Election of Executive Committee Members 2024
Nominations for positions on the 2024 Lambeth Liberal Democrats Executive Committee closed at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday 19th November. Returning Officer Peter Truesdale formally closed nominations and introduced the list of candidates for Executive Committee roles.
Our local party constitution states that all members of the Lambeth Liberal Democrats will receive their ballots to elect their Executive Committee members within 7 days of the AGM. If you do not receive your ballot please contact Peter on peter@truesdale.com.
Voting will close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 10th December. Shortly after this, the result will be announced.
Please find below the nominations for each role on the 2024 Executive Committee, including 100 words from each candidate. You can also find role descriptions for the Officer positions, as well as our Lambeth Liberal Democrats Constitution below.
Chair
Sarah Lewis
It's been a pleasure to serve as your Chair for the past two years. What a spirited team we have here in Lambeth; and what progress! Last year we got Lib Dems back into Lambeth Town Hall. This year we supported our Party in standing up to the incorrigible Conservative Government and made our presence felt locally. Next year? I will steward our local party through yet more elections, securing the resources, supporters, and visibility to consolidate our local position as the alternative to Labour; and to help make our Party the best it can be for our country.
Re-Open Nominations (RON)
Treasurer
Jackie Harper-Wray
I have been serving on the Executive as Treasurer for the past year. Given the importance of the year ahead for the local party, I should like to continue as Treasurer so that there is no break in financial management. Though I am relatively new to the Liberal Democrats, I have a background in accountancy and financial management of small organisations.
Re-Open Nominations (RON)
Vice Chair
Ben Austin
I am running for one of the vice chair roles for the 2024 Executive, having done a similar role in 2023. I have done a lot of different jobs since I got involved in 2017 from being Agent in 2018, 2021 and 2022 to being Membership Officer so I feel I have a good understanding about what needs to be done to help us work towards our elections in 2024 and 2026. Please vote for me!
Re-Open Nominations (RON)
Secretary
Robert Huber
I have been a member of the Lambeth Liberal Democrats since 2019, and the Secretary of the local party since 2022. I stand to be elected for a third term as Secretary. In a third term I aim to continue to administer the affairs of the executive committee. This includes the AGM - our most important annual membership engagement event - the attendance to which we have been doubling year on year since 2022.
Re-Open Nominations (RON)
Diversity Champion
Vasisht Pingle
I put myself forward as I firmly believe that all organisations including ours should be diverse reflecting the different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints. Me being a gay man I understand the need to educate and train people in diversity and inclusion.
I currently work for the GayGooners (Arsenal football supporters’ group for LGBTQ+) and as part of it we do regular training for the security and stewards in the stadium about diversity and inclusion.
I would like this opportunity to be the diversity officer for Lambeth Lib Dem’s to promote and support the values and objectives of the Lib Dem’s in Lambeth by making diversity and inclusion a priority.
Re-Open Nominations (RON)
Elections Officer
Doug Buist
I can contribute towards the success of the Lambeth Liberal Democrats in the role of Elections Officer in 2024 by using my experiences to keep focus on our long term electoral goals. I can begin the work of building a strong councillor candidate group for 2026, ensuring we use the 2024 GLA/Mayoral election as a platform for campaign training and data gathering. I will support our PPCs, Chair, Exec colleagues and activists to optimise our 2024 General Election activity so that we are consolidating our position as the L/liberal alternative to Lambeth’s failing Labour administration.
Re-Open Nominations (RON)
Membership Development Officer
James Mann
I live in Herne Hill and work as the campaign organiser in Wimbledon so have experience of recruiting and engaging members. My priorities will be to:
- Engage with members across the borough to grow our team of volunteers to help with the up coming elections in Lambeth and beyond.
- Run a mixture of events including social, political and campaigning events to ensure we are engaging members with a variety of interests.
- Work to increase our local party membership and with the diversity officer to increase diversity in our membership and those involved in the leadership of the local party.
Re-Open Nominations (RON)
Ordinary Members (10 positions)
Fareed Alderechi
These past two years, I have had the privilege of being a member of our local executive. Over that time, I have helped build bridges with other local parties, particularly in Carshalton; and I have run as a candidate in two local elections, all with an eye to delivering greater exposure and capacity for our party. As we look ahead, I would be honoured to continue to help on the exec as an ordinary member; especially building links with more urban parties nationally that match our profile, to build a greater alternative voice in national party policy and messaging.
Nick Davidson
I want to join the Executive to deepen and broaden my contribution to the Party. I have lived in Streatham for 25 years, rejoining the Party shortly before the 2019 general election. Since then, I have helped out on the doorstep, notably in Streatham Hill/Balham last year, Guildford this May and in Vauxhall, Mid-Beds and Carshalton & Wallington. As a member of the Executive, I would draw on the experience of a career in the Civil Service, consultancy and finance as we seek to rebuild our electoral base and improve the lives of people in the Borough.
