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All materials published and promoted by L Smith, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU
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Having been expelled from the Labour party because I stood against them in a local election to fight for council housing (working Against Tenancy Transfer WATT) in Southwark, I was keen to exercise my democratic right to express my opinion about local issues.
As our local New Labour councillors then proceeded to vote in favour of demolishing the council estate where we had successfully campaigned against stock transfer, I needed to find other people who shared my concerns about a local library campaign, stop cuts in vital psychiatric services and work to keep public services such as local education authority schools and Southwark Council building services.
It was on a Saturday stall that I first met the lively activists who inspired and invigorated me to get involved in saving public services.
My membership of the No2ID campaign enabled us to invite the national coordinator to speak to the Southwark branch of Respect.
There was a great response to petitions on this in Borough Market, the Southwark campaign is lively.
Another important voice for democratic change is the Make Votes Count campaign which is working towards replacing the "First past the post" electoral system to proportional representation which could make the electoral system meaningful to people who are currently disenfranchised as none of the major parties represent their views.
I have worked in the public sector all my life.
Most of my nursing career was spent in neurology where I developed a special interest in epilepsy.
After nursing I completed a 4 year honours degree in Librarianship.
I mention this to demonstrate that many people like me (of a certain age) benefited from grants for many years of higher education, and yet the MPs who also received grants; approve legislation to impose fees on students.
With a poor school record, it was however possible to pass the IQ test for nursing training.
Having had a variegated career is a great asset as it enables me to relate to people from many different walks of life.
My work experience includes:
working as an invoice clerk, private nursing, bookselling, working on farms in Norway as well as brief periods of nursing in Norway and Germany.
My librarianship career has been in healthcare libraries and currently providing an information service for dementia care workers.
It was a great honour to be selected to stand in local elections for Respect in 2006 and now for the GLA list, because the values of: Respect, Equality, Socialism, Peace, Environment, Community and Trade Unionism absolutely correspond with my personal goals.
Having experienced the anti-Irish stigma which persisted until the latest arrivals of "foreigners" came to Britain, has taught me the importance of the values of Respect and Equality.
Growing up in the vapours of hatred in Belfast which led to bloody battles makes me aware of the need for peace.
I am proud that our MP was one of the few really honourable MPs who opposed the illegal occupation and invasion of Iraq.
I greatly value working alongside trade unions for justice at work (UCU), and defending council housing supported by Amicus and Unison as well as the fight to keep the NHS public supported by Unison and Unite.
Margot Lindsay, RGN, BA, MClip, MPhil, PhD.
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