Executives and Team

Simon Collyer

Website URL: http://www..abcorg.net

The Women's Equality Party (WE) this morning hailed the results of its first ever Westminster elections as a stunning vindication of its founding principles of collaborative politics, progressive values and the need to fundamentally reimagine the democratic process.

“When we started the party, we said ‘voters don’t want politics as usual’,” said party co-founder and president Catherine Mayer. “We also pointed to a consensus for progressive values that traversed party boundaries yet was constantly stymied by old-style partisan politics. If this election has proved anything, it is the scale of the appetite for those values and for a new politics.”

“The outcome of this election—a hung Parliament—means any parties seeking to implement the mandate for those values will now have to follow our lead and focus on finding ways to work together.”

The Women’s Equality Party also celebrated the extraordinary achievements of its seven general election candidates, who changed the conversation and raised the game, forcing gender equality on to centre stage.

“These brilliant women, none of whom had any history of political involvement, show individually and collectively how much better politics would be if it drew on all the talent available, rather than remaining a white man’s club,” said Mayer. “During the campaign I saw Sophie Walker’s opponents complaining she was ‘too good’. I heard Harini Iyengar tipped as a future Prime Minister. Just yesterday a young Asian woman came up to tell me how thrilled she had been to vote for Nimco Ali. It was amazing, she said, to be able to vote with 100 per cent enthusiasm. All of our candidates have drawn many, many responses like this.”

WE party leader Sophie Walker led the charge nationally and in Shipley against Conservative Philip Davies, whose 10,000-vote majority had been deemed by Labour to be unassailable. WE’s ground campaign lit a fire under the Shipley contest, prompting a surge in progressive votes that came close to unseating Davies, a notorious anti-feminist.

"I entered this race because Shipley and the UK deserve so much better than Philip Davies," said Sophie Walker. “Our campaign galvanised the progressive response to Davies—and also showed the potential of progressive alliance. We are proud to have led the way with the Green Party, who stood down their candidate to campaign alongside us.”

The campaign showed how much WE can achieve, but it also highlighted the urgent need for electoral reform—and for the Women’s Equality Party. The first-past-the-post system has been proven globally to exclude women and minorities. It also encourages progressives to fight each other. It is also a system that demands huge resources and is unnecessarily expensive, issues that become even more acute for smaller parties in a snap election. For all of these reasons, WE advocates for a fairer proportional system.

The iniquities of the electoral system are compounded by broadcasting guidelines, meant to ensure impartiality during elections, that instead skews the system further by putting more weight on past electoral performance than the current level of membership. “This is why UKIP was splattered all over the nation’s TV screens, while the Women’s Equality Party and the Greens could barely get a look-in,” says Catherine Mayer. “Print media followed broadcast’s lead on this, and in misrepresenting the election as a contest between the two biggest parties instead of what it was, a contest between competing regressive and progressive values.” 

Some media coverage did acknowledge the impact of the Women’s Equality Party and the importance of the WE manifesto. “Their prospectus did make me wonder how much more women could be valued in our society if all parties had the imagination to think this differently and comprehensively," wrote ITV economics editor Noreena Hertz. Zoe Williams in the Guardian praised the manifesto as “an extraordinary document” and the party for “doing the painstaking graft of reimagining all politics through the lens of equality”. 

But the story about the Women’s Equality Party that made the biggest headlines, on the eve of election day, underscored the reason for the party’s existence. Female staff working at the party’s London headquarters in the evening received multiple abusive phone calls from a number of men, one of whom said he was coming to the office and that they should be scared. Nimco Ali, WE candidate for Hornsey & Wood Green, received a letter full of racial and Islamophobic abuse and signed “Jo Cox”, the name of the female MP brutally murdered in 2016.

“Two of the Women’s Equality Party’s core objectives are an end to violence against women and girls and equal representation. The fact that people tried to intimidate us and stop our campaign shows how urgent those objectives are,” said Catherine Mayer.

