At the TUSC meeting, in Brent on 23rd July 2013, Isable Counihan-Sanchez announced that she will be standing as a councillor for next year local election, in the Borough of Brent.

Isabel had prepared her speech which she tried to read on her phone… this is what she said:

“I’m not a politician so this is how I’m feeling. Firstly I would like to thank the organisers for inviting me to speak at this public meeting.

The divide between the rich and the poor is getting bigger and bigger.

We have to start with the council, we need councillors who will start to fight for us and who will try to change things! We can’t be afraid to rock the boat! We need change and we can’t wait for it, we need to act. I can’t give you facts and figures I’m talking from my experiences & with some councillors in Brent they will agree to help you for you to go away, then they don’t end up helping you at all. We can’t have councillors that are going to stay quiet & watch the poor suffer.

As for my family’s situation, we are now back in Brent, but this is of no thanks to Brent Council.

I for one am willing to stand as councillor & even if it just gives hope to those fighting back these savage cuts it will be worth it.

What does London have to offer culture, history one of the most diverse cities in the world but we also have a rich ConDem government who are attacking the most vulnerable. The sick having to attend ATOS assessments on a regular basis; the stress alone is leaving them suicidal.

The bedroom tax is a joke I would like to invite David Cameron to spend a day in a council home, surely his bathroom would be bigger than any of our bedrooms. We need people in a position of power that are really working for us and for the greater good. I for one and scared for my children’s future & have to take a stand. That’s all. Thank you.”

Note that the Counihan-Sanchez Housing Campaign is organising a day event to celebrate one year of existence on Saturday 31 August at Kilburn sq from 3pm.