Kelvin Blake

For Labour Mayor for Bristol 25th May 2012 Dear Party Member I am Kelvin Blake and I am proud to have recently been shortlisted as a prospective Labour Party candidate for the elected Mayor of Bristol. I grew up in Knowle West. My Mum is from Knowle West and worked as a meals-on-wheels lady. My Dad was from Lockleaze and worked as a cleaner in Rolls Royce. I had a loving family but life was tough. I went to Merrywood Boys School leaving without too many qualifications. Just as my career started it was halted again by being made redundant in the Tory recession of the early 90s. I was out of work for a year. Thats why I joined the Labour Party and went on to become an active trade unionist. I am a member of Prospect as its my workplace union. Because it is not affiliated to the Labour Party I am also a member of Unite. When I worked for Sun Alliance I was a member of BIFU as the SASU, the staff association, was not TUC affiliated. When Sun Alliance and the Royal merged I helped negotiate the transfer of BIFU members into MSF allowing MSF to become the union representing workers in the combined business If we are to stop the governments unprecedented cuts in public spending, which have increased unemployment and cut the living standards of workers in both public and private sectors, we must elect a Labour Mayor. Any other outcome would give a green light to the Tories and Lib Dems to continue with their destructive and unfair policies. As Mayor, I would do everything in my power to resist such divisive policies and to tackle the inequalities that make Bristol a divided city. It isnt right that there is a 9 year life expectancy difference between the well off and less well-off parts of Bristol, In Lawrence Hill ward 60% of children are living in poverty compared with a figure of 4% in Stoke Bishop, and government cuts are having a disproportionate impact on public sector workers, women, disabled people and those less well off. I am determined to do something about this. My focus and energy will be on delivering a fairer, more equitable city, for everyone. As Mayor my priorities will be to Creating Decent Jobs:

Create more decent jobs by attracting new businesses and expanding existing businesses. Use Bristol business rates to invest back into the city Make sure that jobs are available to those who need them most not increase the divisions between rich and poor An Integrated Transport authority for Bristol: Better regulation, price controls and competition to bring down fares, make the buses run on time and make the experience better for passengers Unlocking talent through-out our city: Raise aspirations and make sure our young people have the skills and support to get the new jobs Bring the two universities, the college, schools and businesses much closer together to raise standards Increase apprenticeships and work place training Tackling the housing crisis: Deliver a programme of building affordable homes by-making use of the Councils land ownership to unlock private and public investment and challenge government to match it Bring more empty homes into use and increase control of the private sector rental market Start to tackle the crisis in social care: Drive up quality from the private sector Focus Council resources on properly meeting the needs of the most vulnerable in the city Better deal for Bristol: We must challenge government to meet the demands of the city and defend the disadvantaged against the cuts Thats the kind of leadership I offer, new ideas, new direction with purpose and drive to get it done. With your help we can win this election and deliver a Labour Mayor for Bristol. Thank you, Kelvin Blake

Email: me@kelvinblake.com

Tel No. 07730 056764

Twitter: KelvinBlake