executive elections 2025 - candidate statements

There are 21 candidates for 14 positions on the Executive. LCER also has a constitutional quota of at least 40% women on the Exec and one person aged 27 or younger.

The order of candidates is randomized on the ballot papers, in order to avoid the "Aardvark" effect. Candidates are ordered by last name on this list of statements.

Deadline for submission of completed ballots: 11.59pm on 21 February 2025.

William Bain (Glasgow Maryhill & Springburn CLP)

BAINb

LCER needs to build support for electoral reform at Westminster among Labour members and activists in Scotland. I was a Scottish Labour Member of Parliament (Glasgow North East, 2009-2015) and frontbencher, Unite and Fabian Society member, and reaching 30 years of Labour Party membership in 2025. I was Chair of LCER from 2011-2015 and have been a member of the executive committee since 2021. I have good links with our elected members, including our new Scottish Labour MPs, and Scottish CLPs. The new executive committee needs to develop strong messaging, policy ideas and campaigning across the Labour Movement to ensure that the next general election is the last one held under a First Past the Post system which is not fit for purpose in modern Britain. Engaging strongly with our members in Scotland is a key element in our journey to electoral reform at Westminster, and I hope to be re-elected to the executive committee to redouble our efforts in that task.

Nominated by Richard McCready, Stephen Curran

lewis Colwill (reading central clp)

IMG_0047 - Lewis Colwill

Electoral reform is a foundational issue for me. I was inspired to join Labour after attending L4ND fringe events at 2021 conference. I have supported LCER at national conference for each of the past 3 years. I passed the PR motion at Bermondsey and Old Southwark CLP and served for a year as North Bermondsey Branch Secretary. I have since moved to Reading Central CLP, where I am Analytical Data Officer and working to pass the motion here as well. During this time, I have built both local and national connections with our partners in ERS, MVM and Compass and I hope to use these and my skills as a data scientist to help develop the most effective strategy as we enter this critical phase of the campaign. I believe we are an exemplar for Labour of the strength of the broad church. I will work to expand the membership so that LCER reflects the full diversity of the Labour4PR movement and, by my own experience, will strive to be a voice for neurodiverse members.

Nominated by John Doolan, Caroline Osborne

Kelvin Cracknell (Ipswich CLP)

IMG_myphu4 - Kelvin Cracknell

Our current electoral system no longer serves the diverse and dynamic needs of our society. I am committed to working collaboratively with all Labour party members to drive meaningful change and empower all citizens, so that we can build a more inclusive and just electoral system that truly reflects the will of the people. As a Labour Councillor I have the experience of how to work with others to help create a new consensus. As someone with a degree in IT I have skills which I am keen to use to further the work of LCER.  As a disabled person I will bring an important perspective to LCER’s inclusion work.  I have time to dedicate to the role, and the determination to make it effective.

Nominated by Sandy Martin, Krish Daryanani

maximilian Czekalski (warrington south clp)

IMG_1942 - Maximilian Czekalski

Democracy is personal to me, so I am passionate about advancing it. My father and grandfather were both part of the democratic opposition that toppled the communist regime in Poland. They fought for freedom in their own ways, my dad a teenage activist whilst my grandfather was a local government official, working with those in the Trade Union movement to bring change internally.
I am the activist and the insider. Since I was 15, I was campaigning against climate change, I represented NGOs on TV, organised countless protests and spoke with politicians in the UK and abroad.
I am also an insider; I’ve worked for the Labour Party on the Win 24’ campaign in the North West and following the election victory I am now working for an MP. This allowed me to speak with thousands of people across the UK, most of whom are tired of politics.
It is time for a change and if elected I will use my experience and passion for democracy to fight for a fairer society through a fairer electoral system.

Nominated by Billy Hayes, David Lawrence

Krish Daryanani (liverpool riverside clp)

image0-2 - Krish Daryanani

The answer as to why there is a need for electoral reform is simple. Under FPTP, many people feel like their vote doesn’t count, that just isn’t right. After delivering the first Labour government in 14 years, we have an opportunity to rather than criticise them, work collaboratively to bring about meaningful change in elections. What I love most about us is our commitment to the values of fairness and equality, implementing a PR system would not only do just that but it would illustrate a real ability to put country and people before party.
This is why I aspire to be on the Executive Committee of LCER – I am passionate for this because British people deserve better. As a 19 year old politics student at Liverpool University, I will represent all young people if given the privilege of being elected. If there was one thing I’d say about myself it’s that I work so hard on things I care about, this would be no different. Please do find me on X or Linkedin if you’d like to have a chat!

