Young Fabian Executive Committee Election 2011/2012 All full members of the Fabian Society who are under 31 on the date of the Annual General Meeting, th 12 November 2011, can vote in this ballot. Associate members (those who are members of political parties opposed to the Labour Party) have no vote. You may vote for up to 12 candidates. The rules state that at least four of the 12 members elected shall be women, provided four women are duly nominated. Biographies of the candidates are given below. The poll closes at 5.00 pm on Friday 21 October 2011. Please post the completed ballot paper to: Chief Scrutineer, Fabian Society, 11 Dartmouth Street, London SW1H 9BN.
YOUNG FABIAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CANDIDATES ADAIR, Elliott. For generations, the Fabians have been at the heart of debate. Debate now needs to be translated to Universities, to combat apathy. The task of Universities officer will be to engage with students turning their protest into electoral support. That means talking to students, relating student’s issues with politicians, organising events and debates on campuses. Finally it means working with others in partnership. That is the mission I foresee ahead. ADJEI, Kwaku. Since 2006 I have worked for a charity providing community care to vulnerable adults. The charity prevents admissions to hospital and long term institutional care among the physically and mentally disabled. As an executive member of the Young Fabians, I shall use my experience and networks in social care and the voluntary sector to help young progressives find expression in public policy issues such as the NHS and care. BAMFORD, Daniel. I’m a Young Fabian because testing ideas with committed and passionate progressives is energising: it’s exciting to see how the world could and should be. I’m currently Networks Officer and have thoroughly enjoyed a busy and
thought-provoking year; my personal highlights being our health and climate change work. Outside YFs, I work for a charity that supports grassroots entrepreneurs in Ghana and South Africa which I co-founded three years ago. CUMBO, Ellie. Ellie is an experienced policy campaigner, with specialisms in criminal justice and addressing violence against women. She is a co-founder of UK Feminista, a commissioning editor for Liberal Conspiracy and has written for the forthcoming Young Fabian Women pamphlet and book What Next for Labour? If elected, she hopes to generate more rigorous debate on questions such as why the UK consistently fails to reduce its levels of violent crime. DUGGAN, Brian. Having served as Policy Officer and International Officer I would like to re-stand and if elected run for Chair. I have led on and delivered our Policy Commissions this year, allowing hundreds of Young Fabians to influence the Labour Party. If elected I would like to build on this and ensure that Young Fabians are the leading, innovative policy space for young people, setting the agenda and pushing Labour forward.
FLYNN, LYNN, Peter. The Young Fabians still have work to do to ensure membership is reflective of the whole UK. It is essential that more Young Fabian events are held outside London; as a Scottish member it is frustrating that most events require a substantial commute. If elected I will work to ensure we increase and enhance membership by engaging with members across the UK. GILL, James. I’m standing for the position of Secretary on the Young Fabian Executive. I pledge to create a strong link between the Fabians and the Movement for Change for development of policy, membership and solidarity. I’ve gained secretary experience throughout Sixth Form and for organisations such as the Social Market Foundation and Operation Black Vote. I am an effective team player, having liaised with various political societies. GWILLIAM, GWILLIAM, Matthew. Major interests for next year will be continuing my work with Young Fabian Science and Technology Network, producing a pamphlet on engaging youth and produce concrete ideas on improving participation in politics from outside of Westminster. I have been an active member of Young Fabians since moving to London 2 years ago. Before starting my PhD at the Institute of Cancer Research I worked as a medical physicist for the NHS. HENDERSON, Graeme. Graeme has co-Chaired the Young Fabian Economic Policy Commission this year. Through this role he has aimed to facilitate as much participation from members as possible. If elected, he would stand for Policy Officer with the aims of ensuring that the “thinking” of the policy work is followed up by “doing” and increasing the linkage between the policy commissions and the work of the Labour Party more generally. IBRAHIM, Sara. Current Vice Chair, has coordinated the Young Fabian policy commissions this year. This has involved members throughout the UK debating
policy in key areas such as the economy, housing and international affairs. If elected, she would stand as Chair and work to position the Young Fabians as a strong voice for young people on the left, at a time when many are facing uncertain futures. JAMES, Tamsin. In 2010, every party offered political reforms as the answer to MP’s shortcomings. I propose the Young Fabians examines what reforms are actually needed to the political system but also assesses what else could benefit politics beyond changes to the mechanics, such as the qualities we want in our elected representatives. I manage public affairs for Breast Cancer Care and sit on the Council and Management Board of Unlock Democracy. KLEBBA, Katharina. I am an active YF member and have co-organised this year’s pub quiz. If elected, I would stand as International Officer and build on the great work the YF have done in this area. As a member of staff, I have a record of organising seminars and I hope to use this experience to reignite the YF embassy series and organise a trip to the US for the 2012 elections. LEIGH, Claire. Claire Exec member since 2007, during which I’ve re-focused YFs on policy, driven reforms to make us more open and members-led and turned around our finances. These changes have helped make us the most dynamic, fastest-growing part of the Society. I also co-lead Young Fabian Women and recently produced YFW’s first pamphlet. If re-elected I will stand for Chair on a platform of further diversifying, growing and deepening the involvement of our membership. MAXWELL, Nick. Served as Fundraising Officer in 2010/11. I’m proud to have secured sponsorship deals totalling £7500 - helping us do more for members. I also coordinated a new schools volunteering programme, ran the only youth consultation for the ‘women on boards’
