We're Right Here reposted this
Will has taken We're Right Here from just an idea in the heads of some community power enthusiasts, to where we are today. A campaign with a persuasive and urgent message, whose central ask now forms part of Labour's agenda. Steered by community changemakers from all around the UK, hand-in-hand with big national organisations, and many other champions besides. Thank you for everything, Will - and we look forward to continuing what you helped catalyse! 🤸♂️
Next week I start a new job (more on that in a later post) which means saying goodbye to a whole way of working that has been really good to me over the last few years. Some highlights: 1. Together with Vidhya Alakeson OBE I set up We're Right Here as a collaboration of eight national organisations and eight community leaders determined to open up political space for empowering communities. It’s not just our wins that I’m proud of, it’s the structure of the thing itself. Andy, Annoushka, Claude, Charlotte, Deana, Neelam, Inayat and Sacha are running the show – popping the party conference bubble, setting the strategy, changing the chemistry in meetings with ministers, MPs and journos and generally just making things happening. That's why it will go from strength to strength. There are too many people involved in the campaign to list here, but special thanks to Adam Lent, Alex Smith, Tony Armstrong, John Hume, Veda Harrison FRSA and Helen Goulden OBE for providing organisational clout from the beginning, and to Richard Bell, Katy Oglethorpe, Josh Westerling, Nick Plumb and Ed Wallis for consistent effort and good humour. 2. I’ve loved working with BB Partners over the last few years. We shaped legislation on online safety, stopped a media attack campaign against GPs, and so much more. I have no doubt that Hannah Barlow is building an organisation to last. Huge thanks to Isla Beardmore-Gray Ludovica Orlando Julia Harris Rishi Patel and the whole team for your professionalism, energy and friendship. 3. In 2020-21 I worked on the National Food Strategy with Henry Dimbleby, Tamsin Cooper, Dustin Benton, Tom MacMillan and a fantastic team. That was quite a ride! I’m still not quite ready to talk about it… But I learnt a lot and we had a big impact. The only people we didn’t persuade were Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, but they’re not around any more and I feel sure the work is about to have (another) day in the sun. 4. I’m very proud to be associated with Marc Stears and his team at UCL Policy Lab . Today the PM spoke of “a country that doesn’t just work for you and your family but one that recognises you, sees you, respects you as part of our story”. That story of mutual respect is what’s most needed, not just in this country but elsewhere. I’m not finished with this one… 5. I’m running out of space! But thanks also to More in Common, Labour Together, the Together Coalition, Sheila McKechnie Foundation, New Citizen Project, The Climate Coalition, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Spirit of 2012, Locality, Power to Change, Kivu International and so many more for putting your faith in me over the years. Onwards!