Samantha Townsend

My name is Samantha and I am a serving councillor representing Shildon and Dene Valley, a community in South West Durham which has suffered terribly from over a decade of Tory decline.

I’m a socialist and a trade unionist, with a keen interest in education as well as the rights of disabled people and their carers. As the Labour Party enters government I’m keen to ensure policy reflects the needs of communities like the one I represent to ensure we can never fall to the Tories across the Red Wall again.

Having held many positions within the local constituency party, including secretary and chair, I recognise and value the voice of members and truly believe that we are at our best when we build from the grassroots. As a councillor I know that there is an art to compromise, I am pragmatic and reasonable but will always make a robust case for my values.

I am proud to be supported by the CLGA and Momentum. Hannah Cousins, David Ray, Rochelle Charlton-Laine, and Joshua Freestone (Youth Position). We’ll be a strong team working together to ensure that the NPF considers a wide range of policy platforms and remains accountable to members.