As part of our 2024 General Election coverage, we have contacted each candidate standing in Northfield, Bromsgrove, Edgbaston and Selly Oak constituencies asking them to contribute to this election’s ‘500 Words’ series. We have also asked the same of each candidate in the local council by-elections for Northfield and Kings Norton North wards.
Each candidate has been invited to describe themselves and their campaigns in their own words. Their submissions will be published without editing, in the order that they are received. Should they be longer than 500 words, they will be cropped.
Esther Rai • Labour • Northfield (Birmingham City Council by-election)
My name is Esther Rai and I am the Labour candidate for the Northfield ward local by-election.
My pledges are
- Be present within our community. We will get the basics right – we’ll hold regular ward forums and advice surgeries and get our ward plan over the line.
- Fight for every penny we’re entitled to. We’ll make sure all of our ward funds are spent on improving Northfield, and that we get a fair share of new pots of money.
- We’ll work towards a better future for our high street. We’ll work with the BID and Council to make sure we’re ready to win future funding and to stop anti-social parking from deliveries.
- Stand up for you during the Council’s recovery. We’ll be your voice in the room to make sure decisions are made with the people of Northfield, including fighting to save Northfield Library
- Make our streets safe and accessible. We’ll work with authorities to improve walking, wheeling and bus routes, and with the PCC to reduce crime on our streets.
I spent ten years in secondary education, eight of them as a qualified teacher teaching Drama and Maths. I’m organised, have strong communication skills and I’m passionate about children, teenagers and families. I currently work for a large church overseeing their social action department. We have community work at two of our church sites, Gas Street St Luke’s and Gas Street Longbridge, including a foodbank, pantry-style provision, Job Club, Debt Centre, parenting support, community support and a community café. Through this work I know how important an effective council is to those who need support and have already advocated for those who need it.
I want to be the Northfield Councillor for two reasons. I have always wanted first and foremost to help people, and the casework and support that a good Councillor provides is invaluable. I also keenly believe in good governance and representation, and the people of Northfield deserve to be represented by someone passionate about what matters to them.
After 14 years of the Conservatives, money to local government has been slashed. I hope, if elected, to work closely with our new MP, to ensure that Northfield ward is fought for not just in local government, but in central government as well. Laurence Turner, the Labour Parliamentary Candidate, has my full support and I know he will be an excellent MP for the constituency of Northfield. I would also work with our Mayor, Richard Parker, and PCC, Simon Foster, on how we can reduce crime and support businesses on our high street and have already spoken to both about these Northfield issues.
I promise to stand up for Northfield, be present and accountable, and fight hard to get Northfield back on track.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Hustings
A chance to hear directly from your candidates, any hustings we are aware of will be listed below. Please let us know of any not listed.
