Personal Statement:

As co-founder of an international organisation dedicated to make poverty and inequality things of the past, I am keen to bring this drive and pursuit of prosperity for all, to the Liberal Democrat movement.
In my work with governments and businesses around the world, fairness and equality are my guiding principles and have been since I worked on my father’s Fairtrade stall at church as a child.
I joined the Liberal Democrats because I’m energised and inspired by the long liberal tradition of progressive policies: - advancing voting reform, introduction of elementary education, welfare provision, land reform and, critically, the removal of barriers (religious, economic and political) to allow people freedom to flourish. Fast forward to today, as we face the twin crises of climate change and inequality, we need a bold and progressive political and economic agenda, but one that carries communities with it, not pitting them against it.
 

What skills/experience will you bring to the role?

I am an economist by training. I first worked in agricultural trade economics as a government economist in the Caribbean and then as an economics consultant in Oxford, before becoming managing, and then international director for the consulting arm of the New Economics Foundation (NEF) for over a decade.
As such, I have been in and around government policy making, predominantly in the economic realm but also environmental and social, for over two decades. In my current role (at the Wellbeing Economy Alliance), I also have access to a vast array of case studies of progressive government policies from across the world to draw upon.
Apart from holding undergraduate and post-graduate qualifications in economics, I also studied organisational development. I have used the skills gained there, and practiced since, to create innovative learning spaces for groups to co-produce solutions.
 

What do you hope to achieve if elected?

If elected, I would hope that my experience and skills would help provide the Liberal Democrats with a clear, compelling, transformational narrative around how the economy can be shaped to improve the quality of life for all whilst respecting the planet.
This, I believe, would be essential to help the party to flourish, given the current economic system can no longer provide answers to people’s pressing needs and concerns.
Given my professional career, the economy would be where I could support the most. At its core, an economy is how we provide and care for each other. That, touches all aspects of society, and I would bring a systems lens to helping craft a set of policies that are mutually reinforcing and coherent.