TRIBUNE

05/04/15

One venti latte please.

Of course, we are thousands of miles from Italy. The hustle and bustle of Londons
prestigious Moorgate does nothing but fortify this. Investment-banking galore, the
street thrives upon corporate movement. Business booms and private profit flourishes.
The man at the heart of remaining seemingly untouched by the impending buzz of a
Tory-led economy is Vincenzo Rampulla. A Westminster Councillor who could be
considered the epitome of the everyday man. His humble beginnings in Lewisham
break the stigma that exists between the links within upbringing, education, and
involvement in the political world.
Im certain that the second ever McDonalds in London opened up in Lewisham you
know he flashed a smirk instantaneously, and we were self-assured that this
particular politician would think nothing of picking up a mayo chicken for 99p.
His parents, both of Italian descent, like those of many immigrating families,
encouraged a young Vincenzo to pursue his dreams in Britain. Upon completion of his
A levels, Vincenzo applied to the University of Oxford and achieved a degree in
physics. Something truly beautiful ensued upon learning the foundations of his
passion. The spark in his eyes was enough to light the infinite galaxies he spoke of.
His interests leapt between knowing the formation of particles [in this glass] to the
power of the electronics which power the Dictaphone [that sits between us].
Surprisingly it wasnt the renowned academics that cultivated Vincenzos engagement
with politics. As he began to feel impacted by the financial repercussions of rent
prices, his interest in how negotiations were made and how groups of people were
represented socially arose and began to cultivate. From this point onwards Vincenzo
began to recognise politics as an active pursuit, and moved away from the
consensus that politics is a misty area of society that wrongly defines an individual
merely to construct an audience for an arena.
It didnt stop there. Becoming involved with the Crisis charity massively influenced
Vincenzos political engagement and it became evident that his views and political
stance were aligned with those of the Labour party. Completing a residential
volunteering year with the charity really stimulated his understanding of the
inequality and hardship that is faced across the British capital. The connotations of
power and wealth associated with the Church street ward that Vincenzo represents can
be heavily attributed to the location of the area within the city.

With the incredibly close proximity to one of the citys biggest revenues (of course
neighboring Oxford Street and Marybone is a big thing to live up to), it is easy to
dismiss Westminster as a borough that would never be thought to face any form of
financial strain or social inequality. However, Church Street is in fact considered to be
one of the most deprived wards in Westminster.

The social diversity that exists within the area is astounding he remarks, exhibiting
a real sense of the everyday man. He exhibited genuine initiative for change that is
particularly refreshing. Undeniably a lot of regeneration is going on across many
areas of the social and economic spectrum. But we need to make sure that this
development works for the local people and makes their lives better. It isnt simply a
sense of building up homes or commercial properties to make money, it has to really
benefit the people.
Under a Tory-led economy, it is often only the commercial sector that sees the
benefits of the taxpayers money. In Vincenzos eyes the corporate-loving giants
themselves couldnt do more to isolate themselves from the British public, and I for
one sincerely agree.
If they [the Tories] were sat here in this coffee shop with you and I, they would
probably agree with us and our values. But suited and booted up in parliament they
massively alienate themselves and couldnt seem further apart from us.
Shockingly for an academic, Vincenzo perceives theoretical terms as pigeon-holing
and limiting. Especially where politics are concerned.
I am not even entirely sure what working class means in this day and age, and I
havent considered these political terms of left and right. I think the fluidity within
them makes it difficult to underpin yourself to one or the other.
Observing the people who blurred into the background around us, he paused for a
moment before asking does that make me left? It probably does I mean I am more
than happy to call myself a socialist. But at the end of the day politics, especially local
politics, are what you make it.
And with that he took the coffee like a shot of espresso.

Roehampton University School of Arts, Journalism and News Media Programme

Sourcesheet for all journalism and nonfiction modules

Journalism does not have footnotes and bibliographies. But as your editors we
need to know the precise nature of your sources and to be able to judge their range
and veracity. Even if a source is not named in the article, or given a real name, you
should include him/her here. One sheet must be completed for each individual
assignment (e.g. profile, topical feature, news story). Group together all sources in
each category for example, all interviewees should be listed under Name of
source, and all printed material under Name of book/article. Each listing must be
specific and detailed. Additional advice on completing the form can be given during
tutorials.

Name/Student number Katie Horsfall

Assignment Reporting Britain: Assessment 1 - Profile

HOR14371424

Name of source
(eg person, job title, related organisation)

Contact details
(eg telephone number, email address)

Vincenzo Rampulla

07900 912597
vrampulla@westminster.gov.uk

Name of book/article

Author/publisher/title/date of
publication

Politics UK fifth edition

Jones, Kavanagh, Moran, Norton

Pearson Longman
2006

Understanding British
Party Politics

Steven Driver
Polity Press
2013

Website publisher (person and/or

organisation that posted the information)

Precise url and date accessed

Vincenzo Rampulla
Labour List

http://labourlist.org/2015/02/thisavoidance-culture-is-taxing-we-need-tochange-it/
03/02/15
http://labourlist.org/2015/02/antibusiness-the-reality-is-that-locallylabour-councils-are-making-businesswork/
03/02/15
http://labourlist.org/2012/08/should-welove-the-flag-more/
05/02/15
http://labourlist.org/2011/09/refoundinglabour-a-cautionary-tale/
08/02/15
http://labourlist.org/2012/01/its-too-coldto-be-sleeping-rough/
08/02/15
http://labourlist.org/2011/07/ed-speakhuman/
12/02/15