Come in Handley? Labour selects Ladywell candidate

Lewisham Labour have selected Carl Handley as their candidate for the Ladywell by-election, hoping to hold on to the seat which their candidate Tim Shand resigned. Handley is a familiar figure, having previously served as a Lewisham Councillor for twelve years. They say:

Labour has selected a community activist with a wealth of council experience to fight the Ladywell by-election in Lewisham on November 4th. Carl Handley who has lived in Ladywell Ward for over 30 years is a qualified football referee, a charity minibus driver and a school’s award-winning chair of Governors.

Previously, a Lewisham councillor for 12 years until 2006, Carl represented Ladywell from 2002 and chaired a number of vital council committees . A long-standing chair of Governors at the borough’s Watergate Special Needs School, Carl won Lewisham’s Best Chair of Governors Award in 2009 and is also a serving Governor at Gordonbrock School in Ladywell.

Carl previously ran a local SE London football club for 23 years and is also Vice President for Life of the Southern Sunday Football League . Currently Chair of the charity Lewisham Community Transport, he formerly worked in publishing and now works part - time for a long standing Greenwich-based welfare rights and independent living charity for the disabled.

Carl said: “I am honoured and delighted to be chosen once again to represent the Labour Party here in Ladywell. In these tough times, there are many battles to be fought on behalf of residents here and I am looking forward to being given this chance.”

Chair of Lewisham’s Labour Group Cllr Alan Hall said: “Carl is a champion for children, young people and all of the community. He is a tremendous asset for Lewisham and will be able to put his wealth of experience to good use as a Ladywell councillor."