Nominated by Sandy Martin, Kelvin Cracknell

john doolan (hertsmere clp)

DOOLANb

I have been an active member of the LCER Executive for nearly ten years and have been Secretary for LCER for the last year. During that time, I have worked with all the Exec members and regional teams to provide whatever has been needed and also worked hand in glove with the Labour for a New Democracy Campaign. I coordinated and organised the Labour Conference stall again this year and have been guest speaker at many CLPs. This is an interesting time for the Labour PR campaign. Over the next year we need to encourage our members to lobby their MPs now that we have a Labour government and keep spreading our message.
If re-elected to the Executive I will work as hard as possible to make the next phase of our campaign successful. I am also proud that our campaign has been truly non-factional and will continue to ensure that remains the case in order to maximise our success.

Nominated by Billy Hayes, Ann Harrison

rick gaehl (south devon clp)

GAEHLb

Following a career in education, I joined Labour in 2015, and have been an active member ever since. I’ve been a CLP officer, stood in local elections, attended conferences, run stalls, and given presentations. I’m proud to have spent the last two years on the EC - eventful years, in which we’ve helped to bring the prospect of electoral reform closer than it’s been in a generation. However, there remains much to do, and the task of holding feet to the fire has become both more pressing and more difficult since July. We have many democratic deficits to overcome in the UK, and I believe we should be addressing any and all barriers to a more democratic future as opportunity arises, as well as keeping our eye on the ultimate prize of PR at Westminster.
I’m good at turning up to meetings – can’t think when I last missed one - but I believe there’s no point in being there if you have nothing to contribute. Without lively and informed debate, democracy is but a thing of ‘shreds and patches’.

Nominated by Alex le May, Lynne Armstrong

annabelle harle (cardiff west clp)

20250118_212824 - Annabelle Harle

Growing up in south-eastern England in the 1950s I knew early on what voting was, as I accompanied my parents to the poll, the school being closed to children and used as the polling station. As soon as I learned how the system worked, I became a PR supporter. I have been an active advocate of PR in the Labour Party for many years and for some time headed the Electoral Reform Society office in Wales.
It is hard to maintain motivation when campaigning in Tory areas, hard to persuade people to vote when they don't think their vote will count. Cynicism is rife and a malfunctioning system doesn't counter it. People who are already elected often lose interest in changing the system - for the most part it's up to the rank and file of the party to work for change. I'm keen to help with that.

Nominated by Nick Wall, Ken Ritchie

ann harrison (hertsmere clp)

I spent my working life as a development engineer, chief engineer and production manager working in manufacturing.
Since retirement I have become more involved politically predominantly at local and regional level having served a total of 15 years as a Hertsmere Borough Councillor mostly in opposition. I also spent a short time as a member of the Eastern Regional Board and also as a member of the interim cross-party Board set up in anticipation of the introduction of Regional Government.
I am currently a governor of two local schools and a trustee of Communities 1st.
I feel that with my wide experience of both business, public life and politics I will be well placed to support and further the aims and objects of the LCER at this crucial period in obtaining PR at all levels of government in the UK.

Nominated by John Doolan, Chris Myers

billy hayes (mitcham & morden clp)

HAYESb

Democracy, Equality, Socialism are indivisible.
All must be present to operate in a justice society.
Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform has achieved much in the last few years.
Proportional Representation for Westminster Elections is now the majority view inside the Labour Party, trade unions, socialist societies, and wider society.
The leadership has yet to see the need for change. LCER can change that position.
As a lay activist, a full time Trade Union Official, I have helped make the change and want to continue serving the membership of LCER as an Executive Member.

Nominated by Caroline Osborne, Martin Linton

nic hesper (Coilchester clp)

20220708_173438 (2) - Nic Hesper

Having lived in a Tory safe seat for most of my life, I see the real impact that FPTP has. I joined the LCER executive two years ago and have since been chairing the working group for equality and diversity, aiming to bring a greater level of representation to our organisation.

