The letter as seen is formal communication to the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, The Rt Hon Tom Watson MP - Member of Parliament for West Bromwich East: declaring my intention to seek the Labour Party Nomination for the 2020 West Midlands Mayoral Election. This was sent to Tom and the West Midlands Labour Party on Tuesday 12th September 2017.

1. KASHMIRE DARREN SINGH HAWKER
55 Perry Avenue, Low Hill, Bushbury, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV10 9BX
07766979216
kashmire.hawker@gmail.com
Twitter: @KDSHawker
LinkedIn: Kashmire Hawker
Wolverhampton North East CLP / Bushbury South and Low Hill WLP /
Sheffield Young Labour Disability Officer (Currently at Sheffield Hallam University Studying BA (Hons) Politics
Tuesday 12th September 2017
Mr Tom Watson, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
Terry Duffy House
Thomas Street
West Bromwich Office
West Bromwich
West Midlands
B70 6NT
Dear Tom,
I hope you’ve had a restful summer break, followingseveral extraordinary months which havejustpassed:of which I give personal
congratulations for your strongRe-Election in WestBromwich East!
Ever since1st meeting my Member of Parliament;the wonderful Emma Reynolds of Wolverhampton North Easton December 17th
2012 whilstservingwith City of Wolverhampton Youth Council, ata Parliamentary Reception in the House of Commons DiningRoom:
my belief, love and passion of Labour values – as well as the dream that a Socialistled and thinkingSociety can create opportunity,
wealth and engagement for the whole of the nation; has pumped through every ounce of blood within sideme.
Those thoughts arewhy I proudly say thatI am a Labour Party member – and that likemany thousands likemyself,despitethe
constantstruggles we all go through in daily life,our hopes and ambitions will notonly liveon, but one day be realised.

2. Wolverhampton North East CLP / Bushbury South and Low Hill WLP /
Sheffield Young Labour Disability Officer (Currently at Sheffield Hallam University Studying BA (Hons) Politics
However, seeing the outcome of May 4th’s Election of a WestMidland Mayor should havebeen the biggest possiblewake-up call to
all in the party, that even in the “safestLabour areas”– humiliation and failureto realisethe thoughts and visions weall have,could
and in this casedid come about.
Let’s not kid ourselves here: the defeat summed up the mood of the Party and the feelings of the people atthe time; and yes, the
message of “Taking Back Control of the WestMidlands”was a simpleone to use and explain – that to say that 40 years of
Westminster ruleof a former industrial powerhousewasn’t atall successful,butit seemed desperate to use such a Brexit likeslogan
for a regional contestof its kind – and thus in my heart of hearts,I am not surprised in the slightestthatit failed.
Not only that, the lack of involvement in the campaign by the national leadership was a truly shockingsight.Itshouldn’thave
mattered what fraction of the party folk come from (even though Sion’s reputation seemed to be tarnished by being on the Centre of
the party, as well as being a Former MP & Current MEP, which made multiple folk rather concerned he was only in it for himself) –
particularly with a contest that was ours to loseand being Her Majesty’s Official and MostLoyal Opposition,this should havegiven
Jeremy and the rest of the Shadow Cabinet no excuses!
Also the lack of a ground contest, as well as an unacceptably lowamount spent on Social Media promotion made myself rightfully
concerned as campaigningwent on and as stated already,I amnot surprised defeatwas the outcome. My biggest wish and what
should be a regret - that the way we then went about the 5 weeks that then came and rocked Mayor Street and the Conservatives
greatly, should havebeen what the Party did in the Mayoral Election:which I repeat should been an easy and comfortablewin.
Being someone who has always haslived in a lowincomehousehold and also beingAutistic atthe sametime, has without doubt
made lifefeel likea grand struggle. Returning home to only the basics in thefridge, freezer and bread bin and thus seeing our nearby
Foodbank droppingby a delivery being a regular sight;to justaboutscrappingenough to top of the Electric metre; to be constantly
budged by the inequalities of disabled peoplenot being helped as they should (I.E I couldn’t even appeal for a lostPersonal
Independence Payment claimas I was “too late” in getting stuff together for it) and thus financially beingsqueezed even further than
ever before; be pressured to do anythingto make ends meat – some things of which I feel terribly uncomfortableand insidea family
which has always had our problems,despitewanting to our best: shouldn’tbe the way that anyone: yet alonea 19 (turning 20 this
coming Saturday) year old should be livingin the year 2017?
To know I am one of several hundreds of thousands acrossthe7 bits of an area which I proud to call home; doesn’t surprisemyself,
but worries me too much that unless there is real leadership,things won’t change and these lifestruggles will never die.
And this is where the punchlineof this correspondencecomes in: as by thinkingthat the Region can Unique, Progressiveand
Different, I formally declare announce my intention to run for the Labour and Co-operative Party Candidate, for the 2020 West
Midlands Mayoral Election. I note the party rule book that requires all candidates,for any Election the party stand within musthold
a Trade Union membership and as a result,I will seek to fulfil this within the coming6 months.
Personally,our candidatefor 2020 should be someone under 35 - with a background in Politics –with a brillianttrack record and
importantly will bewanting to use the skills,beliefs,desires and will of our region. We haveone of the most talented sets of
campaigners on the planetand thus I know one of them will beable to take us forward,which is why with more than 5 ½ years
Political (party and non-party wise) in the bank, connections to amazing, folk,organisationsand charities acrosstheregion and with
myself being of such a young age – havingsuch a big slateof determination: of the want to make a wonderful difference to our lives:
I feel I can be that person the party will belookingfor..

