On the 25th November 2022, Joe Powell was selected by Kensington Labour to be our parliamentary candidate in the next general election. In the 2019 election, the Tories won Kensington by only 150 votes, making it one of the most marginal seats in the country. We have a real opportunity to win Kensington back for Labour in the next election.
Kensington is one of the most unequal places in London, with huge gender, racial, and income divides. We have some of the wealthiest residents in the UK, but also two of the most deprived wards in London. According to the Office for National Statistics, the income gap (the difference between the highest and lowest average earners) is £30,000 in Kensington and Chelsea.
Only a Labour government can turn this country around, rescuing our NHS from a decade of Conservative mismanagement, tackling the housing crisis, and investing in a green energy revolution. Under the last Labour government, the UK benefited from the introduction of the minimum wage, 11 years of economic growth, and the shortest NHS waiting list in 40 years. Transformational changes like this can be achieved again.
We are delighted that Joe will be representing Kensington as our candidate and we know that he will work hard to bring the fight to the Tories. Joe, who grew up in Queens Park, has lived, worked and volunteered in West London for most of his life. In the UK, he has campaigned to force big oil and gas companies to pay their tax, and internationally, and abroad he has worked with democracy activists in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Nigeria and many other countries. Joe is also the deputy CEO of a global organisation dedicated to strengthening democracy and tackling corruption.
Locally, Joe has committed to fighting for truth, justice and change for the survivors of the Grenfell disaster. As many Kensington residents know, both the government and the Conservative leadership of our borough have failed to fully implement the recommendations from the Grenfell Inquiry. No one has ever been properly held to account for the tragedy, and as Kensington’s MP, Joe will fight hard on behalf of the families impacted by Grenfell as well as all the residents of Kensington.
Joe will also push for the next Labour government to build more high quality social housing to alleviate the housing crisis, he will tackle the epidemic of corruption and dirty money in Kensington, and he will continue to stand up for refugees and asylum seekers who look to the UK for aid and refuge.
We are looking forward to working with Joe and hope that you will join us knocking on doors, speaking to voters, and campaigning for a Labour government.