PPC Profile: Kathryn Smith

Full Name: Kathryn Anne Smith

Age: 49 years

From: North West Kent

PPC for: Gravesham constituency (Labour & Co-operative candidate)

Website: www.graveshamlabour.co.uk

Selection Result: All Women Shortlist

CV:
I began my career working in marketing and public relations. In 1983 I became Parliamentary Assistant to a London Euro MP and also became the Acting Political Officer for the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society. I left in 1989 to work in Parliament as a Researcher to Kate Hoey MP and then joined Philip Gould Associates to manage the Labour Party’s Communications Agency.  

In 1994 I was elected as a local Councillor for the London Borough of Bexley and within two years became Leader of the Council. In 1996 I became a member and subsequently Chair of the ‘Skillswork’ Partnership Board, a six-year regeneration programme in the Thames Gateway.

Following the birth of my daughter in 1999, I stood down as Leader and became a Non-Executive Director of my local NHS Care Trust.  At the same time, I became one of the UK’s representatives to the Council of Europe, visiting many countries, addressing many conferences and writing reports on Poland, the Ukraine, Portugal, Denmark, Latvia the Netherlands and more.

I've been involved with the Co-operative Movement for over 25 years and, following the merger of the Royal Arsenal Co-op with CWS, stood for the first elections to the new Area Committee in 1987. In 1997 I was elected as a Director to the Board of the CWS (now The Co-operative Group) and later became a Director of the Co-operative Bank and CIS Insurance (CFS). I've also been a member of the Co-operative Brand Panel and remain Chair of the Co-operative Group’s Co-operative Development Foundation (Co-operative Action).

In June this year, though, I stood down as a Director of the Co-operative Group and CFS to concentrate on winning Gravesham for Labour.

I was inspired to go into politics because:
Growing up in 1970’s was tough for my family, but the Welfare State was still there to protect us, and so I became acutely aware that politics mattered, that Government mattered. The recession of the early '80s under Margaret Thatcher’s government devastated local communities and subsequent years saw the systematic destruction of support for the most vulnerable in our Society. That’s when I decided I wanted to do something about it.

I had always been attracted to the Co-operative Movement and was a co-op member before I became a member of the Labour Party. I’ve always had a genuine belief that co-operation is the best model for society and for running businesses.  The Co-operative Movement has made a great deal of progress over the last few years in promoting itself and its difference. I am immensely proud of the Co-op’s stance on Fairtrade and tackling climate change.   

The work being carried out by the Co-operative Party is playing an important role in promoting co-operation and the co-operative way in a number of new sectors, especially in health and social care. As a Director of the Co-operative Bank, I know that because we based our business on the Co-operative Values & Principles, we did not suffer in the banking crisis that engulfed other Banks in 2008 and especially the de-mutualised building societies. Co-operative Financial Services remains financially strong and the mutual sector is seen as much more trusted model for financial services.

My main policy issues are:
I am interested in tackling poverty and inequality. I know we don’t like to talk about redistribution of wealth – but thanks to Gordon that is just what we have been doing. Millions of pensioners are now benefiting from the Pension Credit. And in early years, the help for poor families and support for children is quite incredible. As a member of my Primary Care Trust, I was at the opening of our first Sure Start project and the difference that that is making to young families – it makes me feel really proud.  

Climate Change is one of the most important issues facing the country. As a mother, I care about the health of our planet for future generations. Green issues will feature strongly in the next election. I have impeccable green credentials, especially through my work with the Co-op, which has been named the most ethical brand in the country, and received the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Enterprise – the only retailer and financial services business in the country to win this accolade.  I am a stalwart recycler, walk my daughter to school and cycle whenever I can. For many years I took the lead in the Co-op on our Social Responsibility agenda, including ethical and environmental policies.  

I’ve also been a lifelong campaigner for Trade Justice. I believe that trade, not aid, is the way for developing countries to build their way out of poverty. I have led campaigns to promote Fairtrade and ethical sourcing.  I joined with millions in the march to ‘Make Poverty History’, joining with Tony Benn to campaign for an end to war and poverty around the world.

Three things I think should be in the next Labour Manifesto:
1 - I believe the lack of affordable housing is one of our biggest national challenges. I would like to see a Manifesto commitment to give local authorities a much bigger role in the provision of affordable housing. I would also like to see support being given to promote co-operative housing solutions. The Co-operative Party has developed a number of initiatives, such as, the mutual land trust which would enable buyers to pay a form of rent based on their income level which is used to purchase equity in their new, equity that could be sole of increased in line with their income.

2 - I have long been associated with Fairtrade through my work with the Co-op, and this year we have seen that a number of other businesses are getting behind the Fairtrade campaign. I would like to see more support from Government to encourage businesses to follow where the Co-op has led the way. All around the world everyone deserves a decent wage for their labour and their community should have decent schools and healthcare – Fairtrade is helping to make all of that happen.

3 - I believe that people achieve more by working together and that the only way to create a just and fair society is through power being spread throughout society. That is why I would welcome a greater focus on the co-operative and mutual models of business, for example consideration of a ‘People’s Rail’ and for active consideration to mutualising some of the financial services businesses presently owned or controlled by the Government.

I think people should vote for me because:
I care passionately about social justice. I believe the Labour Government has delivered amazing results over the last 10 years – record investment in the NHS, the minimum wage, support for pensioners, investment in childcare, civil partnerships and the re-introduction of community policing.

I know Britain is a better place than 12 years ago. However, voters may take these things for granted. Take the current economic climate: the Tories are saying they would not have bailed the banks out, nor invested in saving jobs nor helped people keep their homes. Their response to the current recession is the same as in the 1980s where working families suffered and whole communities were blighted by long term unemployment. In the words of their then Chancellor, this was "a price well worth paying". I believe there is a better way. I believe I have the skills and the commitment to be a good Member of Parliament.

Throughout my career and in my political work I have also maintained the highest standards, which is why, like many people, I have been horrified by the MPs’ expenses scandal. I know that there are many hardworking, dedicated Members of Parliament, whose reputations have been unfairly damaged. But in my constituency of Gravesham, just over 20 miles from London, the Tory MP has continued to claim for a second home, including expenses for food and furniture. Most people in Gravesham commute to their jobs in London. I have pledged to uphold high standards in public office.  I will not maintain a second home. I will live and work in my constituency.