3. Wolverhampton North East CLP / Bushbury South and Low Hill WLP /
Sheffield Young Labour Disability Officer (Currently at Sheffield Hallam University Studying BA (Hons) Politics
The WMCA area is a truly tremendous place– the home of 23 Sites of Special Scientific Interest; one of the most cultural placesin
the world; the 3rd most populated urban is in the United Kingdom; the home of some of the biggest and respectablecompanies i n
the land,includingthepowerhouse of JLR, JCB, Wilko,Bowmer and Lakeland and 2 Sisters Food Group; 2 Areas of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (ANOB); the base for some of the most known sportingteams worldwideand finally:the home to a unbreakable
spirit;thatspiritbeingthe WestMidlands is uniquein nature,quirky in its people, progressivein its thinking and thus: justloves to
be different.
And with the possibility of Coventry as UK City of Culture in 2021, as well as Birminghamhostingthe 4th biggest Quad-Annual
Sporting event; in the Commonwealth Games in 2022 - and investment promises from Labour Councils comingto fruition: despite
the most dreadful Local Government Cutbacks ever seen; the success of some of the businesses as mentioned above: specifically
being down to the continued investment they have put into the West Midlands;and the talents of folk being widely recognised more
than possible,there is despitemany negatives, a lotto believe in and be good about.
Finally –beinga WestMidlander has shaped some of my beliefs:of warmth, care,freedom, honesty and welcoming: they I believe
sum up the region of my birth (entered the world in Worcester) – of my living(previously lived in Droitwich Spa and GreatMalvern
before moving to Wolverhampton over 8 years ago) and crucially of my love, passion and opportunity to serve: for a placewhich
potential; some of which has not yet been seen. The above traits arein my view is what we need in not justa Labour Candidate,but
a future Regional Leader.
To have any sort of chanceto make my mark would be the greatest honour possible –and thus I not only make my indications clear
as stated, but look forward to not justthe Selection contestwhenever it will be(I’d suggest the sooner we have the candidate,the
stronger position we will be in for the next contest and therefore be ableto conduct a strong, relevant,well seen and dynamic
campaign),but the continued and positive campaigningthatwe havebeen partof over the lastseveral months.
At the end of the day,that is how we will win and changelives For The Many, Not The Few!
You’re sincerely and Kind Regards
Kashmire