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WALTHAM FOREST: Jennette Arnold elected as London Assembly chair
Jennette Arnold
Jennette Arnold

JENNETTE Arnold has become the first black woman to be elected as chairwoman of the London Assembly.

The Assembly Member for North East London, which includes Waltham Forest, was born on Montserrat, an island in the Caribbean, where her family-home in Long Ground was destroyed in 1997 by the Souffriere volcano.

Ms Arnold, 59, was elected to the role on Friday.

She said: "It is a great honour to be elected as chair of the London Assembly and particularly to be the first black woman to hold the post.

"This is symbolic of London's greatest strengths - its diversity, tolerance, inclusion and opportunity for all. That opportunity has enabled me, the daughter of migrants to rise to hold one of the highest offices in our great city.

"It's been a long road from Long Ground to City Hall! The occasion brings me special pleasure coming so soon after my role-model and uncle Sir Howard Fergus stood down as speaker of the Montserrat Assembly and as deputy governor.

"I look forward to leading the London Assembly in our key role of holding the Mayor to account for the pledges he has made to London.

"I aim to work with all colleagues who show themselves interested in moving London forward in a progressive way."

Jennette Arnold
Jennette Arnold

Labour politician, Ms Arnold was elected as constituency member for North East London in 2004 and held on to her seat at this year's London Assembly elections.

She has taken over from Sally Hamwee as chair.

In her new role Ms Arnold would chair GLA meetings and Mayor's Question Time, and fulfil some of the Mayor's administrative duties.

10:30am Tuesday 13th May 2008

   

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Posted by: John Delaney, Hainault on 4:18pm Wed 14 May 08
Who cares if she is black. It should be the best person for the job regardless of race.
Posted by: Mr Angry, E4 on 6:00pm Wed 14 May 08
Guess this means that we'll see even less of this self obsessed careerist in Waltham Forest than we do already, and that's not saying much.
Posted by: Mr Codgers, Snaresbrook on 9:43am Thu 15 May 08
3 uses for a Jennette Arnold:

1. Put her at desk with quantity of blank papers so that she looks busy.

2. Take photo's of her
posing and put in Newspapers so that everyone has a slight chance of knowing who she is.

3. Invite to social events so that you can tell everyone someone 'important' is there and keep feeding her sandwiches and cakes so she does not say much.
Posted by: Keith, London on 6:24pm Thu 15 May 08
Congrats i am truly proud of your achievements, and i am also pleased as i am from your island the british colony of Montserrat
Posted by: Kenneth Jeffers, Birmingham on 10:37pm Thu 15 May 08
Congrats, as fellow Montserratian I am pleased to learn of your appointment and proud of your achievements. I have been encouraging other Monserratians to become more involved in the life and politics of their communities. May God bless and keep you safe.
Posted by: Lerena, London on 2:56pm Sat 17 May 08
Congrats on your achievement. You make all Montserratians proud. Keep up the good work. Hope to meet you some day.
Posted by: Mr Codgers, walthamstow on 7:54pm Sat 17 May 08
Lerena wrote:
Congrats on your achievement. You make all Montserratians proud. Keep up the good work. Hope to meet you some day.
Yes but what on earth is she to London? If she was any good she would be standing in Montserrat and help the Country build up again? Pathetic! Is hear for the money and thats it! Usual B locks!
Posted by: Bernadine Collins, Montserrat on 3:51pm Mon 19 May 08
Congratulations! I am really proud of you and wish you all the very best in your new role. Continue to look make us all proud and neverforget the road from which you've travelled.
Posted by: Franklyn Aaron, Birmingham on 10:55pm Mon 19 May 08
Congratulations are in order. It is always good when a fellow Montserratian makes a positive impression. I wish her all success in the future.
Posted by: Kathleen, New York on 11:31pm Mon 26 May 08
Congrats, Ms. Arnold on your achievement. It makes me proud to be a Montserratian and I am glad when you can identify yourself with where you are from. There is a Montserratian in New York who has attained a high title that was in the newspapers, but he never mentioned where he was from. Thank God, you never forgot where you came from.
Posted by: Carolyn Weekes, Boston, USA on 3:11am Thu 26 Jun 08
Congratulations!! I wish you the best in your new role. Remember to always do your best so that at the end of the day you can look in the mirror and know that you did your best. Remember that there are hateful people in this world so.. never forget where you come from and always ask God for Guidance in all your decision making processes. May God keep you safe and have mercy on us all. Thank you London for doing the right thing. I pray that Ms.Arnold talents will be utilized to the utmost and that this is not just a political move. As I read the comments it concerns me to read the hateful comments. Take care and be all you can be.
Posted by: Elvira Farrell, Yonkers - NY on 1:52pm Thu 26 Jun 08
Ms. Lady. After reading all the comments both negative and positive I can see you have your work cut out for you. As a fellow Montserratian, a black woman and spending time in London, I say "Good Luck and God Bless, I know you will do your best".
Posted by: Cuthbert Joseph, Dominica, WI on 5:50am Fri 27 Jun 08
I am also proud of Ms. Arnold's achieveement.Her success is indicative of how what hard work and perseverance can lead to great success. The negative comments ought not to dissuade her but instead serve as stepping stones to propel her to higher heights. Besides,as they say, "if you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen". May God bless you as you do what you do "as unto the Lord".
Posted by: Daphne, San Francisco, CA on 8:02pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Ms. Arnold, I am so very proud of you for your accomplishments. I am even more filled with pride to be a Montserratian. You were appointment.... Chairwoman of the London Assembly...you & the UK have come a long way! We (your supporters) can all see that this will be a challenging position for you so myself & I am sure many others, will keep you & your family in our prayers. Do not let the ignorance & hatred of people like Mr. Codgers & Mr Angry sway you in the path that God has laid out for you. Just remember that, "Who God Blesses No Man Curse!" I am just sorry that this email is just reaching this side of the world for more of us to show our support...but better late than never.
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