I am standing for leadership of the Labour Party because I have worked really hard to improve the quality of life for my local constituents but have increasingly come to the conclusion that there needs to be a change in national policies if we are to succeed. One way of securing these national policy changes is to stand for leader of the Party and force these issues onto the national agenda.
I have never been personally ambitious and look upon being MP for Hayes and Harlington as a vocation, not a career. However, if by standing for leader of the Party I can have some effect in improving our constituency and the country overall I believe that taking on this challenge will have been worthwhile.
The odds are stacked against me. It is a David and Goliath struggle, but I believe that I have the support of the ordinary Labour party members and trade unions who will cast the final vote in this election.
I hope that sufficient Labour MPs will nominate me and that they will not prevent Labour Party members having a say in the future of the Labour Government and who is to be the next leader.
