Victoria Collins

Standing to be Vice President for the Liberal Democrats

Victoria is the candidate to deliver on diversity

The Vice President role has been hard-won by key campaigners as a role dedicated to champion diversity and increase engagement with ethnic minority communities at various levels across the party. This role is now more important than ever. Here are a few of the reasons I’m standing and what I’d aim to bring to the role.

Bringing the experience to engage and make an impact

As the first Lib Dem MP of East & South East Asian heritage, I understand the struggles and challenges of standing for office and I’m already working to unlock them. I understand what support is given and where we can do better. As the patron of the Chinese and East and South East Asian Lib Dems, I’m proud of the work been done to elect great candidates. I aim to bring my experience of standing for election at various levels, and campaigning support for ethnic minority candidates. I was extremely proud that our local party even won the Dadabhai Naoroji Award which is awarded to the local party doing the most to promote ethnic minority participants to elected office as Councillors, Assembly Members or Members of Parliament.

Breaking down barriers, working beyond the party

It was great people at the Chinese, East and South East Asian Liberal Democrats who first helped me to understand what it would take to stand for Parliament and have been with me all the way. It’s been a real honour campaigning for diverse communities across the UK and helping get diverse candidates elected and encouraging others to stand.

We must keep reaching beyond our party and attracting great talent if we’re to make real inroads to improve representation within the party. As an MP, and experience working in charity and business previously I would leverage our networks for more impact.

A campaigner working across the party

It’s vital to me that we work right across the party empowering campaigners who have already been working for years to improve diversity in the party. I’ve already engaged with Lib Dem organisations and would continue to do so as Vice President. Last conference I also spoke about the work needed following the Alderdice report.

We must also work on all levels, all local parties to truly empower and support Diversity Officers, membership officer, local chairs and beyond. That also includes working with ALDC and campaign teams to make sure we’re thinking about diversity at all stages.

A plan for change

To deliver on diversity I know we need a plan which brings about real change. I believe the Vice President must work to by bringing groups together, getting the resources and recognition they deserve as well as pushing for action from decision makers.

Bring people together - We already have many great people and organisations (both Lib Dem and beyond) who are driving outreach and work. I would bring them together regularly to be a stronger force for change.

Secure resources and empower - I’d use my experience as an MP and campaigner to get the people and finances needed for key projects as well as working with decision-makers

Celebrate and hold to account - I would use the role to help celebrate our successes, share best practices but also to hold leadership to account where they go wrong. If we don’t measure it, we don’t treasure it - and I’ll keep measuring our impact.

Put people at the heart of it - Most importantly this is about people. Our candidates and our communities. Our current and future leaders, teams and candidates from across multiple ethnicities and backgrounds must be at the heart of what I do.

“I want to ensure that the same opportunity is available for all who seek it out, and I will continue to be guided by those values of community, tolerance and perseverance” Maiden Speech

The year I was first elected to Parliament was exactly 50 years since my mum had come the UK from Malaysia. Since then she raised a family, started a business. In my maiden speech I highlighted that I wanted to ensure others have the same opportunities. I feel standing for Vice President is the natural next step in

Endorsements

  • Ying Tong-Perrett

    Chair of the Chinese, East and South East Asian Lib Dems

  • Roderick Lynch

    Chair of Lib Dem Campaign for Race Equality

  • Chris French

    Chair, Racial Diversity Campaign

  • Bobby Dean

    MP for Carshalton & Wallington

  • Merlene Emerson

    Co-founder of Chinese Lib Dems

  • Monica Harding

    MP for Esher and Walton, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (International Development

  • Will Forster

    MP for Woking

  • Marguerita Morton

    Chinese, East and South East Asian Lib Dems

  • Anna Sabine

    MP for Frome and East Somerset

  • Zoe Franklin

    MP for  Guildford

  • Calvin Chong

    Lib Dem Town Cllr

  • Jess Brown Fuller

    MP for Chichester