Kelvin Blake

18 May 2012

Dear Party Member, I am Kelvin Blake and I am proud to have recently been shortlisted as a prospective Labour Party candidate for the elected Mayor of Bristol. I am a senior executive in BT, a Non-Executive Director of University Hospitals Bristol and a former Labour Councillor. It didn't start off like that. I grew up in Knowle West and went to Merrywood Boys School, leaving without many qualifications. Through hard work, determination and opportunities I have forged a successful career. My background says something about the city that I want to build. I want my story to be that of every child in our city. I have the ideas and a clear vision for the city. I love Bristol and its a fantastic place. But some dont share the same experience as me and you. Thats why I want to tackle head on the fact that Bristol is a divided city. How can it be right that there is a 9 year life expectancy difference between the well off and less well-off parts of Bristol, In Lawrence Hill ward 60% of children are living in poverty against a figure of 4% in Stoke Bishop, and government policies are having a disproportionate impact on women, disabled people and those less well off. I am determined to do something about it. My focus and energy will be on delivering a fairer more equitable city for everyone. My priorities will be to create more jobs by attracting new businesses and expanding existing businesses; we need to create a sense of urgency when it comes to improving public transport; we have to raise aspirations amongst our young people and make sure they have the skills and support to get those new jobs. We need a programme of house building to deliver affordable homes and we need to start to tackle the crisis in social care. To do this I will negotiate hard with Government to get a better deal for Bristol. I will reach out to voters across the city whatever their political allegiances because I will always put Bristols interests in front of party interests. I have the experience. My job involves making important decision on direction, negotiating with suppliers, partners and customers and building a successful business. BT is the second largest private sector employer in the South West and we have recently invested 110m in Bristol deploying superfast broadband. I bring that knowledge and drive to my role on the board of University Hospitals Bristol where we have recently decided to investment in the redevelopment of the BRI and Childrens Hospitals. This has been achieved by not using PFI but from careful stewardship of public funds and investing savings made during Labours

years of record investment. I know how to build popular support, take tough decisions and deliver. And when I was a Councillor I got things done securing millions of pounds of regeneration investment for the most deprived communities. This election is almost as important as a general election. It is about Bristol's future but it will also be a judgement call on the direction of this Tory led government and Labour's response. And in 2015 when Bristolians go to the polls at the General Election a Labour Mayor needs to have delivered. That is why we need a strong candidate who can do the job but also offer something new. I can unite the party and motivate party members, the unions and supporters to campaign right across the city. This is our opportunity to re-establish Labour as the party with the ideas, experience and ability to change Bristol for the better. So, I would appreciate your support. With your help we can win this election and have the first Mayor of Bristol a Labour Mayor. If you would like to help my campaign, have any questions or would like to talk to me please feel free to make contact. Kelvin Blake E: me@kelvinblake.com Twitter: KelvinBlake