I firmly believe that FPTP is an outdated relic and is inherently dividing us into an 'us' and 'them' and the only way to be more unified on a range of issues is to modernise the electoral system. I am passionate about making the world we live in fairer, and I believe that the best way to achieve this goal is to reform the current electoral systems.

Nominated by Caroline Osborne, Maria Iacovou

sam hewson (scunthorpe clp)

IMG_2659 - Sam Hewson

I joined LCER after my first year in Labour following a difficult time in my life. Initially driven by a desire to remove the Tories, I fully committed to Labour, campaigning in the 2023 North Lincolnshire local elections, 2024 general election, PCC election, North East Lincolnshire local elections, and Selby and Ainsty by-election.
As Scunthorpe CLP Youth Officer, I organised two fundraising gigs, raising £900 and engaging with 150 attendees from the public. My dedication to campaigning has made me the most vocal advocate for PR in my CLP. I have since become Policy Officer and intern with my MP in their constituency office.
I joined LCER seeing how FPTP disenfranchises voters and fuels populism. As a social science undergraduate, I plan to write a dissertation on combating these through participatory democracy and electoral reform.
The Executive needs experienced campaigners and policy-driven advocates to be effective. I would be honoured to serve if elected.

Nominated by Ken Ritchie, Annabelle Harle

maria iacovou (harwich & north essex clp)

maria

Since being elected to the Executive in 2019 I have been involved in all aspects of LCER's work, having served as Secretary and currently as Membership Secretary. I have spoken on voting reform at many branches and CLPs, and as a panellist and chair at large meetings and rallies. I've produced publicity materials, trained activists to speak on PR, and collaborated with other organisations working for democratic reform. We've now got a Labour government and huge levels of support among for PR across the Labour party, the trade unions and the wider public. We must keep the pressure up in order to ensure that this widespread desire for change becomes law. Labour is committed to a raft of democratic reforms, but in order for any of them to be truly effective, we need PR for the House of Commons. We're winning the argument - let's finish the job.

Nominated by Tobie Glenny, Lewis Colwill

sue lloyd (bristol nw clp)

We have a democratic deficit, which needs to be addressed by:- reform of the second chamber, reforming our
English voting system for local, regional and parliamentary elections, increasing the acceptable range of voter ID
documents, enshrining voting for 16/17 year olds, establishing the constitutional recommendations of the recent
Commission, lobbying and working with our regional MPs and speaking to local constituency members to garner
support for essential change. I do this within my CLP, where I led an E.R. work group for 3 years to disseminate
information and argue the case for leaving the first past the post voting system. I attend LCER and L4ND meetings
when I can, and intend to continue my work for change. The franchise needs to become accessible, meaningful and
fully minority- inclusive.

Nominated by Mary Southcott, Aileen McLoughlin

sandy martin (ipswich clp)

SandyMartin

Since I was elected Chair in 2020, Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform has worked closely with our partners in Labour for a New Democracy to achieve a solid commitment to Proportional Representation from the vast majority of Labour Party members and affiliated Trade Unions. We are now cooperating on a national campaign whose first fruits are the new All Party Parliamentary Group on fair votes.

LCER is also making efforts to deepen its engagement with our members, to build our membership numbers, and to attract more young and diverse people. I hope you will also continue to support our excellent Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary.

Nominated by Ann Black, Nic Hesper

aileen mcloughlin (bristol east clp)

2019-Aileen-3zoom - Aileen McLoughlin

Electoral Reform is a prerequisite for sustainable change. Without Labour it will not happen. In 2024 FPTP delivered a huge majority on a third of the vote. Our majority is fragile. FPTP could favour others in 2029. Labour must be the party that fixes our democracy and restores faith in politics. We cannot leave a vacuum for others to fill.
The APPG on Fair Election with over 100 MPs and the pro-PR vote in the 10-min rule Bill are positive signs. 59 Labour MPs demonstrated support for change.
LCER must work intelligently inside Labour. In addition to goals for PR and radical reform of the House of Lords, we need a review of Voter ID, reversal of Tory changes to Mayoral elections, auto-registration, votes for 16-17 year olds to bring us in line with devolved nations, and the Devolution Bill must consider changes to the way we vote locally.
I have held roles in Labour and UNISON. I was part of the team that led to policy change in UNISON. I can bring passion, determination and action.

