Martin Tolman – Labour’s Candidate For Blythe
Martin has lived for most of his life in Solihull and for the last 12 years at Monkspath, at the heart of the Blythe Ward. He is well known for many years of campaigning for, and with, the people of Solihull.
He is probably best known for campaigning to defend our National Health Service for over 30 years. He was a founding member of the Save Solihull Hospital Campaign and now an active member of Solihull Keep Our NHS Public. Professionally he has worked as both a leading community development worker and as the head of the largest emergency planning team outside London.
His experience of emergency management and community organisation has led him to come to the conclusion that the government has consistently failed in almost every aspect of its response to the current Covid-19 crisis.
His campaigning is not limited to defence of the NHS. He is a very active trade unionist who campaigns not only against the Tories’ attack on public services but also against low pay work and zero hours contracts. He continues to demand that Solihull Council and local businesses pay a proper ‘living wage’.
Martin believes another future is possible, one where we, and our children, can look forward to a fairer and more prosperous society. He intends to play a major role to ensure that Solihull Labour Party, working with our local communities, develops a comprehensive plan, A People’s Manifesto For Solihull 2021, to ensure that following Covid-19 we build back better and look after the needs of the many and not just the few.