WE announce candidates to contest seats in London, Manchester and Cardiff
Published 28 April 2017
Today WE announce four more candidates who will contest seats in the snap General Election on 8 June.
In London, Nimco Ali will stand in Hornsey and Wood Green and Harini Iyengar will stand in Vauxhall (pictured above). Sharon Lovell will contest the Wales seat of Cardiff South and Penarth, while Sally Carr MBE will stand in the constituency of Manchester Withington.
“These brilliant women represent the diverse, creative voices of the Women’s Equality Party and I am delighted to announce their candidacy,” said Party Leader Sophie Walker. “This election they will speed change, by campaigning for equality, justice and tolerance across the UK as part of the national conversation about the general election.”
Nimco Ali is a British Somali feminist and social activist. She is co-founder and director of Daughters of Eve, a survivor-led organisation which has helped to transform the approach to ending female genital mutilation (FGM).
Harini Iyengar is ranked as a leading barrister in Employment, Equality and Education, gave expert legal evidence to the House of Commons Inquiry into high heels and workplace dress codes, and has been described by the Times as "a leading campaigner for diversity in the legal profession.”
Sally Carr is former Principal Programme Manager for Young People’s Health at Manchester PCT, Deputy Head of Service at Halton Youth Service and Operational Director at The Proud Trust. In 2012 she was awarded an MBE for her services to young people, recognising in particular her work with LGBT+ youth.
Sharon Lovell, the first woman in her family to go to university and gain a degree, is a Director for Nyas, a UK charity providing information, advice, advocacy and legal representation to children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Walker said that each candidate would be fighting to win in their respective constituency, but would also be pressuring their rivals to take on their policies. “The new parties understand that the electorate are tired of combative, tribal politics. Along with the Green Party, who have endorsed my campaign in Shipley, and the Liberal Democrats who are forging strategic alliances in key seats across the UK, WE are part of a new political landscape that will deliver a shot in the arm to our country by working collaboratively and sharing ideas.”
She added: “We know we are outsiders, but in spite of the huge disadvantages of our first-past-the-post system, and the vast expense of campaigning, the Women’s Equality Party is set to make its mark on this election.”
WE will announce further candidates next week.