Hope Mendy-Labour candidate for St Albans ward.

The Havering Daily is running a list of the different candidates across Havering in preparation for the local elections on May 5.

Today we meet Hope Mendy, Labour candidate for St Albans ward.

I grew up in St Alban’s ward, Romford, and have now settled here with my fiancé. Having worked in the town centre, my time working in Romford Library really showed me just how frustrating certain council systems could be. I’d spend most of my shifts helping elderly people with I.T issues that could’ve been solved with a simple phone call, only there wasn’t a number to call as everything had moved online. Digitisation has excluded a large group of people from accessing basic information and stripped them of their independence. This has also been the case with digital permits, which whilst convenient for me, isn’t for older relatives who struggle with the system.

Walking through Romford to get home at night was and continues to feel unsafe. After no response from my Conservative Councillor Judith Holt on CCTV upkeep and management I submitted a Freedom of Information Request only to find out despite budgeting 5 million pounds for CCTV improvements in Spring 2021, only two have been added. This isn’t good enough. 

If elected, I would prioritise accessibility and safety as these are the foundations of a functioning council which the Tories have clearly neglected.