Pensioners’ rights are under attack.  10 million of us are having our winter fuel allowance taken away.  The cap on social care costs has been scrapped.  Our state pension will soon be taxed, thanks to the Personal Allowance being frozen - despite it being one of the lowest in Europe.

We need a strong campaigning voice, and that is why I am standing to represent retired members on Unite's Executive Council.

I am proud that retired members have a voice in our union, but there is still more work to be done to make sure we have a voice at every level of the union and on all issues that affect us. I have the knowledge and experience to make that happen.

• Ensure retired members have a voice on union campaigns that affect us - from pensions to social care and the NHS

• Work with EC members and the General Secretary to secure retired member representation in all parts of the union that affect us, such as equalities committees

• Listen to the views of members from all regions by attending regional coordinating committees where possible and receiving regular reports from regions

• Publish regular national reports available to all members

I have been Chair of the National Retired Members’ Committee for 5 years, the first woman in the role.  In that time, we have:

• Launched a campaign to defend the Winter Fuel Payment

• Kickstarted the 68 Too Late campaign

• Created a retirement manifesto

• Established a website and newsletter for retired members

Fifty years ago I worked at Lucas Automotive. My colleagues elected me as shop steward, but the T&G blocked it because I was black.  In response, the factory downed tools and demanded they be represented by me.  This was my introduction to the union and I have remained a fighter ever since.

In the last ten years of my working life I became the first black woman elected to the EC.  I was instrumental in drawing up the first Rule Book of Unite and also in helping equalities committees to become fully constitutional.

I have represented workers at every level, from shop steward in a multinational company to representing the trade union movement on the European Economic and Social Committee.