Gemma Townsend is the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Lewisham Deptford

 

Gemma grew up in Wapping in East London. Since graduating from the University of Manchester where she studied Sociology, she has lived all over London including Deptford and Crofton Park. Gemma has been campaigning in Lewisham Deptford now since 2006, when she
stood as a candidate in the local elections. Gemma was selected to stand for Parliament in Lewisham Deptford in December 2008.
 
Gemma works for the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, managing his policing and crime policies. She has previously worked in a number of social policy and research roles for the London Assembly, Southwark Council, Ofsted and Populus.
 
Over the years Gemma has been proud to have had an impact on policies to reduce crime and serious youth violence and to improve standards in education, housing, health and social care, whilst reducing the burden on the tax payer. She has learnt a great deal from a wide range of practitioners in the field.
 
Gemma sits on a number of regional boards to tackle crime in London and is on the Management Board of Abbey Manor College in Lee Green, a Pupil Referral Unit in Lewisham. Gemma enjoys volunteering and over the years she has volunteered with children and young people, pensioners and young offenders in both London and abroad.
 
Gemma is particularly concerned that in four years of campaigning in Lewisham, residents are still complaining about the same things. She is campaigning on crime, regeneration, transport and education. Having worked in government, Gemma is adamant that local authorities could be more resourceful and provide significantly better services, she will ensure her campaign holds Lewisham Council to account.

 

Gemma said:

"As a local resident it's easy to see the things that need to change and that's why I've been working really hard for over 4 years now to make sure I win this election.

"Conservatives came second in Lewisham, in the Mayoral elections in 2008. It's my job to make sure we come in first place and help David Cameron to win in Parliament.

"But this isn't about me, it Gordon vs Cameron. Residents tell me that Gordon Brown hasn't done anything for them, but they're still not sure who to vote for. Make no mistake voting Lib Dem or Green is a vote for Labour. Conservatives need 117 new seats in parliament, just to have a

majority of 1. That means winning back seats like this one."

 

FACTS ABOUT GEMMA:

 

  1. Gemma has lived in London since she was 4 and currently lives in Crofton Park
  2. Gemma Stood in Crofton Park in the 2006 Council Elections
  3. Gemma works in Boris Johnson's team, managing his policies to make London safer
  4. Gemma has worked in local and central government on policies to improve schools, youth services and save tax payers money
  5. Gemma is a school governor in Lewisham and has volunteered with children, young people and offenders, in both London and abroad