EVESHAM’s defeated Labour candidate has vowed to continue holding the Conservatives to account and paid tribute to all those who lent a hand in her campaign.
In a letter to the Observer, Helen Russell revealed she was disappointed by both the local and national result but proud of the local campaign which she said motivated lots of people to get involved and also join the Labour Party locally.
The champion athlete said neither she nor the 400 plus Labour Party members in Mid Worcestershire were going anywhere and would continue to work towards building a fairer and more equal society- starting locally.
“You all worked so hard and I salute each and every one of you. Thank you to everyone who supported us however large or small- from talking to friends and colleagues, putting up a Labour poster and delivering leaflets to sharing and retweeting posts on social media,” she said.
“As a cyclist I know when you fall off your bike the best thing to do is to get straight back on it and that’s what I’ll do!
“Due to previously focusing on my work as a trade union officer and competing in sport at an international level it took me a while to take the plunge to stand for public office but now I have this is only the beginning for me.
Speaking at a post election event, David Haslam, chair of the Evesham Labour Party, told members: “We are going to be needed more now than if we had won the election.
“Those in poverty, in exploitative jobs or on squeezed benefits, and those reliant on the NHS or fearful of the climate crisis will need some hope and our support.
“We already have some ideas as to the activities which might be needed. We will also be holding the newly elected MP and his party to account for their promises of action,” he added.
