Left-Right: Tony, iman, Erica, Mary and Harbi
A
statement from the newly formed Green Group of Councillors in Brent Council: Cllr Tony Ethapemi, Cllr Erica
Gbajumo, Cllr Harbi Farah, Cllr Iman Ahmadi Moghaddam, Cllr Mary Mitchell.
15.12.25
Like
thousands of others, we joined the Labour Party because we believed in building
a fairer society. As councillors, we took that mission into Brent, determined
to stand up for the people who placed their trust in us.
Between us
we have over 80 years membership of the Labour Party and over 30 years
experience as local councillors representing our communities and advocating for
residents. We have now come to the realisation that we can no longer play that
role effectively while remaining within the Labour Party.
We always
knew being a party of government would put the principles and values of the
party to the test, but we have watched as on every issue this government goes
further away from the founding Labour Party principles of democracy, social
justice and equality.
We have a
huge amount of respect for many of our hard working Labour colleagues and party
members in Brent, but we don’t feel that the party represents the values we
hold any longer.
We want to
represent a party that believes in radical overhaul of our systems to tackle
the cost of living crisis and rising inequality, including wholesale reform of
our tax system to ensure that the richest pay their way, rather than tinkering
around the edges.
We want to
represent a party that recognises that there is a not just a conflict, or even
a humanitarian emergency, but a genocide taking place in Gaza, one with British
roots and one that we are supporting through arms sales and criminalising
peaceful protest.
We want to
represent a party that recognises that people and planet are inextricably
linked and that we need to do much more to tackle the biodiversity and climate
crises. That this is not something that will only affect our children, but is a
case of national security here and now.
We want to
be members of a party that has a real and open conversation about national
identity & community cohesion and that doesn’t scapegoat immigrants, a party
that maintains its international obligations to asylum seekers and stands firm
against racism.
We want to
be members of a party nationally and locally that values diversity of opinion
rather than a top-down structure with no space for difference, that silences
and expels members who speak out against the party line. We want to shape
politics differently in Brent.
We did not
enter public life to serve a party machine - we entered it to serve our
residents and we will not abandon that duty. That is why we are today resigning
our membership of the Labour Party, and joining the Green Party, becoming the
first Green Group of Councillors in Brent.
We are proud
to be part of the Green Party’s vision of hope and to be providing Brent
residents with a real alternative to the status quo. Because there is an
alternative. An alternative to austerity. An alternative to a politics that
tells you “there’s not enough money” whilst billions keep flowing into the
pockets of the wealthy and we continue to chase economic growth at all costs.
Today marks
a new chapter in local politics in Brent, rooted in accountability and a
commitment to environmental and social justice.
We invite
all who share this vision to work with us in offering Brent a real alternative.
Together, we can build a Brent that puts people before profit, public good
before private greed and hope before fear.