Alex Davies
Alex Davies has been a member of the Lambeth party for 23 years. From 2017-19, he was Chief of Staff to Sir Vince Cable, helping him to lead the fight against Brexit in Parliament He has previously been chair of the local party, chair of two constituency general election campaigns in the Borough (both of which achieved big swings against Labour), a councillor in Streatham Wells and briefly leader of the Lib Dem group of councillors at the town hall. As a member of the local party executive, he hopes to continue to support the new group of Lambeth Lib Dem councillors with their publicity and political strategy, as well as helping with campaign literature.
Jacqueline Harris-Baker
I have lived in Lambeth for 20 years. I first became involved in supporting and campaigning for the party in the run up to the May 2022 elections, as part of the team helping Cllrs Harris and Bryant win their seats. During that campaign, I learnt a lot about what matters to local communities and how my combined life and professional experiences as a black woman and a public sector lawyer could play a successful role in shaping policy and local party activity. I am an internationalist, passionate about improving our public services, and creating a fairer society for all.
Adrian Hyyrlylainen-Trett
As we’re coming into a London GLA Election and General Election year, I feel I should be much more active locally and support our local candidates, especially Chris French whose both a candidate in the GLA constituency and General elections along with our Mayoral candidate and local Lambeth Member Rob Blackie and therefore being back involved in the local party after an enforced absence would I hope be an added pair of hands. I’m also an Elected Member of the Federal International Relations Committee for the Lib Dem’s and with the international issues unfolding I feel I should be engaging with local party members and hearing their thoughts which I’ve yet to do since being elected in January 2023. I also have an immense wealth of experience, knowledge and skills as previously done most roles in a local party and therefore I’m sure any advice, support and help I can give will support the local party will be useful with a busy year ahead.
Eloka Ikegbunam
For this term, I have mainly been supporting the elections officer with the PPC selections such as helping to write some of the selection adverts. My current aim for the next term is to continue to support them while also taking on more tasks such as helping with communications and helping other executive officers where needed such as helping implement our diversity strategy as we look to the future to grow our local party. I have already made some input in that regard and would love to be part of the next executive as we begin to implement those plans.
Donal Kane
I've thoroughly enjoyed my role on the executive over the past 12 months, and I trust that my input on the technical aspects of certain party systems, as well as in a general capacity, has been beneficial for the local organisation. I would be delighted to carry on in this capacity for the next 12 months, offering ongoing assistance to both the incoming executive and officers during this 2024 election year.
Claire Mathys
I would like to restand for the exec in 2024 and serve our local party in what will be an important election year. I have previously worked for the national party and continue to be committed to our values, and look forward to helping with campaigns in Lambeth and local target seats, as well as socials and members events to encourage more local members to get involved.
Charlie Murphy
In Vauxhall, we heard how residents who rely on the council for services like housing are left in dangerous conditions, and how the borough is taken for granted by Labour. The need for change is evident, and with it the need for more hard-working elected Liberal Democrats.
Drawing on my background, including consultancy in PR, working for our MEPs in Brussels and Strasbourg and as a former Young Liberals Vice Chair, I bring valuable experience to support our work in Lambeth. As we anticipate a shift in power in Westminster, holding Labour to account at every level has never been more vital. Our borough depends on us to provide credible opposition to Lambeth Labour, and I am running to support the continuation of that work.
Kevin Ribeiro
Ben Russell
I'm Ben and I live in Vauxhall. Thanks to the by-election last month, I've recently had the pleasure of getting involved with the Lambeth LDs for the first time. I've really enjoyed getting to know the local party and would love to help out more. As well as being a local resident, I also work as a doctor in South London, so I've seen first hand how our local services just aren't up to scratch. I'm keen to work with the local party to help change that!
Abbi Salmi
I have been tasked with updating the Lambeth Liberal Democrats' website and Facebook page with news and press releases. I believe I have carried out this task efficiently and quickly. I am running for the committee to hopefully continue doing this and take part in accomplishing any extra tasks as required. I have lived in Lambeth since 2019 and I took part in campaigning for several elections cycles.
Alistair Ward-Boughton-Leigh
My name is Alistair and I am running for the position of ordinary member of the Lambeth Liberal Democrats Committee. I have been a member of the Liberal Democrats for several years and made Lambeth my home in 2019. I am passionate about politics and joined the Liberal Democrats in 2016 following the result of the Brexit referendum. I found myself wishing I had been more proactive before the vote, but it led me to seek out like minded and a liberal community. I now want to give back to this comunity, work to develop new policies and build a fair society for all.
Monica Whyte
I have been fortunate to have been elected a Lib Dem Councillor for two terms (Haringey, 2006 – 2014) and to have been a key member of the campaign committee that saw Lynne Featherstone elected MP for Hornsey & Wood Green in 2005 and 2010. I believe this experience has equipped me with skills and knowledge that will be helpful to our campaign in Lambeth. More than ever, we need more Lib Dems in elected office at local and national levels. I would be delighted to be part of the Lambeth exec that will be working to make this happen.
Re-Open Nominations (RON)