I’m a socialist. I think that the system that we live in is deeply unjust and it needs to change. In the meantime, I think we should do everything that we can to make things fairer within the system that we have.

That’s why I joined the Labour Party. For all its many faults, it was the party of working people in Britain. It made a massive difference to people’s lives, including mine: It founded the NHS, build social housing, provided education for everyone and improved employment rights. I left during the Iraq War – the people’s party should never have supported an illegal war – and rejoined in 2010. I supported Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and think that the Labour Party he led offered us a chance to build a fairer society. Sadly, Jeremy Corbyn was deliberately undermined by the right of the party , who have gone on to destroy the Labour Party.

I stayed in the Labour Party after Keir Starmer took over because I thought we could still do some good locally. I left when I realised that wasn’t possible and became an independent councillor.

As a councillor I have focused on ‘everyday socialism’:

• arguing for resident-focused, redistributive policies
• speaking up for residents when they are having problems with the council or their landlords
• speaking up on behalf of residents’ interests on licensing and planning issues
• trying to find out what is happening at the council so that people know what is going on. I think people have the right to know what is being decided for their city; how it’s decided; and how their money is being spent.

I haven’t joined The Greens because I’m not convinced that – while there are many genuinely socialist members –  they are a genuinely socialist party. The European Green Parties have a history of supporting right-wing neo-liberal policy when they get into power and the Greens in the UK have been anti-union when they have been in charge of councils. I have worked with the Newcastle Green councillors on topics where we have common ground, such as human rights issues.

I have joined Your Party because I think it represents a chance to build a genuinely socialist party. We haven’t had the best of starts but founding a new party is never easy and I’m confident that we’ll get there in the end.