Lord Davies review, and helped manage various events. I‘d like to stand as VICE CHAIR, focusing on supporting new members and empowering interested members to lead projects. MOSS, Debbie. As Chair of the Policy Debbie Commission on Labour and the World, I have provided a forum for members to debate and develop progressive policies, which will contribute to Labour's policy review. I have written in the Young Fabian Women pamphlet on foreign affairs, Anticipations and the YF blog. I hope to continue this work by supporting members to generate new thinking and have a strong voice in current policy debates." MULLAN, Joel. Education policy researcher, originally from North East England, Fabian since 2008, involved in Next Generation PDG, Middle East delegation. I will champion Member Involvement, pushing the executive to: Allocate each region an executive member, to involve, facilitate and support members, alongside their other duties; invite members to submit ideas for a new "Members' Policy Project", with the proposal receiving the most votes online being implemented. PTASHKO, Peter. I’m a passionate young activist, thinker and social democrat – in the Young Fabian tradition. I've been elected as Youth Officer of my CLP, Campaigns Officer of LGBT Labour London but the Fabians are my natural home. My work experience is in fundraising, partnerships and universities. I was made Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts in January and if elected would build stronger links with communities and charities. RACE, Steve. Currently Equalities Officer, my 3rd Executive year. Organised popular events with a range of MPs and outside commentators including David Aaronovitch and Owen Jones. Packed Equalities Month planned for October, including events outside London. 2012 marks the half-way
point of this parliament. If re-elected will stand for Chair, to: increase membership; increase member opportunities across the UK; improve membership “offer”; and deliver solid policy proposals for the next Labour manifesto. RAMPULLA, Vincenzo. Executive member since 2009. I’ve worked with members to deliver opportunities for engagement, popular events and wide-ranging policy debates. I’ve also developed partnerships with organisations like the Institute for Government and Joseph Rowntree Foundation to increase influence. If reelected I’ll stand for Chair to build on our success, to make 2012 a year of impact and create new member-opportunities to engage, organise, speak out and influence issues nationally and locally. REID, Joani. As Chair of the YF Policy Commission on the Next Generation, I have delivered a series of meetings and facilitated debates on progressive policy solutions to the challenges facing young people. If elected, I hope to continue to foster debate from across the Young Fabians and help bring on board more diverse members to contribute to these policy discussions. ROBERTS, James. Currently a Membership Ambassador for the Young Fabians and Chair of the Merseyside Fabian Society, I am a PhD student in Liverpool who has organised several successful Fabian events outside the capital over the past year and contributed to the YF blog. If elected as Regions Officer, I would want to establish an infrastructure of regional YF organisers, with direct support from the exec, based on EU constituencies. SHARMA, Maneesh. Co-Chairs the Young Fabian Economic Policy Commission this year and is an Executive of the Labour Finance & Industry Group. He has secured a partnership between LFIG and the YF for the benefit of all members, including introducing a discounted LFIG-membership fee for Young Fabians. If elected, he
would stand for Policy Officer with the aims of furthering opportunities for, and facilitating increased participation from, Young Fabians. STORRY, STORRY, Jack. I’m currently a student at Hull University but am originally from the West Midlands. I’m standing for the executive as I want to help continue the work of making the Young Fabians a truly national organisation. Some progress has been made on this but much more can be done to ensure the organisation offers something for every member regardless of where they live. I hope I have your support. TOALE, Jessica. Despite not being a member of the committee, I have been an active member of the Future of Finance Network Steering Group and Labour Finance and Industry Group. I also led the Young Fabians roundtable consultation for the Lord Davies Review and organised a panel debate on climate finance. I would like to help develop Young Fabians’ thinking around environmental and international development policy drawing from my professional experience. TURNER, Isaac. At the age of sixteen, I have already been a member of Labour for a year, currently filling the position of ward delegate in Cambridge. Coupled with my passion for politics as an academic topic, drive for further research into integration and desire to positively engage Britain's youth with contemporary democratic issues, I believe I possess the skills, dedication and determination to be a true asset to the Fabian Society. WEBB, Tobin. Young Fabians are a powerful force in combating the disenfranchisement of young people from the political process that this current government has entrenched. As a former
student union president, NUS NEC member and Labour Party organiser; I am experienced in successfully motivating young people into political engagement. If elected I would hit the ground running, working hard to organise and promote inclusive and engaging events and activities, especially outside London. WOOD, Hetty. As an active member in London and the North-West, over the past few months I’ve been responsible for the upkeep, overhaul and redesign of the Young Fabian website following my recent co-option to the exec. I wish to continue in this role for the next year in order to make sure that the changes to best improve the YF’s online presence, and support, are able to be put into place. WOODALL, Louie. I believe political involvement necessitates political education. As a student who appreciates how bewildering the world of politics can be, I know there is scope to develop the group’s education agenda. I envision creating a collaborative online educational resource to broaden members’ understanding of policy developments, and have the energy and skills to work as a Member Involvement Officer who can engage and unite Young Fabians across the country. ZARBZARB-COUSIN, Matt. As a blogger for Political Scrapbook, my skills are in social media, blogging and communications. I also have an interest in policy. My priority if elected would be to utilise social media to create an accessible platform for young people, with the intention of turning the Young Fabians into a more campaigning organisation.