PARR Councillor Bisi Osundeko has put herself forward in the running to become Labour's general election candidate for St Helens North and has shared her views on why she feels she is right for the job.

Bisi Osundeko has been a councillor for Parr for five years, twice elected, and sits as a representative on Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority.

She has put herself in the running to become Labour's representative for St Helens North following Conor McGinn decision to leave the party and remain as an independent MP until the next election.

Among others to have entered the race to be selected as Labour's candidate are the council leader David Baines and Luke Joseph, a parliamentary assistant to Marie Rimmer.

Cllr Baines, the most high profile of the candidates to have declared they are running, is already being tipped as the favourite by party insiders.

However, the other candidates are determined to make a compelling case to local Labour members.

Bisi shared her views on why she decided to run for the position with the Star.

Life experiences and fresh approach

She said: “This move has been in the works for quite some time because ultimately I feel like my life experiences put me in a unique position to offer support and a fresh approach to being an MP for St Helens North.

“Many people may know this already but when I came to St Helens I had two very small children with complex needs, my daughter Joy, who died last year, was born with a life-limiting illness and we needed an adapted home for her.

“I came to St Helens because we found that home and we found as well that the community welcomed us and the services available gave our family the best chance of success.

“As a young mother, I was thrust into a world of uncertainties, poverty, and deprivation—consequences of the policies enacted by the Conservative government.

“I as a woman and a mother had to advocate for my children – especially my daughter Joy – where she had no voice I used mine, where she needed support I fought for her and where she needed me to fight in her corner I did it.

“I know what it means to fight for what you have, to find a home suitable for your family, and services to better suit your needs and that of your family and fight for the safety and protection of a loved one."

Bisi added that she feels MPs for St Helens North previously have "all been similar" but that she is "not cut from that same cloth".

She added: “I am a councillor for Parr for the reason that I was elected but also because I care about this town that has been my home, that I chose to be the home for me and my family.

“I wanted to step out and give back to the community who did so much to me and I love that, and think I can do that more as an MP for St Helens North.

Touching on the personal tragedy that hit her family last year, Bisi added: “I am a grieving mother, my daughter died last year but I decided to run for this role because of everything I have learned about the community of St Helens and also from my experiences in life.

“We’ve got to be the change we want to see. I tell my children that, so I’m living those words as well. If you see something and want to change it, try to do it yourself, and do it for others too.

“I’m a woman, a black woman and a mother – things no previous MP for St Helens North has been.

“As a councillor I walked in the town hall and saw all the previous Mayors – all men until fairly recently and no one who looked like me.

“St Helens is a diverse community with people from all walks of life, experiences and I have seen that first hand.

“I want to represent people and advocate for them, help fight for what we want and fight against the systems currently in place.

I want to fight for the NHS - I know how hard it is to get appointments

“I want to fight for our NHS, as the Tories have decimated it and I know first-hand how hard it is getting appointments for yourself or loved ones, the fact we don’t have an A&E in St Helens, with the closest being Whiston – however some people need help and live further away from there, is there an avenue to expand the hospital at St Helens? I would try and ask for that.

“I fell in love with St Helens because of the people, the people who welcomed me and my family, I love representing Parr and the community and want to help those in all of St Helens North to live happier lives by being their voice, their advocate.

“The vote is open to Labour party representatives only, but I welcome any questions and I am happy to answer them.

“I have a website bisiosundeko.com and there is my number and email on there.

“I’m not shy of the tough questions.”