Notes:

The Women’s Equality Party contested seven seats in the general election:

  • Shipley: Sophie Walker won 1040 votes = 1.9% of vote share
  • Tunbridge Wells: Celine Thomas won 702 votes = 1.3% of vote share
  • Vauxhall: Harini Iyengar won 539 votes = 1% of vote share
  • Hornsey & Wood Green: Nimco Ali won 551 votes = 0.9% of vote share
  • Stirling: Kirstein Rummery won 337 votes  = 0.7%
  • Manchester Withington: Sally Carr won 234 votes = 0.4% of vote share
  • Vale of Glamorgan: Sharon Lovell won 177 votes = 0.3% of vote share

The Women’s Equality Party was established to highlight and dismantle obstacles to gender equality in the UK: a political and economic architecture rigged against women and diversity, an education system riven with unconscious bias and gender stereotyping, a media that reinforces these stereotypes, a society that assigns little value to caregiving and therefore assumes it to be women’s business, that underpays women and invests less in women's health and permits endemic harassment and violence against women.

The Party currently has 65,000 members and registered supporters. It aims to put equality for women at the top of the national political agenda by being an electoral force that also works with other political parties; in addition to party membership it also offers joint memberships to members of other political parties.

Yvan Mayeur, the mayor of Brussels 1000, announced he would quit after revelations he secretly received €1,400 monthly to be a board member of the SAMU Social, the entity tasked with helping Brussels’ poorest and most vulnerable residents.

SAMU Social is a municipal humanitarian emergency service in several cities in France and worldwide whose purpose is to provide care and medical ambulatory aid and nursing to homeless people and people in social distress. This is partially accomplished via mobile units which distribute food, hot drinks, blankets, etc. Its nickname has been not well accepted because it bears confusion with a SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale Urgente), which is an ambulance service.

Yvan Mayeur

Image: Yvan Mayeur, mayor of Brussels

Thursday 08 June, 2017

BHS Profits Tumble

Profits at Sir Philip Green’s retail empire plummeted by 79% last year, with the failure of BHS and tough competition in the clothing market contributing to the poor performance. A report filed with Companies House by Taveta Investments, showed pre-tax profits for the 12 months to August 2016 fell to £36.8, down from £172.2m the previous year. Total sales fell 2.5% to £2.02bn.

More than 40,000 polling stations will be open from 07:00 until 22:00 BST. Currently around 46.9 million people registered to vote.

Results from the first of the 650 constituencies to declare are expected before midnight, while the final tally should be known by Friday afternoon.

To form a majority in the House of Commons, one party must win 326 seats. This is a chance for those unhappy with the way the government and the DWP have been treating people. So make your vote count. 

Wednesday 07 June, 2017

Mandie's Book Reaches Russia

We featured Mandie Holgate, Author, Coach, Broadcaster & Professional Speaker earlier in the year.

Mandie’s book - Fight The Fear -  is now available in Russia we are told.

No need to go that far to buy yours – we are advised leading UK bookstores will have a copy.

Has Putin read it yet we ask, or even: Donald Trump!! 

Mandie Holgate

Image: Mandie Holgate

SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon will be joined by her husband Peter Murrell as they cast their votes for the General Election at Broomhouse Community Hall polling station tomorrow. When: 0900 Thursday 8th June Where: Broomhouse Community Hall, 2 Baillieston Road, Glasgow, G71 7SB.  

You must pre-register before attending the event with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

UK workers will face the biggest real wage fall of any advanced economy in 2018, according to OECD figures released today (Wednesday).

The figures show that UK real wages will fall by 1.1% in 2018 – putting the UK and Finland at joint-bottom of the league for wage growth among OECD countries.

All other OECD members (with the exception of Italy and Mexico) will experience real wage increases in 2018. Average real wage growth across the OECD will be 1.1%.

TUC research has shown that UK workers’ real wages are still lower than they were before the 2008 financial crisis. The average worker’s real wages are down over £1,200 a year on 2008.

Commenting on the news from the OECD, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Boosting wages has to be a top priority for whoever gets the keys to Downing Street.

“British workers still haven’t recovered from the last financial crisis. The last thing they can afford is another hit on their finances.

“Britain badly needs a pay rise – working people must make their voices heard on Thursday

Wednesday 07 June, 2017

NHS Operations Cancelled

Research by the Liberal Democrats has shown that over 10,000 operations were cancelled due to hospital beds being unavailable in 2016, up almost 60% from two years ago. Across 40 NHS trusts in England, the number of operations cancelled due to beds not being available has almost doubled from 6,545 in 2014 to 10,259 in 2016. In several trusts the number of cancelled operations due to lack of beds has tripled in the last two years, including Epsom St Helier and Weston Super Mare.

