FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7th April 2026
The Equality Party today announced that one of its members, Ellie Harrison, will be its candidate for the Shirley North ward in Croydon Council’s elections on May 7th. Ellie has lived in Croydon for almost 9 years and has family who have lived in the area for over 20.
Ellie has been a campaigner for equality and inclusion for years. Working at a global animal welfare charity, Ellie is co-chair of the organisation’s LGBTQIA+ Network and works on the Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging working group.
Ellie advocates for all their colleagues as Branch Equalities Officer of the trade union, as well as being part of a number of committees for the London and East of England region. Furthermore, Ellie volunteers at a UK wide LGBTQIA+ listening charity, directing members of the community, their friends, and families to support and resources.
Ellie said:
“Fearmongering, division, and hate are rife in national politics, and the need for the Equality Party has never been more pertinent. Croydon needs councillors who will work for residents, and listen to their concerns to build a Croydon that’s for everyone.
“I’m someone who will speak up for those who have no voice, or who are consistently unheard and ignored. I listen to what people have to say, what they want to change, and what matters to them. I am invested in and care about people, their interests, and concerns. I’m excited to be representing the Equality Party and will bring my passion for advocacy and campaigning to deliver for the people of Croydon.”
Party Leader, Kay Wesley, is a Town Councillor in Cheshire. She said:
“Ellie is a brilliant candidate for Croydon, having already worked to drive equality and inclusion in the local area and nationally. The Equality Party believes that many of the challenges that people face such as poor housing, inadequate public transport, the cost of living, lack of childcare and SEND provision, are the result of local government decision-making which inherently discriminates.
“Other political parties talk about fairness and equality as rather abstract and vague outcomes of their policies. In the Equality Party our approach is to work to actively dismantle the barriers people face in order to create equity, and we have seen that this creates a community in which everyone can thrive.
“We have shown what just one or two Equality Party councillors on a council can achieve, with effective action against domestic abuse and sexual violence, the declaration of a climate emergency, accessibility for disabled people, better bus services, improvements to deprived areas, support for the LGBTQIA+ community and much more.
“I hope the residents of Shirley North will be glad there is a real alternative to the polarised politics we see in the media every day, and know they have a choice.
“It is worth going out to vote for a candidate who will put people before politics. That candidate is Ellie Harrison.”
The Equality Party 