A strong Labour voice
...for Rossendale & Darwen
I have lived in Rossendale for 19 years. My family have our roots deep within the community. I work here, I run community projects here, I'm a councillor here and most importantly, I know the people here. You will see me at the school gates, you will see me out litter picking, at the local farmers market, you will see me enjoying a drink in the pub with friends. I am without a doubt in the fabric of this community.
I'm a proud values driven Labour member; I am a member of Unison and Community unions. I have undertaken the Future Candidates Programme and was on the Jo Cox Women in Leadership scheme. I am now on the training team for Labour Women’s Network. I believe in honesty, integrity, fairness, justice and equality
Watch my campaign video
Life outside of politics
I live in Rossendale with my husband, two daughters and two dogs. I enjoy going camping, walking and listening to 90's music.
Work
I was a front line worker for a children’s charity for nearly 10 years. I specialised in managing services for people who were homeless and for Care experienced young people. I now work for the same charity but ‘in the back office’ ensuring that the staff have good working conditions and are happy in their roles.
Community
I co-run Safer Rossendale; a community project designed to create safe venues across the borough that people can access if they don’t feel safe. I also set up Haslingden Food Box, Haslingden and Helmshore Mutual Aid group and Rossendale Red Box Project. Im also proud to be a governor at a local primary school.
Volunteering
I am a member of Haslingden and Helmshore Civic pride and go out litter picking on a regular basis. I volunteer at a local Parkrun with my youngest daughter. On a national basis, I am a peer mentor for TB Alert and im also on the exec committee of UKAPTB.
Council
I am the Chair of the licensing committee and Young Persons Champion for Rossendale Borough council. For Lancashire County Council, I am on the shadow cabinet for Children and Families and sit on the Children’s Services, Education and Skills scrutiny committee.
Campaigning
From leading local campaigns that have seen speed calming measures introduced to national campaigns that have seen government policy change, I have relentless determination to get the best results for those who I have represented.
I have a broad range of campaign interests and that is because, the people I represent have broad range of needs.
I am known for my campaign work on Making Misogyny a Hate Crime, making the Right to Food enshrined in law, a fairer funding formula for maintained nursery schools, making menstrual products available in education settings, financial support during the cost of living crisis, better SEND provision, support for self employed people during Covid and many more.
Testimonials
Abdul Sattar Khan
““ I have known Samara for a number of years, having had productive meetings to address the concerns of residents. She has visited the mosque and has shown a proactive interest in involving not only faith but also other minority groups in all aspects of community interaction. In an era of virtue signalling and people undertaking good deeds for their own popularity and selfish interests, Samara has been refreshingly different. Her outstanding quality is her sincerity. She spends a large amount of time away from the public eye, actively involved in and working hard to try and resolve the issues faced by the community. I have not met anyone else who is more suited for a role of Councillor and an MP. She is highly regarded, trusted, dedicated, devoted, sincere, formidable when needed, empathetic, sympathetic representative who his proud of her Haslingden links. She has my support and I know from my conversations with others, that of people from every community group in Haslingden. ”
Clegg Bamber MBE
““ Samara has been an advocate for the community since I've known her. From her involvement in the Red Box Project, fully supporting the legal campaign, and galvanising support from her local community. Since the Red Box Project ended, following the success of the legal campaign, Samara's drive and determination to help those most in need hasn't stopped. From setting up the food support networks, Haslingden Food Box, to becoming a councillor and being vocal on local issues at the district and county levels. No matter what the challenge is - Samara is always driven and passionate about achieving the outcomes people deserve. Samara will make an excellent MP for Rossendale & Darwen and will continue to strive for the best outcomes for the community. ”
Emma Gladwinfield
““ I believe Samara holds all the qualities to make a good, honest politician who will do her best for the people of Rossendale and Darwen. She is extremely hardworking and motivated and won’t stop until a challenge has been completed. She has set up and led multiple community projects from the Red Box project providing free sanitary wear for young people at schools, the Haslingden Food Box, the local Haslingden Community COVID Response Group and more recently Safer Rossendale aiming to provide safe places for people who may be in need. In her role as a councillor for Lancashire county council and Rossendale council she goes above and beyond- spending a lot of her own time meeting her constituents, signposting and emailing people on their behalf. Samara manages all this plus working for a children’s charity and nurturing her own family. What’s different with Samara compared to some politicians is that she will listen, she will care, she will actively make a change and do all this with integrity. ”
Karen Douglas
““ I’ve known Samara for some years and have witnessed first-hand her numerous achievements and how she looks after her community with fierce determination. Samara is kind, passionate, vocal, knowledgeable, focussed, principled, committed and proactive. She’s a councillor because she wants the best for her constituency, not to see her name in lights. She’s well known (and loved) locally because she gets out and about, listens and acts. She’s prepared to stand up for what’s right on behalf of those who would otherwise struggle, and to stick with a project or issue until it’s resolved. For me she’s a breath of fresh political air and a genuinely lovely person. I have no hesitation in recommending her to you. ”
Peter Sweetmore
““ Samara has proved to be an absolute stalwart in promoting and supporting Community issues and projects across our Valley and is a totally committed Labour member, having achieved both Local and County Councillor Status. She has very strong views and will 'fight her beliefs' steadfastly and with utter conviction. She has proved to her constituents that if she says she will take something up on their behalf, she will follow it through to the end. She involves herself with many Community initiatives and manages to balance her workload with her family commitments. As a potential MP for our Valley, she would most certainly prove to be an absolute asset to our Community, representing us with confidence and trust. ”
Rachel Weinhold
““ I am really proud and pleased that Samara is putting herself forward for selection to be the Labour candidate for Rossendale and Darwen. Samara is a fierce and determined woman who is passionate about politics and her local community. Samara has proved over the last few years that she believes in ‘deeds, not words’. I fully believe that Samara will work hard for the needs of the Rossendale and Darwen residents and will champion our community tirelessly. She is exactly the kind of person politics needs more of. ”