Hundreds of community leaders secure pledges from local election candidates
Hundreds of community leaders secure pledges from local election candidates
Ahead of local elections on 7th May and up and down the country, hundreds of community leaders secured commitments from candidates across parties on campaign issues, from work, housing and community safety to the real Living Wage.
Birmingham Citizens
On 16th April, 575 people gathered at the University of Birmingham for an accountability assembly. Leaders from churches, mosques, schools, universities and community groups across Birmingham gathered to put their priorities to election candidates across parties.
Birmingham is the youngest city in Western Europe, yet half of the children in the city grow up in poverty and 11,000 live in temporary accommodation.
All candidates present committed to working with Birmingham Citizens if elected. Commitments included securing a Living Wage Zone in the Sports Quarter, repairs and upgrades to housing in the communities who need them most, an employment literacy pilot, and a 100-day meeting with the next administration to track delivery.
Tyne & Wear Citizens
Tyne & Wear Citizens held two assemblies in Sunderland and Newcastle, where 350 people came together to hear from candidates across parties on the alliance’s campaign asks.
Candidates showed their support for key campaign areas, including Community Safety, SEND Provision, Dentistry and the real Living Wage and committed to working with Tyne & Wear Citizens if elected. Community leaders secured a further commitment to meet with the councils within 100 days of the election, and quarterly thereafter, to ensure progress and accountability on these campaign issues.
Hear from Tyne & Wear Citizens community organisers Michael Thompson and Sara Bryson on BBC Radio Newcastle, as they reflect on the alliance’s achievements, including winning a one-pound bus fare for all 16 to 21-year-olds in the region following a five-year campaign bringing together everyday people to make change.
Reading Citizens
On Tuesday 28th April, 115 members of the Reading Citizens Alliance, part of Thames Valley Citizens, a Citizens UK chapter, hosted an Accountability Assembly at the Wesley Methodist church in Reading, inviting representatives from all main parties. They secured cross-party commitments on their asks on housing, homelessness and open spaces.
London Citizens
Local election candidates of varied political backgrounds, across 17 London boroughs, have agreed to work with Citizens UK community leaders to boost the number of accredited Living Wage employers. Community leaders also secured commitments on other campaign areas, from the Five Basics in temporary accommodation to ESOL provision.
Ealing Citizens
On 28 April, Ealing Citizens brought together over 270 residents from across the borough at St Anselm's Church, Southall, in a powerful Accountability Assembly, securing commitments from local election candidates to deliver on the community’s top priorities, including housing, employment and fair pay.
Newham Citizens
On 16th April, 120 people gathered at St Bonaventure's Catholic Secondary School in Newham. They secured commitments from cross-party candidates on youth safety, temporary accommodation and the real Living Wage and Living Hours.
Hackney Citizens
Hackney Citizens received cross-party commitments on all of their asks, from ESOL provision, the Five Basics in temporary accommodation, to the Living Wage and Living Hours.
It was really refreshing to see councillors from the main parties agree to our asks and that in a spirit of public service partnership we all came together to the service of Ealing residents. I’m looking forward to working with whoever forms the administration to make our asks a reality.
GARY BUCKLEY, CEO OF ACTION WEST LONDON, a member of Ealing Citizens
What is an accountability assembly?
Accountability assemblies give Citizens UK members a platform and an opportunity to win commitments from decision-makers, building relationships with them on specific asks from our agenda, and holding decision-makers 'accountable' on the promises they make.