The former Mayor of the London Borough of Harrow - Elizabeth Nana Asante-Twumasi is running for the Parliamentary seat for Harrow East under the banner of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) in the forthcoming UK General Elections.
Nana noted that " I would be a good MP for Harrow East as I have experience, passion and understanding. I have experience of serving the community of Harrow, Harrow East in particular for over 20 years, 12 of them as a Councillor. I know the community well, having lived in Harrow East for over 20 years. My children attended Stanburn School, Salvatorian College, Park High School and St Dominic’s 6th Form College. A passionate Community Activist, I was a Harrow Councillor from 2002 - 2014 and Mayor of Harrow from 2013 – 2014. I chair Harrow Fairtrade Campaign and it was under my leadership that Harrow achieved Fairtrade Borough status this year. I am a Fellowship Group Leader, Chaplain of First Stanmore Girls Brigade, the Campaign Officer of Independent Labour Group, a Committee Member of Harrow ABF and Trustee of Kilombo UK. I have 4 children and 1 grandchild. My primary focus will be serving the community of Harrow, one of the most religiously diverse boroughs of England and Wales. As a person of Faith, I understand the importance of Faith in the life of a person. I also understand politics and negotiation. I have the skills to speak up in Parliament for the complex needs of Harrow. If elected, I will be bold in advocating for Harrow, with or without the support of the other two MPs."
Nana Asante
Ghanaian-born Nana, who along with seven other Labour Councillors in Harrow formed the ILG (Independent Labour Group) after the Labour party expelled them in 2013 rather than address their concerns, said she was standing on the TUSC ticket because she wanted to promote “true socialist values, which was about prioritising and serving the needs of ordinary people and promoting social justice and an alternative to cuts and austerity.”
TUSC representative Paula Mitchell noted that "It is time for the alternative. TUSC aims to field 100 Parliamentary candidates and 1000 local candidates in May 2015.”
TUSC's policy thrust revolves around: Public ownership not private profits; No cuts in quality public services; Jobs, not hand-outs to the bankers and billionaires; Employment and Trade Union Rights; Protection of the Environment - stop global warming; Decent pensions and benefits; Stop the attacks on disabled people; Democracy, diversity and justice; Solidarity not war; and Socialism.
One of the first public figures to send their “best wishes” was Tower Hamlets’ Mayor - Lutfur Rahman.