Back our campaign to be NEC Local Government representatives

Meet the candidates

Claire Holland

I have been a councillor since 2014 and leader of LB Lambeth since 2021. As a lifelong labour activist and trade unionist, I stood for my local council to fight for free access to sports facilities for local young people.

Since then, I have worked with residents, colleagues and community groups to deliver on this and, in addition to enshrining turn up and play for free in our local manifesto 2022, we successfully brought our leisure services back in-house a year later. We have delivered on our commitment to offer concessions to low-income residents and young people and asylum seekers, fulfilling on our commitment as a leading borough of sanctuary.

I have campaigned and worked with local government colleagues from councils of all sizes, across the country to bring sustainability to the heart of our labour policies and actions to show we are the only party that will address the climate crisis through social justice.

As councillors, we have been the last line of defence for our communities through some dark and challenging years. But now we are all leaders in re-building powerful, resilient communities in all parts of the UK.

Following 14 years of tory chaos and managed decline of our economy and public services, our new Labour government has a huge job of work to get the whole country back on its feet, restore national trust and confidence and have local people believing in their futures again.

During the local and general election campaigns of 2024, and the locals of 2023, as I travelled round the country campaigning in towns, cities and villages it was heartening to witness the hope returning and to be part of so many resounding victories.

And as we rebuild, councillors must be at the table, bringing our experience of managing through austerity, Covid and the cost of living crisis to the centre of the debate. We are on the front line of our communities, delivering for and alongside them.

As your NEC representative, I would be a strong and passionate voice for Labour in local government. I will keep you informed and keep listening to you. I know that the best way to represent you is to draw from your knowledge and experience. That’s what I intend to do, and that’s how I will make our collective voice heard.

Please support me, and Peter Wheeler to be your local government representatives on the NEC.

Peter Wheeler

After 14 wasted Tory years, the General Election saw Labour winning across the country. Winning in areas that have never been Labour before as well as regaining the trust of former strongholds.

Our Government now has a real chance to work with local councils to tackle the key issues facing us — housing, the environment, poverty reduction and re-building the economy. It won’t be easy, there will be difficult times ahead but to be successful Labour local Government and Labour central Government need to stand shoulder to shoulder.

As a local Councillor, Trade Unionist and Labour Party member of 50 years standing, I believe I have the experience, passion and commitment to our Labour values to help secure the best possible partnership between our councillors and our Government – delivering real results for the people we represent.

I’d like to pay tribute to the work Tudor and Nesil have done for Labour local government and also ask you to support the election of Claire Holland, leader of Lambeth, to the NEC.

Our Pledges

Listening and accountable to you - Labour councillors.

We will provide NEC updates after every meeting and we will be accessible to Labour councillors whether it be by email, on Zoom or in person at Labour party events.

Fighting for councillors to be heard

Councillors must have a voice in shaping the programme of the Labour Government and the wider party. You have vast experience in campaigning and policy making and we have to make sure you are listened to at every level – from local branches to the NEC – that experience must be taken on board.

Fighting for the resources you need for local election campaigns

With Labour now in government we have to get this right. Councillors must be supported to start preparing for local elections as soon as the previous set are done, and we must be fully involved in any decision making that affects our ability to campaign.

Transparency on the ALC levy

The ALC levy is one of the biggest funders of the Labour Party, so we will insist on transparency around how it is spent so we can be proud of the contribution we make to the national effort.

Working as a team that delivers for working people

Labour in power is a tremendous opportunity to bring about real change – and local government has to be a part of that change. We will work with the wider Labour movement, Labour Party colleagues, the ALC and LGA Labour to ensure everyone within the Labour Party understands the role of local government, its importance and the constraints imposed by the last government. This will include encouraging the very best people to stand for council elections.