Candidate:

Karen Michael (Norwich LU)
Nominated by Norwich LU

Statement:

Karen Michael (Norwich LU)
Nominated by Norwich LU

I am asking for your vote as Eastern Region representative to Left Unity.

I have lived in the East for the last 17 years and have been politically active ever since.

Originally from America, I grew up a closet socialist. It has been a pleasure to live in a place where a “politics that dare not speak its name” could be openly celebrated! I helped organise a Gay Liberation Front group in 1972 in the American Midwest.

I was a member of the Labour Party except during periods of warfare. I helped unionise my office (the RBS mortgage group) for UNITE during my employment there. I am a UNISON representative at Norfolk County Council. I was an Affiliated Political Fund officer for the branch for several years. I have participated and have canvassed in several political campaigns. I was long-listed as a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Norwich North; I was not short listed because (and I am not kidding) the Labour Party decided it did not want a Lesbian to stand for Parliament in Norwich North. I quit the Labour Party to join Left Unity (some time after that issue).

My family is from the East End of London and I grew up seeing the marks of malnutrition and want etched across my mother’s face. In the heartland of the capitalist project (the USA) I experienced a period of over 6 months where I was homeless. I am a social services professional and have worked with people at all levels. I have fostered and helped raise several children to adulthood. These experiences have been instrumental in forming my view of how the world operates.

I have a Master’s degree in Management and have studied economics at a post graduate level.

I am currently standing as a candidate for Left Unity in the Norwich City Council election. I am committed to empowerment, feminism, socialism, and am determined to assist in providing a conduit for like minded people.

I am proud to associate with the Republican project in Left Unity. Boo hiss, monarchy, the founders of this extraordinarily unequal feast we call the United Kingdom! I also declare LGBTQ affiliation and am part of the women’s caucus.