Around a third of all operations cancelled were due to bed shortages. The Liberal Democrats have pledged to invest £10bn of capital funding in the NHS over the next parliament to repair run-down hospitals, improve capacity and modernise services The party will also raise around £6bn a year through its landmark policy of putting a penny on income tax to rescue the NHS and social care.

 

 

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood will cast her vote in the 2017 UK election

When: 10am, Thursday June 8th 2017

Where: Soar Centre, Tylacelyn Road, Penygraig, CF40 1JZ

Contact: Helen Bradley 07888754754

Siobhan Sharpe, star of the BBC’s hit comedy programme W1A, features in the Women’s Equality Party’s latest general election campaign film, released today.

You can see the film below.

“We are grateful that Siobhan took time out of what she said was a very busy schedule to be interviewed,” said Women’s Equality Party leader Sophie Walker. “Siobhan had a very interesting exchange of views with our team, who were pleased to help clarify for her some of the finer points of our manifesto. And some of the less finer points.”

The Women’s Equality Party is contesting a total of seven seats in the general election, and has unveiled bold policies including universal free childcare, truly shared parental leave at 90% of pay, and plans for a new, caring economic model that will match investment in physical infrastructure with investment in social infrastructure.  

“We believe we could make history in this election, going from a kernel of an idea to a party with Westminster representation in under two years,” said Walker, who is contesting “anti-political correctness” Conservative candidate Philip Davies for the Yorkshire seat of Shipley. “We have fresh ideas, brilliant and diverse candidates, and a drive to work cross-party to get the job done in the quickest time. We think that’s the kind of politics that people want to see.”

Siobhan Sharpe was unavailable for comment.

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Executives

  • Simon Collyer

    Simon Collyer

    Position: Founder & Director

    Simon Collyer hails from Brightlingsea in Essex, a small town on the coast between Colchester & Clacton. Simon worked very successfully in the leisure marine industry in the UK and in Australia. Later in London Simon worked in the web development and publishing fields, founding a below-the-line sales promotion agency in the early nineties and then later a software company Red Banner in South Africa (2002-06). Here in South Africa, Simon became interested in the Third Sector and starting his own organisation.

  • Christopher Johnson

    Christopher Johnson

    Position: Bookkeeping and Administration

    Chris lived in Oxford for twenty years, having been educated at Magdalen College School. Chris sought a career with British Rail and spent twenty years in railway retail management ending with Virgin Trains at Euston Station. Christopher retrained in bookkeeping and accounts in 2000 and now works for Chelmsford Community Transport.

    A strong, enthusiastic team player with a meticulous eye for detail, Christopher brings a range of skills to the ABC.

Team

  • Frances Rimmer

    Frances Rimmer

    Position: Researcher

    When not charming snakes Frances is a Modern History student at the University of Essex, focusing specifically on social history. The lives and experiences of the ordinary person rather than on politics or the military. Outside of her studies, Frances enjoys film and writing. As a keen roller skater who plays roller derby with the Kent Roller Girls, Frances secret wish would be to become a skating instructor and open her own rink, as she has always wanted to help people in some way, and feels it would be great to do so while also sharing her passion with like-minded people.

  • Stuart Meyers

    Stuart Meyers

    Position: Researcher

    Stuart Meyer, is a final year American Studies student at the University of Essex. Stuart focussed his academic life on global justice and the rights of migrants. Additionally Stuart has a passion for writing, both creatively and with the aim of providing accessible information to those who need it most Stuart has made a great contribution to our library of Advice Guides demonstrating his versatility by writing intelligently on a wide range of topics.

  • Louis Jones

    Louis Jones

    Position: Film Maker

    Louis is a 19 year old TV and film student studying at Colchester Institute. Along with hand-picked fellow students, Louis made the ‘Membership’ video that can be seen on the ABC website. Louis volunteers at, Hospital Radio Colchester, as a football commentator. A true fan of the ‘Great Game’ Louis insights have been sought after on occasions by key local media, the Colchester Daily Gazette & even BBC Essex.

