Ciaran Henderson   |   Communications

Here is a speech I had hoped to contribute to the Britain in the World debate – but unfortunately I didn’t get chosen for what turned out to be one of the most hotly contested line-up of speakers from the floor..

Good Morning Conference!

This week we have heard both our own Ministers and leaders of European sister parties, commend the work which our Prime Minister, and our Labour Government have achieved on the International Stage.

Our leading role in Europe enables us to shape and share the vision of a united, empowered, economic and social Union, which has the collective power to influence global trade, policy and wider co-operation. A vision which is underpinned by the only legally binding system of Human Rights in the world!

I have a special relationship with America because my sister, father and Guyanese cousins live there – and so I was delighted for them when it sterted to look like a black American might lead their nation, I was delighted for America when they elected him to office, and I was delighted for the world when Barack Obama stood forward with the conviction to rewrite the rules, and prioritise innovation, international co-operation and equality of opportunity. Priorities that I know are shared by every person here today.
Our Labour values are not limited to improving the conditions of the most unfortunate here in Britain – we work for an improvement in the lives of all those around the world who suffer daily from scarcity of resources. Scarcity caused by unequal levels of development – and scarcity caused by natural disasters, as our global climate changes.

So I welcome legislation for 0.7% to be spent on International Development, and I wholeheartedly support our government’s pledge for Copenhagen, but Conference, it is not only our Carbon Footprint which we need to think about.

Millions of people around the world do not have access to safe, clean, drinking water. Water scarcity is one of the effects of climate change which we do not have to imagine – it is with us today.

Therefore, I urge you all to think about your Water Footprint. This is not simply the amount of water you use to brush your teeth and run a bath – but also the 90% of global freshwater consumed by agriculture. When we import produce from water scarce countries, WE are drinking their water. Yet the good news is, your informed consumer choice can change this.

So from now on.. Watch Your Water Footprint!!

This afternoon I attended a policy forum with Secretaries of State for Defence, International Development and Foreign Affairs.

The debate was very broad, from Trident and Iranian nuclear proliferation, to humanitarian aid.

I was very lucky to be selected to ask Douglas Alexander and David Miliband whether their aims for international cooperation and dispute resolution are realised in supporting international river basin states to work together to promote regional cohesion and optimal management of water based resources.

The answer I received was very encouraging, with examples given from both Egypt and Ethiopia sharing the Nile, and Bangladesh receiving its waters from the Himalayas.

I shall have to dig deeper into these policy measures and achievements – hopefully on the DfID website.

Here I am with some other bright young things, welcoming the Prime Minister as he arrived to make his leader’s speech today.

My fantastic mum tracked it down on the iPlayer, so I’ve been able to capture the moment for posterity!

The Camden Labour selection process is underway, for candidates to stand in the local elections in May 2010. I thought about standing in my ward, but have now chosen to prioritise study over politics.

After Theo’s sudden withdrawal from the selection process, we conducted a very highly contested selection meeting last night. Eventually selected were existing Councillors Nash & Heather, and new candidate Tulip Siddiq.

This morning I went along to Camden Town Hall, for an interview to join the panel of approved prospective Labour Councillors for election in 2010.

I was pleased to hear that they liked what I had to say, and I have been successful in joining the panel. Now I must see if I can actually be selected as an election candidate for one of the Camden Wards.

Today was the Regents Park Labour ward AGM, where branch officers are elected. Our esteemed chair Nick Smith has recently been selected as Parliamentary Candidate for Blaenau Gwent, and was no longer available to continue in the post. I had spoken to Nick last week, and he suggested I put myself forward – but I wasn’t sure how well I’d be received as I’ve only been involved for under a year.

As it turned out the branch secretary Maggie nominated me without my saying anything, and the only other person nominated stood down in my favour.

I am very honoured to have been elected as Regents Park Labour Ward Chair, I will do my best to stimulate the branch in debate and campaigning, and to uphold the interests of the local area that I so love.

Listening to Jonathan Ross on Radio 2 today, I heard him discussing politics with his guest Richard Wilson, who I always loved in the hilarious role of Victor Meldrew. He was on the show because of his current play, Whipping It Up, based around the concept of an opposition party winning the next election by 1 vote. In which case it would be the whips vote to ensure everyone voted in support of their party leaders.

It turned out that both Jonathan Ross, in the distant past and Richard Wilson, to this day, have been strong supporters of the Labour Party. In fact, the thought of a young Jonathan, knocking on people’s doors and spreading his ideals, has finally tipped the balance in favour of joining myself. Luckily I was able to join The Labour Party online, and I’m very much looking forward to getting involved when I return to London. With any luck, I will be able to get involved in Ken’s GLA, as he was the reason I started thinking about politics.