Dear Member,

Next year will be the London Assembly elections and as a member of the Labour party, you have the right to choose the Labour candidate for Croydon and Sutton. I am asking for your vote to be the Labour candidate for your constituency. I passionately believe that with a lot of hard work, we can win this seat in the London Assembly elections next year.

The party of workI came to Britain from Bangladesh when I was six months old. I grew up with my four younger brothers in our council house. My father worked during the day for an airline and built his restaurant business at night while my mother worked night shifts for a catering company. My parents’ strength instilled a strong work ethic in me and a fundamental belief in fairness and equality. They taught me to be proud to be a British Muslim. These values stayed with me as I studied at my local comprehensive and worked to pay my way through university. These are the values I instil in my two young daughters.

Fighting for equality, togetherI joined Labour, because I believe that by working together, we can change our society to make it more equal and give everyone opportunity. Growing up in a British-Asian family during the 70s and 80s, I faced a lot of discrimination. I am proud of the journey that this country has taken since then, where my daughters are treated as equals amongst their peers. I am proud to say that this change was led by the Labour party.

Representing issues and uniting communitiesAs a women’s officer with Islington Council, I was involved in domestic violence cases and the prevention of female genital mutilation. In the NHS, as a health promotion officer I worked with low-income groups. In the voluntary sector, I was the director of a London-wide race equality organisation. I have also worked in Dhaka, Bangladesh for a street children’s literacy project, funded by Save the Children. In all of these roles I have had to work with different communities and across boundaries. This is how a GLA member must work, scrutinising issues, representing people and bringing communities together.

Dedicated to our communityI want to represent the seat of Croydon and Sutton, because it is such an important part of my life. I lived here for many years and now live just on the border. My eldest daughter was born at Mayday hospital, the same hospital where my husband trained as a doctor. I now work in Sure Start children’s centres in Croydon. I want to give back to the place that has given me so much over the years.

I am asking for your vote because together we can win this seat. I know the area, I know the issues. With five years of a Tory government ahead of us, there is no time to lose.

With best wishes

Promoted by Peter M

ay on behalf of Marina A

hmad, both at 1 Frederick Close, Sutton, SM

1 2HY.

Printed by Jupiter Associates Ltd, 21 T

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Housing

For London to reach its full potential, we need a decent house-building programme. Too many workers are being priced out of London and the dream of owning a place of their own is increasingly out of reach for our youth. Labour Croydon Council is committed to a 50% affordable housing figure in new build developments and I will back any London council that does the same.

We need more protection for tenants. I fully support Croydon Council’s register of landlords, along with decent minimum standards set for rental properties and FULL enforcement of these. I support tenants having long term rental contracts.

My priorities for Croydon and Sutton

Crime and Policing

Labour invested in policing and safer communities. The Tories have cut back on funding. Violent and domestic crime is on the increase and police stations are closing throughout the constituency. I want to reverse the impact that cuts have had on safety in our communities. I want better community policing initiatives, with the bobby on the beat as an integral part of building local confidence. I support the compulsory wearing of police body cameras during stop and search.

Transport

South London is missing out on the economic growth of the capital because of a lack of investment in our transport infrastructure. We need to expand our choices to help provide greater frequency of service and better connections. I will campaign for an extension of the Tramlink network from Wimbledon to Sutton Town Centre

as well as a further extension to the Life Science Site at Belmont. This cancer research centre will be the second largest in the world, and it needs the infrastructure to support it.

Labour first introduced the idea of Croydon Zone 4, and I will continue campaigning for this.

Regeneration

Croydon and Sutton town centres are undergoing dramatic changes. I support the development of Westfield in Croydon, which will help bring people from outside the area, but the process must be managed to ensure local people benefit from new jobs, training and housing. The development of the old gas works in Sutton will also help bring jobs and much needed footfall on the high street.

I want a proper review and plan for what is happening with outer London high streets. Our own, smaller high streets, from Cheam to New Addington, Thornton Heath to Purley, are vital for the local economy and providing essential services. I want to help build the infrastructure to support independent small businesses and the local jobs they create.

Equality

As your London Assembly Member, I would continue to fight for human rights and equality for all as I have done throughout my life. Forced marriage and honour based violence must remain on the agenda as human rights violations. I will coordinate with voluntary organisations, communities and government organisations to enable women to come forward and support programmes to prevent these crimes. Disabled people and carers have been disproportionately affected by benefit cuts and the backlog of Personal Independent Payment assessments is causing real hardship. I want to work with councils to ensure that disabled people and carers have the support they need.

You’ve read my five priorities for Croydon and Sutton. For you, what is the most important priority that I should focus on? (Number in order of priority)

Crime and Policing Housing Transport

Regeneration Equality

Why?

Are there other issues that I should be addressing?

Will you be voting for me to be the Labour candidatefor Croydon and Sutton? Yes No

Would you like to help with my campaign?

Your Details

Name

Phone

Email

Address

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Twitter

Please return this form and send to Marina Ahmad, 1 Frederick Close, Sutton, SM1 2HY

www.marinaahmad.org.uk @LabourMarina

Facebook.com/LabourMarina1 Frederick Close, Sutton, SM1 2HYmarina@marinaahmad.org.uk

I want to hear from you

Promoted by Peter May on behalf of Marina Ahmad, both at 1 Frederick Close, Sutton, SM1 2HY. Printed by Jupiter Associates Ltd, 21 The Waldrons, Croydon, Surrey CR0 4HB

07535 152 783

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Maggie Mansell, Councillor for Norbury Ward, Croydon North.

I worked with Marina during the general election campaign in Croydon Central. Marina showed her strategic abilities and acumen by bringing her team to work with Sarah Jones. On the day, she ensured that her CLP worked tirelessly in Shirley, getting out the vote.

Tony Newman, Leader of Croydon Council.

Labour’s path to victory begins next year with a Labour London Mayor and a Labour London Assembly. With five more years of Tory government we can’t afford to lose. That is why I’m supporting Marina, as she is the candidate who will win Croydon and Sutton for our party.

Carlton Young OBE, Croydon South member.

Labour needs exceptional candidates now more than ever if we are to regain the confidence of the electorate. Marina possesses sound Labour values and has the personal qualities necessary to be an excellent Assembly Member.

Alvin Shum, Sutton & Cheam member.

I’ve always been impressed with Marina’s campaign experience and personable nature when meeting voters on the doorstep. I know she’ll be a fantastic GLA member who will fight for everyone’s behalf in Croydon and Sutton.

Joseph Jones, Croydon Central member.

Marina will be a truly fantastic advocate for Croydon and Sutton. At a time when the weakest in society are in desperate need of a voice, she has the policies and determination to help. That’s why I’m supporting her.

Ballot Papers to vote for the Labour Candidate for the London Assembly seat of Croydon & Sutton will be sent out 14th August 2015. I hope you will vote for me.