Patrick Vernon

Making a difference in Brent

“Labour in Brent Central needs a parliamentary candidate who is a proven strong, energetic campaigner with a passion and commitment to social justice, and tackling inequalities in education, health, housing, and the environment. A person with the skills to unite and build bridges in a diverse constituency.”

Brent Central now has a real opportunity to draw a line under the last ten years with the departure of Sarah Teather. We need to campaign and work hard to gain the trust of local people to restore back an 11 per cent swing from the Lib Dems to make this a safe seat again.

A vision for Brent Central

Brent Central has the opportunity for a fresh start by selecting a new candidate that reflects and represents the cultural diversity and character of a great borough for a future that we can all aspire and work towards. We need to campaign and work hard to gain the trust of local people.

The main issues facing Brent are tackling youth unemployment, more real affordable homes, better public services, especially in health and education.

It is important that we have a Labour Government in 2015 so we can provide clear policy and investment in creating job and training opportunities, stop the privatisation of public services, build more social housing and introduce rent control.

In addition I will personally launch a Brent Community Development Fund. This will attract inward investment and funding to support small business start-ups, social enterprises and the voluntary and community sector to help the most vulnerable in Brent particularly older people, people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and early year’s provision for young families.

My experience

I am experienced in organising and leading campaigns, nationally as well as at local level, establishing profile with the media, and motivating members to get involved to make a real difference to Labour reclaiming of Brent Central.

My track record in Brent over the past 13 years includes the following successes:

• Director at Brent PCT responsible the Brent Health Action Zone a £13 million NHS health and regeneration programme
• Chief Executive of North West London Community Foundation which was responsible for funding over 500k to community groups in Brent, Ealing, Harrow
• Chair and Neighbourhood Adviser for Brent Fair Share trust a £1 million community regeneration project for Church End and Roundwood
• Working with local residents and ward councillors in establishing The Unity Neighbourhood Forum in adjacent parts of Harlesden, Dudden Hill, and Stonebridge.
• Co-Chair and Host of the Brent Council Early Years and Childcare Achievements Awards
• Volunteer Mentor for Fryent Primary School and Willesden High School (Capital Academy)
• The Vernon Hall at The Chalkhill Health and Community Centre was named in recognition of my work supporting the local community.

Political activism and campaigning

• Labour Party member for more than 20 years
• Elected as Councillor for Queensbridge Ward in May 2006 and former of Chair of Health Scrutiny in the London Borough of Hackney
• Play Champion for London Borough of Hackney ( led the development of 24 play areas on estates, parks and adventure playgrounds)
• Ed Miliband Task Force on Mental Health &Society
• BAME Labour National Executive Committee
• Parliamentary Panel for UNISON and Cooperative Party
• Council Member of Socialist Health Association and Labour Electoral Reform

National Player and local campaigner

• Committee Member for Healthwatch England
• Member National Advisory Board for Time To Change
• Independent Committee on Metropolitan Police inquiry on mental health and policing
• Ministerial Advisory Group for Mental Health
• Board member of North London Muslim Housing Association
• Patron of Santé a social enterprise in Camden which supports and befriends refugees and asylum seekers across London
• Clore Fellow, film maker and leading expert on family genealogy (founder of 100 Great Black Britons Campaign and social enterprise Every Generation)
• Currently work for National Housing Federation as Health Partnership Coordinator

My career over the last twenty years has provided a real insight in working with many, often marginalised communities in the health and social care sector and as a local Councillor (Department of Health, Local Government Association, Wandsworth CAB, Mind, Volunteer Reading Help, and Afiya Trust). This experience has given me a good grounding and understanding of issues in delivering public services in challenging environment which is relevant to Brent Central.

My hard work and commitment resulted in being awarded an OBE in 2012 for my work in Brent and nationally in tackling health inequalities with BAME communities

If you have any questions or issues you want to raise with me before deciding who to support, please give me a call on 07976 731 539, email patrickvernon@btconnect.com or twitter @ppvernon.

Patrick Vernon OBE