understand how someone young who has lived here less than a month could even start to understand or comprehend the issues of the women here who need help the most. I’ve lived here for 6 years and I would definitely not feel I am equipped to understand the difficulties here. This area needs hands on, down to earth help from someone who gets it. Not political show boating and airy, ideals.
Anyway, this all sounds a bit like a rant. I guess it is. I just can’t understand in what way Lily could be able to better serve this community’s needs more than someone like Gill. It seems so unfair and frankly so uncaring from the powers backing her. It really shows they don’t care about this area at all.
I don’t have a problem with Lily. I just think it’s so unfair that if it was anyone else with little track record and experience they wouldn’t stand a chance against someone with Gills dedication and hard work in the area. I actually don’t know Gill that well either. We are not friends or anything but like I said she always made an impression on me.
I’m all for a fair fight and democracy but I just hope this women’s officer position isn’t decided on by people who don’t care at all about this community. That someone isnt voted in for the wrong reasons because this election has become some kind of trendy, political, woke off. I just hope everyone who votes does so for the right reasons - for who they truly think will serve the diverse women of the area the best - it’s that simple.