My passion lays with social & climate justice, this has fuelled a lifetime of activism, from representing members as a trade union officer in the railway industry for over 20 years to becoming active in main stream politics, chairing local women committees and the legal justice system to most recently campaigning in local elections.

Full statement

"I truly understand the needs of my constituency. I have lived here since early childhood. I am raising my children here. I work here."

More about the candidate. Thirza Amina Asanga-Rae is a Nigeria born UK national. A Parent Governor at a local primary school where she also set up the PTA. As a Housing Community Organiser with GMTU, she has seen first hand the housing crisis we face. Working in the railway industry she has decades of experience of the failing austerity in the transport sector. She co-founded a charity that seeks to stop the school to prison pipeline that young people face in inner cities. She focuses on the next generation as the key holders of tomorrow, and serves to be the representative for the next generation politicians.

Ms Asanga-Rae also holds other Executive and Directorships roles in UK: ■ Moss Side Hulme Community Development Trust ■ New Wave Trust ■ Central Association of Nigerians UK (CANUK) ■ Awera women’s league UK ( AWLUK)