Marie James has been selected as the Green Party’s candidate for Prince’s Ward in Lambeth. This follows the resignation of Labour councillor Chris Marsh and the announcement that a by-electon will take place on May 7.
Following consultations with the local electorate, Marie James will dedicate herself to bringing accountability back to this long time Labour dominated ward by amplifying the voices of the electorate. Marie will challenge the abysmal treatment of residents seeking maintenance and repairs; economically divisive social housing practices and, argue for the retention of local libraries and community centres that provide meeting and study spaces for people of all ages.
Marie is a media producer living in Herne Hill, Lambeth. She believes adopting holistic, sustainable living and economic principles are a local and global necessity and she is determined to bring the Green Party’s perspective into Prince’s Ward.
Durning Library in Lambeth which is earmarked for closure, photograph courtesy of Secret London.
Marie grew up in inner-city Bristol where the Green Party’s recent campaign against the closure of seven libraries resulted in a positive outcome. She says: “Durning Library in Kennington is earmarked for closure and as an avid reader who would not have been where I am today without access to my local library, I will fight this every step of the way and seek viable funding models to keep these local resources alive. Numerous council estates in Lambeth also have residents living in continual doubt about the council’s plans for their homes. This is tantamount to abuse based on resident testimony of the impact this level of stress has on their mental health and ability to work. Prince’s Ward needs a councillor who will challenge the hegemony and speak up on behalf of all residents.
I believe that the Green Party represents a positive alternative to business-as-usual politics and I’m hugely honoured to be standing in Prince’s Ward where my extended family has lived for over 25 years.
It is a very mixed social-economic ward that could more successfully cater for the entire community by tacking universal issues alongside the more visible – from improving air quality in London’s most polluted borough to reducing anti-social behaviour, establishing communities that benefit all residents sits at the heart of Green Party policy”.
Scott Ainslie, the Green councillor for St Leonard’s Ward in Streatham, adds: “I’m absolutely delighted that Marie is standing in Prince’s Ward. She is a passionate, straight-talking and committed individual with a clear vision. Voters can be confident that if she wins in May, they will be getting a councillor who will truly deliver in their ward.”