Published: Monday, 11th May, 2009 3:00pm

Letter: Not Blairite, just Labour

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Mark Bennett
Pic by: Lambeth Council

DEAR Sir,

Adam Hewitt's article (May 5) describing me as a 'Blairite' candidate in Reading West needs correction. I do not identify as Blairite, Brownite, New Labour, Old Labour or any of the labels that are attached to people by others for their own negative purposes or to further their own ambitions.

I identify only as Labour and totally disapprove of factions seeking to out-left or out-right each other. I have been a Labour activist for 17 years, and a trade unionist for longer. I started work as a hospital porter aged 17 while Margaret Thatcher was prime minister. That does not make me a Thatcherite, and to label me a Blairite because I worked at Downing Street (as a civil servant) from 1997-2001 is equally simplistic.

Nor was I part of anyone's greater scheme in Reading West - I started my campaign alone. It was my own decision to stand and like many other candidates I pounded the pavements alone. There was no machine helping me.

So why did I stand? Because I come from a working class, Labour-supporting family rooted in Reading and Berkshire. I have known Reading since I was a baby. My grandfather, Tom Bennett, was born into poverty in what is now Reading West and I have family living and working across Reading. I have worked hard as a Labour councillor in Lambeth for four years, with a highly demanding crime portfolio in one of the most challenging parts of London, so I am not untested as a working politician.

Finally, I offer whoever is finally selected in Reading West my best wishes.

Yours faithfully

Cllr Mark Bennett

Cabinet Member for Community Safety

Labour and Co-operative councillor for Streatham South

London Borough of Lambeth