Nominated by Martin Linton, Helen Nash

nancy platts (brighton Kemptown clp)

nancy

I've been a long-time supporter of PR and advocated for fairer votes when I was a PPC in Brighton Pavilion and Brighton Kemptown. I am now coordinator of the Politics for the Many (P4M) Campaign - the trade union campaign for electoral reform.
I share the goal of building mass support for PR in the labour movement and I'd like to join LCER's Exec to forge a closer working relationship between P4M, trade unions and LCER.
I attend the National Campaign meetings and include LCER and other democracy organisations on the Steering Group of P4M in order to create a collaborative and unified voice. I believe I can help by developing stronger links with the trade union movement and creating greater synergy across our campaigns. I will do this by keeping everyone informed and getting everyone involved.

Nominated by Nic Hesper Lewis Colwill

ken ritchie (perth and kinross clp)

KenRitchie

I’m proud to have been part of the campaign that has made PR a Labour Party policy, but I’m standing because that success will mean little if we can’t now make it a Labour Government policy. The case for PR has never been stronger. The July election showed the shallowness and vulnerability of our democracy: without a system that converts the centre-left majority of votes into a Commons majority, a far-right coalition might, like us, win with only 34% of the votes.

I’m LCER’s Treasurer and have been a member for over 30 years. I was Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society for 13 years and I am still a frequent speaker and writer on electoral issues and the need for a different sort of politics.

I’ve been a Labour councillor and a candidate in three general elections, I was a founder and am now Secretary of Labour for a Republic, and I'm in my 40th year as Treasurer of the Western Sahara Campaign. I want to be a member of a Labour Party committed to real democracy.

Nominated by Maria Iacovou, Annabelle Harle

mary southcott (bristol central clp)

SOUTHCOTTb

LCER supports the APPG Fairer Elections working to Westminster PR. Is ideally placed to help Labour government achieve its manifesto, reversing Tory changes to our democracy. As well as making votes count, we need to work with Labour Government on democratic revival, Labour MPs, Peers, Mayors and Councillors, Unions, our National Policy Forum, educating ourselves in our Constituencies and Membership: supporting cross party legislation on state funding of political parties; electing mayors by a preferential system; automatic registration; STV for English unitary authorities created by devolution; revived citizenship education with votes@16; removing voter ID discriminating against younger and disabled people. We need new arguments in new places for moving from the binary, winner-take-all political culture of the current voting system, tackling cynicism and low turnout, encouraging political debate and seeking consensus on social care, climate change and peace making.

Nominated by Benj Eckford, Sue Lloyd

tony taylor (bury south clp)

T Taylor (2) - antony taylor

My background is in higher education, where I was also a trade union rep. I have acted as a regional rep for LCER since 1998 and have campaigned for voting reform in Greater Manchester across a number of organisations, most recently as the treasurer of Greater Manchester Unlock Democracy. I am an active speaker on voting reform at CLPs, regional conferences and trade union events. I was co-opted onto the LCER Executive in October 2024. I have campaigned for the Labour party since 1992 and have taken up numerous roles within the local party, from agent to candidates in local government elections to, currently, the Disability Officer on the Bury South CLP Executive. With fewer members in the north, I’d like to see a stronger focus by LCER on northern ‘red wall’ constituencies and on Labour voices from key marginal seats like Bury South, where intensive campaigning to the detriment of perceived 'safe' or 'unwinnable' seats highlights the problems posed by the first past the post system.

Nominated by William Taylor, Marsha Healy

william s. taylor (fylde clp)

WST conf 24 - William Taylor

I've been a believer in the need for proportional representation throughout my adult life. I signed Charter88 in 1989 and was the Make Votes Count in Lancashire Local Group Coordinator from 1997 to 2007. I've been an LCER regional representative since 2000. I'm a member of the Electoral Reform Society, and also a PCS trade union member.
In 2023 I was elected as a Labour councillor in Fylde, one of the most Conservative councils in the North West. More Executive Committee members are needed in the North West. Our Executive Committee needs to know the NW perspective when making decisions.
Labour Party members in the NW should look at the wider picture. FPTP has unfortunate policy making effects, because the party focuses on winning battleground seats in general elections. Our policies have to be designed to appeal to floating voters in these seats. A PR system would improve policy making and provide more representative election outcomes.

Nominated by Tony Taylor, Marsha Healy