Sunday, May 8, 2016

Nigerian Florence Eshalomi is elected as the London Assembly member for Lambeth and Southwark

Florence Eshalomi (nee Nosegbe) has been confirmed as a newly elected member of the London Assemby after a convincing victory over her political opponents.

According to the official account for the London Labour Congress, the Lambeth Labour Cllr polled an impressive 96,946 votes across the two boroughs. Conservative Robert Flint came second with 34,703.
The 35-year-old mother of one celebrated the good news with her twitter followers, writing: "Feeling proud 2 be elected Assembly Member 4 Lambeth and Southwark. Thank you 2 all 4 voting and 2 the fab campaign team. Now let's turn City Hall Red!"

Eshalomi is from the right of the Labour party. She has the backing of Tessa Jowell and Lambeth Council Leader Cllr Lib Peck. She is also a member of the Board at Progress - the party within a party that promotes Blairite values.

The new London Assembly member has consistently voted for cuts to libraries and for the controversial ‘estate regeneration’ at the likes of Cressingham Gardens. She didn’t talk about these policies as part of her election campaign.

As part of her previous Cabinet role for Culture, Sport and the Olympics, her portfolio included the Lambeth Country Show and the temporary cancellation of the event in 2012 due to the Olympics. This decision was reversed by Eshalomi following strong feedback from the community.

Eshalomi will succeed Valerie Shawcross of the Labour Party who has represented the constituency since the first assembly elections in 2000.

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