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Maddie Henson - Crowdon, Sutton
2024 British Local Government Election - London Assembly Member Candidate - May, 2, 2024
Electorate of Crowdon, Sutton - Labour Party - United Kingdom
Who is Maddie Henson?
Maddie Henson, a devoted Labour councillor, resides in Addiscombe and has spent the majority of her life in Croydon, aside from her university years. She has deep roots in the area, with educational ties from South Norwood Primary to Harris Crystal Palace, and family connections in nearby Sutton.
Political Involvement and Achievements:
Maddie’s engagement with the Labour Party began at 16, shaping her dedication to public service and community activism. Her early political work included organizing fundraisers and working for Anne McGuire MP as a gap year intern, which sparked her passion for politics.
Maddie’s commitment continued as she became a Croydon Central delegate in 2010, actively contributing to housing policy discussions. In 2014, Maddie was elected to the Ashburton ward, navigating its challenges and securing re-election in highly competitive races.
Her tenure in local government featured significant roles, including Civic Mayor during COVID-19, where she focused on early childhood initiatives and community engagement through Reading Roadshows.
Community and Council Contributions:
Maddie has been instrumental in local developments, such as the restoration of Ashburton Hall and the introduction of the Addiscombe Winter Carnival. Her efforts extend to improving local infrastructure, supporting community groups, and enhancing public spaces, including parks and youth centers.
Current Focus and Vision:
Since losing the mayoralty in Croydon, Maddie has dedicated herself to combating child poverty, working with a charity focused on this pressing issue. Her campaign for the GLA reflects her commitment to addressing major community concerns such as child poverty, housing, and public safety.
Election Campaign and Goals:
As the Labour candidate for the GLA representing Croydon and Sutton, Maddie aims to leverage her extensive experience and community connections to advocate for substantial improvements across the boroughs. Her platform focuses on tackling child poverty, enhancing green spaces, revitalizing town centers, and ensuring safer streets.
Personal Insight and Community Connection:
Maddie’s personal experiences as a mother and her professional background in IT and local governance give her a unique perspective on the needs and challenges of her constituents. Her proactive approach to community issues and her ability to empathize with residents’ concerns make her a passionate and effective advocate for Croydon and Sutton.
Maddie Henson offers a blend of experienced leadership, dedicated community service, and a deep personal commitment to improving the lives of her constituents in Croydon and Sutton. Her campaign underscores her readiness to contribute effectively at the GLA and to continue making a positive impact in her community.
What are Maddie Henson's Political Values?
The Labour Party is a prominent political force in the United Kingdom, characterized by its alignment with social democracy and democratic socialism. Situated on the centre-left of the political spectrum, Labour has played a significant role in British politics since its founding in 1900.
Emerging from the trade union movement and socialist parties of the 19th century, it initially served to represent the interests of the working class.
Current Political Standing:
As of the last general election in 2019, Labour holds the position of the Official Opposition in the UK Parliament, having secured the second-largest number of seats. It is the largest party in the Welsh Parliament and the third-largest in the Scottish Parliament.
Internationally, Labour is affiliated with the Party of European Socialists and the Progressive Alliance and holds observer status in the Socialist International.
Economic Recovery and Stability:
The Labour Party, under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, is focused on restoring economic stability to the UK. They advocate for strict fiscal policies to prevent unnecessary expenditures, promoting transparency and efficiency through new oversight bodies like the Covid Corruption Commissioner and an Office for Value for Money.
Their economic plan is designed to contrast with the perceived instability under the Conservative Party, emphasizing responsible financial management and targeted investments for growth.
National Defense and Security:
Labour criticizes the current government for reducing the UK’s defense capabilities and outlines a plan to revitalize the nation's military resources. The party proposes a comprehensive Strategic Defence and Security Review, supporting the armed forces more robustly, and establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner to ensure the security of the nation and uphold the interests of military personnel.
Border Security and Immigration:
The party plans a significant overhaul of the UK's immigration and border security systems, aiming to create a more efficient and secure framework. Labour’s strategy includes enhancing the enforcement of border laws, dismantling human trafficking networks, and improving the asylum system to ensure it is both cost-effective and secure.
Healthcare System Reforms:
Labour intends to undertake substantial reforms within the National Health Service (NHS) to address inefficiencies and the backlog caused by Conservative policies. The plan includes investments in healthcare infrastructure such as more MRI and CT scanners, and increasing the number of healthcare professionals to provide better service and care.
Social Justice and Community Safety:
Tackling crime and enhancing community safety are central to Labour’s agenda, with plans to increase the police presence and introduce new community policing measures. The party emphasizes preventive strategies, especially focusing on youth crime and the root causes of antisocial behavior, to foster safer communities.
Education and Opportunity:
Labour commits to transformative educational reforms to ensure equitable opportunities for all. These reforms include recruiting more teachers, overhauling the curriculum, and investing in school infrastructure to equip students for modern challenges and ensure access to high-quality education and lifelong learning opportunities across the country.
Clean Energy and Environmental Policy:
In response to environmental concerns and the energy crisis, Labour advocates for establishing a new publicly-owned clean energy company and expanding renewable energy resources. This initiative aims to reduce dependency on foreign energy, combat climate change, and stimulate economic growth through the creation of sustainable jobs.
Party Structure and Leadership:
The Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, with deputy leader Angela Rayner, and General Secretary David Evans, positions itself as a centre-left party, embodying social democratic and democratic socialist ideologies. Founded in 1900, Labour has grown from its trade union roots to become a major political force in the UK, advocating for social justice, economic reform, and public service enhancement.
The party maintains active branches across the UK, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and engages with various international socialist and social democratic groups, reflecting its commitment to broad-based, progressive policies.
Ideological Stance:
Labour advocates for a blend of social democracy and democratic socialism, aiming to balance market economics with social welfare policies. It promotes government intervention in the economy, fair distribution of wealth, and comprehensive public services, including healthcare and education.
Regional and International Relations:
The party maintains close ties with the Co-operative Party, with many Labour MPs sitting in Parliament as Labour Co-operative representatives. While it supports the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in Northern Ireland, Labour continues to organize and maintain a presence there, adapting its strategies to address both local and national issues effectively.
Overall, the Labour Party remains a key player in shaping the political, social, and economic landscape of the United Kingdom, committed to advancing the principles of fairness, equality, and social justice.
