Featured Candidate: Tom Sharman
23 April 2015
In the run up to the General Election we will be giving you the opportunity to get to know some of our candidates. Our key candidates and spokespeople can be found here.
This year we will be standing in over 90% of seats in England and Wales.
Our featured candidate for Ealing Central and Acton: Tom Sharman
Why are you standing for the Green Party?
Because I think it's time to stand up and be counted. You can spend a lifetime shouting from the sidelines, complaining about how terrible most politicians are. Or you can stand up for what you believe in, fight for the things that really matter and ensure there is a positive choice on the ballot paper. I've decided to do the latter.
What are your three top priorities if elected?
I don't see a distinction between what I'm fighting for nationally and what I want to see locally: I want to see a fairer economy in West London where everyone is paid a living way; I want a public NHS that keeps Ealing Hospital and its new maternity centre (it's scheduled for closure); I want to see real action on climate change - I'll fight against Heathrow's third runway and any other airport expansion in the South-East; and I'll fight the big developers who are filling Ealing and Acton with high rise flats for foreign investors rather than providing decent, affordable homes for local people.
What made you want to get involved in politics?
I've been interested in politics with a small 'p' for a long time. The assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984 and the Miners' Strike of 1984-5 are two of my earliest memories (I was 5 at the time).
After graduating from university I spent a decade working for charities and NGOs trying to improve Governments' international development and climate change policies. Ten years was enough - I increasingly came to see that campaigning and lobbying politicians had its limits: what we really needed to change was the personnel. So two years ago I took the plunge and joined the Greens... in Australia. I was midway through 2 1/2 years away from the UK and it seemed the logical next step. I threw myself into it, volunteering for a Federal Senator and a State Senator, and playing an active grassroots role in the 2013 Federal Election.
I knew that when I got back to the UK I wanted to work for the Green Party. So this is where I am now: the Policy Communications Manager of the fastest-growing political party in England and Wales. And now a candidate in the General Election too.
What's your favourite thing about your constituency?
I've heard it said that Ealing is London's greenest borough. That's probably true and it's something to celebrate. I grew up within spitting distance of three parks: I think green spaces are hugely important for mental wellbeing and fostering a strong community spirit - everyone, whatever their wealth or background, can enjoy them.
Who is your political hero?
I'm going to cheat and give two answers: Tony Benn - the best Labour Prime Minister we never had and Clement Attlee - the best Prime Minister we've ever had.
Growing up under Thatcherism with two politically active parents I remember Tony Benn as being the most powerful opponent of Thatcher with a vision of a better, more equal Britain. Labour used to have that kind of visionary; they don't any more.
Clement Attlee was a bit before my time but his government was the most transformative Britain has ever had. The National Health Service was his government's baby. But so too was the huge increase in the standard of living for working people. I can't imagine rebuilding the country after a major war but the great transformation Attlee achieved in just six years is comparable to the degree of change we need now to address rampant inequality and to tackle climate change.
Contact Tom:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenTomSharman
Twitter: @tom_sharman
Website: http://greentomsharman.tumblr.com/
Email: tom4ealing@greenparty.org.uk