  • Marcus Pierpont

    Marcus Pierpont

    Position: Film Director

    Talented student film maker, Marcus Pierpoint, directed the ABC 'Membership' film which can be seen on the organizations website. Marcus has recently graduated from a BTEC course, studying Creative Media Production at Colchester Institute and he claims a true passion for films and filmmaking. Marcus also enjoys radio work and volunteers at the local hospital radio station, producing and presenting his own show. Marcus is enrolled at the University of Greenwich, and dreams of a career in the media industry.

  • Shane Mitchell

    Shane Mitchell

    Position: Film Maker

    Shane Mitchell, is another Colchester Institute Film and TV student that aspirers to be a Director of Photography in the future. Shane was the camera operator for the ABC Membership video, fun to make says Shane but it is also work he is very proud of. Shane loves all things ‘film’ and he makes videos even in his spare time.

  • Joe Corlett

    Joe Corlett

    Position: Film Director

    Ex-student script writer/director, Joe Corlett, directed the ABC's corporate video (About Us) which is now viewable on the main website. Joe graduated from the Colchester Institute with a BTEC diploma in the field of media. Joe is passionate towards film making and hopes to continue making more that are constructed form his own material. On the side he's loves being out jogging in all terrains and when not out side he's writing scripts for future projects. Joe is now out in the world ready to start his life goal of working in the Media industry.  

  • Jon Taylor

    Jon Taylor

    Position: Film Maker

    Jonathan Taylor has been working in the media sector for 3 years and for our filming projects he worked as the production manager. John worked on graphical elements of our film, About Us for example, rendering images and making them look good on screen.

    Jon is also experienced in animation and he made the logo and animation sequences in the ABC corporate videos.

    Part of Jon’s brief was to also organise the administration side of filming, known collectively to admin experts the world over as ‘the paperwork’.

  • Thomas Hearn

    Thomas Hearn

    Position: Film Maker

    Thomas Hearn, has been involved in media, for about three years. Tom likes to work a lot at a computer, particularly the editing suite. For the ABC project, Tom worked on the edit itself; created and pieced together both the footage and the music, Tom created the visual elements of the ABC ‘About Us’ video and put most of the visual effects on the video.

    I think we can agree that along with the rest of our youthful student team; Tom has done a very fine job indeed.

  • Max Gillard

    Max Gillard

    Position: Film Maker

    The last of our film team Max Gillard has recently finished college studying Creative Media Level 3 and Max hopes to continue the course on to University to someday gain a job in the media industry.

    We wish Max the best of luck.

  • Harry

    Harry

    Position: Film Maker

    My name is Harry Genge and I am an aspiring film maker. I have skills in the majority of film orientated jobs, though I am most interested in the creative roles such: Directing, Director of Photography and Writing. In my spare time I make short films, write, read, draw/paint and take the dog out for long walks.

     

  • Ned

    Ned

    Position: Producers

    My name is Ned Woodcraft and I’m an aspiring Producer. As well as completing a diploma in media production I have also had a number of jobs in the professional market. I’m also a keen sailor and water sport enthusiast.

     

  • Brandon

    Brandon

    Position: Producer

    My name is Brandon and I’m an aspiring producer and actor. I enjoy bringing a production together with planning and preparations to create a great finished product. My hobbies also include street magic and bass playing.

     

  • Callum

    Callum

    Position: Writer and Director

    My name is Callum Olive and I’m an aspiring writer and director. I’m always looking for a new project and love writing new stories and screenplays at home and on the move. My hobbies include playing the piano and street magic.

     

  • Joanie DeMuro

    Joanie DeMuro

    Joanie joined ABC team in early 2017. She was one of six student volunteers from the University of Essex in that cohort. The student team focused on a range of projects, including creation of Wikipedia page,‘training manual’ and most importantly, researching and adding entries to the website directory of organisations that assist the unwaged, or those on low incomes. “This placement was very helpful - thanks for the opportunity Simon.”

     

  • Cherry Lam

    Cherry Lam

    Cherry Lam has been volunteering for ABC for one month. Although it is a short period of time, she knows a lot more about the running of a charity organisation. Cherry is responsible for adding directories to the organisation website according to categories. Joining this placement helped her improving skills and gaining new experiences. Cherry says is extremely appreciative of the support she has received from ABC which allowed her to improve skills.

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