The Richmond Park Labour Party is backing Laura Coryton MBE as its parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park and North Kingston. 

Laura led the petition against what she coins the “unfair and sexist tampon tax”, which successfully lobbied the UK government into establishing the ‘Tampon Tax Fund’, through which almost £100m was donated to female-focused organisations. Her campaign eventually ended tampon tax in 2021, saving consumers £15m annually, and she now supports sister petitions around the world from Japan to the USA. 

She is also the author of ‘Speak Up!’, a campaign guide for girls, published by Harper Collins in 2019 and founded an award-winning educational social enterprise focused on empowering young people. 

Labour’s campaign to win Richmond Park and North Kingston with will centre on Labour’s plan to deliver a decade of national renewal following 14 years of decline under the Conservative Party. 

The Labour Party says this election is about change. A chance to stop the endless Conservative chaos that has directly harmed the finances of every family in Britain. A moment where we can turn the page on a set of ideas that, over 14 years, have consistently left us more vulnerable in an increasingly volatile world. And an opportunity to begin the work of national renewal. A rebuilding of our country, so that it once again serves the interests of working people.

In a speech to constituents and Labour activists, Coryton set out her first steps for the local area, which include: 

• Open Hammersmith Bridge, which Richmond’s Liberal Democrat MP and the Conservative Government have failed to deliver. 

• Tackle rising rates of violence against women and girls by working with the Government to deliver tougher sentences for crimes which disproportionately impact women and tackling low conviction rates. 

• Fix our local NHS; reduce waiting times and improve access to dentists and GPs. 

• Build affordable homes so our young people can stay in the area and raise families in Richmond. 

• Equip our schools with the teachers they need to thrive and give young people the opportunities they need. 

Locally, one of her biggest priorities is getting Hammersmith bridge open. It’s clear our current local Liberal Democrat MP and Conservative government have failed to resolve the wrangling over funding. In contrast, Rachel Reeves has already committed to working with Sadiq Khan on the restoration project. This, combined with a strong local Labour MP, would guarantee the reopening of this historic and vital bridge as soon as possible. The closure of the bridge has served to highlight the increasingly acute traffic problems which choke many roads in the constituency and surrounding area. These will only be made worse by the many building developments due to take place around the area.

Another big priority for her will be to ensure that no developers change our community without listening to and respecting local views. The Mortlake Brewery redevelopment scandal is a perfect example of why we need a Labour MP to hold our current Liberal Democrat-run council to account and stop them from caving in to what developers want rather than the local people. They have passed several proposals to turn the historic Mortlake Brewery into hundreds of luxury flats, which would only congest our roads and impose onto our green spaces, and fail to provide the affordable homes we badly need. Sadiq Khan has been the only politician to intervene and block these plans. You need a Labour MP able to stand up to the council alongside the Mayor to protect our local spaces and ensure any development we welcome is designed to enhance the local community, not exploit it.

Laura Coryton, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park and North Kingston with said:
“After years of enduring a failed Tory government, it’s time residents voices are heard.

“Through my years of campaigning for equality, exemplified through the tampon tax campaign, I’ve learnt how much good an MP can make. I’m determined to deliver a strong voice in government for Richmond Park and North Kingston. 

 “Labour needs every seat possible to end Tory chaos and give the UK a government which delivers stability and security. In the recent May elections, Labour won more votes than the Liberal Democrats in the South West Constituency by thousands, both for the Mayoral candidate and the assembly. This proves Labour has strong support here.

“Under the leadership of Keir Starmer, the Labour party is back in the service of the working people. Keir Starmer’s Labour government will be mission-led, focusing on our five priorities: tackling crime, breaking down barriers of opportunity, rebuilding the NHS, and switching on Great British Energy.

“The people of Richmond Park need a Labour government nationally, and a Labour MP locally. One who will always put them first and fight on their behalf.

“If elected, I will always put my constituents and community first. I will be a truly local MP, one who always has the best interests of my residents in mind.

“I am honoured to use my experience campaigning to make a positive difference, and to fight for every vote across this constituency until polling day.”
 

Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, said:

“This is a chance to change Richmond Park with Labour”.

“Over the course of the last four years, we have changed the Labour Party and returned it once more to the service of working people”.

“All we ask now, humbly, is to do exactly the same for our country. And return Britain to the service of working people. A vote for Labour is a vote for economic and political stability, an end to Conservative chaos, and a long-term plan to rebuild Britain.”