Thank you - from your Labour & Co-operative Party candidates

Hi everyone,

As you will know by now, we have not been elected to represent you for the next four years.

While this was of course not the result the three of us hoped for, we would like to thank every resident who took the time to share their views with us on the doorstep and engage with us at hustings, community events and here on Harringay Online.

We appreciated every conversation. In a big city like London, where people often live atomised lives, Harringay residents’ engagement with local matters and their care for our public spaces is special – and should not be taken for granted. We would also like to congratulate Marc, Jo and Rosie on their election. We wish them all the very best in delivering for Harringay and its residents – and hope they find public service deeply fulfilling. We would also like to thank our Liberal Democrat candidates – Karen, Dom and David – for running a cordial campaign. We have particularly appreciated David’s kind words and witty remarks whenever we crossed paths with him on the campaign trail.

Zena and I have very much enjoyed serving Harringay ward for these past four years – nine years in Zena’s case! From winning new investment for our roads and green spaces, to collaborating with our Ladder Community Safety Partnership to reduce antisocial behaviour, to opposing late-night gambling in the Magistrates Court – we have poured our energy and commitment into representing Harringay and are proud of everything we have achieved with residents. It has been an absolute privilege to represent Harringay and we have never taken this responsibility lightly.

A final word from Anna and Olly: Haringey Council lost a giant in the world of children’s policy yesterday. Zena Brabazon leaves a legacy very few local councillors can match. Her expertise and sheer determination as Cabinet Member for Children took a local council with a tragic history of two high-profile failed child welfare cases on a journey that culminated in Haringey’s first ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating for Children’s Services in February this year. With 98% of our schools rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’, ‘Outstanding’ SEND services and alternative provision, and £50.6m invested in our school buildings: every child in our borough is better off because Zena fought for them.

Thank you everyone – and please do stay in touch.

Anna Abela (on behalf of Olly Bennathan and Zena Brabazon)