Here we go 💪

If you are a thoughts and prayers person, please keep me and my family in them over the next month, particularly as parts of this work can be quite unsafe and we live in challenging times.

I love being able to show some care to people who suddenly open up to you about things you wouldn't expect to hear people open up to about: the death of a husband or the pain an obscure policy has caused them. I love listening to people talk about what matters to them.

I don't think everyone should be a politician, but after completing my first doorknocking session as a candidate, I am certain this is the right path for me. I absolutely love it. I love speaking to people about their concerns, I love arguing about policy.

This has been a difficult decision for me, as the groups and people I have worked with over the years have been dear friends to me, and I will miss seeing all of them so regularly. The fight continues, just from different perspectives.

Taking on this partisan role means that I need to resign my leadership positions at Birmingham Citizens, the community organising charity I have worked with over the last nine years.

Regardless of whether I win or lose this by-election, I will also stand in the citywide election next year in May.

For those unfamiliar with the UK council system, to be a city councillor in Birmingham means to represent one part of the city, around 21,000 people in Moseley. It is a part-time post and I will continue my day job at Aston.

She was deeply respected and worked incredibly hard on behalf of the people of Moseley. In a fairer world, I would not be standing in this election, but in this imperfect world, I'm so honoured to be given a chance to take her legacy forward.