Holly Smith - LGBT+ and Co-Women’s Officer

How did you first get involved in politics?

I studied politics at school and uni, but first got active in my first year, on the doorstep for the 2015 GE. They kept the student bar open late especially for the occasion (very LSE...) and it was, um, let's go with rowdy!

Somehow, that fateful day didn't put me off and I've subsequently spent many more hours on the doorstep, usually accompanied by my dog Max, and I've had a couple of jobs in local politics as well.

What made you join and get involved with the Young Fabians?

I initially got involved about 4 years ago, primarily for social reasons to be honest. I wanted to meet some new people and hopefully do some interesting things! This really is the main reason I have stayed involved, and the transition to online events during the pandemic was an excellent relief from lockdown boredom.

What are your aims for the year ahead in your position?

I am looking forward to working with Nicki, my fellow Co-Women's Officer, to make sure we have a truly intersectional approach to events and issues on gender. We have already started discussing plans for International Women's Day, events on workplace inclusion, and I would like to put on more socials for women members.

Plus, I want to work with the LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Group, which I was thrilled to co-chair in its inaugural year with the fab Jonny Winbow, to put on great events and socials, and work across the other networks to ensure LGBTQIA+ people are represented as much as possible.

I was really proud that at the YF AGM we passed a motion to introduce a Code of Conduct on Transphobia and Trans and Non-Binary Inclusion, which I think is so important and hoepfully indicates that YF will continue to be a safe and inclusive space for all young LGBTQIA+ people on the left, when the party isn't always.

If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?

Reform the electoral system to introduce PR, increase devolution to cities & regions, reduce the voting age and ensure all prisoners have the right to vote. Plus replace the House of Lords with an elected upper chamber, or at the very least get rid of the remaining hereditary peers.

If you had to be stranded on a desert island with a Labour MP, who would it be and why?

Can I go rogue & international and say Jacinda Ardern? Anyone who gives birth while PM has got to be resilient and adaptable, right?!

Frankly, though, on a desert island I would swap most people for an endless supply of Factor 50.

Would you rather fight one horse sized duck or ten duck sized horses, and why?

As a vegan, can I conscientiously object?

To get in touch with Holly, email her at [email protected] or find her on Twitter at @hollyyooh.

 

Morenike Adeleke - Co-Women’s Officer

How did you first get involved in politics?

I joined the Labour Party in 2016 and began attending my local Labour Party meetings; I then was invited to a London Young Labour event where I met lots of young people who were as interested in politics as I am. I was then elected to the London Young Labour executive committee, as well as the committee of my local Labour Party. 

What made you join and get involved with the Young Fabians?

I first heard of the Young Fabians from some other Young Labour members, who were also Fabian members and couldn’t believe I wasn’t already a Fabian member! They told me more about them and I was interested in their focus on policy making and the different policy networks. As a healthcare professional, the Health Network naturally appealed to me, so I signed up, began attending events and got onto the network committee, before running for the Young Fabians Executive Committee.

What are your aims for the year ahead in your position?

Work with the rest of the executive committee to increase the number of women members and to support the women members we have to get more active and involved; whether that’s increasing the number of women contributing to the blog. We have so many brilliant members across the UK and I want them all to have the chance to get as involved as they want to be. Intersectional feminism has always been important to me; every woman’s lived experience is different and each one deserves to have their voice heard.

If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?

I would increase and protect spending on public health; there is often a focus on penalising unhealthy eating, rather than incentivising healthy eating. Healthy eating and exercise can be very expensive and if we are going to tackle health inequalities in the UK, we need to make it easier for people to live healthy lifestyles.

If you had to be stranded on a desert island with a Labour MP, who would it be and why?

Stella Creasy, because I think she’d be a good laugh and would keep me from losing the will to live until we are rescued. 

Would you rather fight one horse sized duck or ten duck sized horses, and why?

One horse sized duck, because I could run away from it; I don’t imagine ducks are very fast on their feet, even when they’re the size of a horse! I also hate the idea of having to stomp on ten duck sized horses.

To contact Nicki, email her at [email protected] or find her on Twitter at @MorenikeAdeleke.