Today WE announce Rebecca Manson Jones as our first local council candidate

16 September 2016

Today the Women’s Equality Party declared its intention to make history in Lewisham, announcing Rebecca Manson Jones as its candidate for the Brockley by-election. Lewisham resident and community arts champion Rebecca Manson Jones will be the first WE candidate to contest a local council seat.

“We are delighted to announce Rebecca as our candidate for Brockley,” said Sophie Walker, leader of the Women’s Equality Party. “We’re looking forward to speaking to women - and men - across the district about our policies on equal parenting, equal pay and flexible working, because we know that equality makes life better for everyone.   

“Rebecca has rich experience of community activism in Lewisham, and will bring her understanding, wit and warmth to consideration of everything from local libraries to conservation of green spaces. She is a champion of the arts, and I know she will throw herself with her customary passion into working to enhance community life across the borough.”

Manson Jones, a local theatre director, has led work promoting access and diversity in the arts for many years. “Lewisham is changing and it’s time we put gender equality at the heart of our council,” she said. “The Women’s Equality Party is leading this change - our values, our policies and our funds are crowd-sourced from our members and supporters, and our aim is to make London the first city in the world where women and men are equal.”

“I plan to bring a fresh perspective to the council, using the WEP approach of non-partisan, collaborative working. But I am also determined to make change: London has the highest rates of sexual violence in the UK and I will work tirelessly to make sure Brockley’s streets are made safer for women.”