Natasha Osben

Dr Natasha Osben   (politician)
I am proud to have been selected to represent the Green Party and to have the opportunity to represent the people of the Clacton constituency.
Party	Labour, Green Party of England and Wales

Natasha Osben is a British politician who stood as the Labour Party candidate for Clacton in the UK/2017 General Election.

Having resigned from the Labour Party in 2019, Dr Natasha Osben joined the Green Party of England and Wales and has been selected to stand as the party's candidate at the Clacton constituency in the July 2024 General election, where – of nine candidates including Nigel Farage and Giles Watling – she is the only female. On 3 June 2024, Dr Osben said:

"The people of Clacton deserve better than to be used as a springboard for career politicians like Farage.

"Nigel Farage has stood – and failed – seven times to gain election as an MP. He may see the Clacton constituency as an easy way in to Parliament but he doesn’t represent us, and his party offers nothing new.

"The Greens are the only party offering credible solutions to the real problems that residents of Clacton face every day. We are promising voters real change, and real hope for a fairer, greener future."

Green Party candidate

Vote Green in Clacton on July 4th

Dr Natasha Osben's 2024 statement to voters:

I have lived in the Clacton constituency my whole life and know the area well. I have recently completed a PhD in Government at the University of Essex, where my research focused on matters of social justice.

Some of you may remember that in the 2017 General Election I was the Labour Party candidate in the Clacton constituency, however, in 2019 I joined the Green Party as I strongly believe it is the only party that is genuinely committed to bringing about the changes our country needs.

The Green Party promises to make a real change to the way that politics is done in our country, so that the Government works for the people and not only for the interests of the establishment; as a Green Party candidate I am deeply committed to developing and implementing the policies that are necessary for us to avert the impending climate crisis, and to ensure a just and fair society for all. I am also supportive of a change to the way our voting system works in England and a move to proportional representation; I believe that this reformation of the voting system is necessary so that the election of our government is more democratic.

If I am elected as the MP for Clacton I will be working in the constituency and available for residents to contact. I will work hard to get to know my constituents and to raise any issues for you, not only in Parliament, but also in any matters you may need assistance with locally.

A general election is coming on July 4th and - now more than ever - we need change. This is what I am standing for. I am proud to have been selected to represent the Green Party, and to have the opportunity to represent the people of Clacton constituency. If you have any questions or want to get in touch, you can contact me on natasha.osben@votegreen.uk. I look forward to hearing from you! Best wishes, Natasha.

2017 General election

Former Conservative–then UKIP–then Independent MP, Douglas Carswell, having withdrawn from the contest, left Natasha Osben with two main opponents: Tory Giles Watling and UKIP's Paul Oakley.

Giles Watling was elected with 27,031 votes, Tasha Osben came second on 11,203 and Paul Oakley third with 3,357 votes. The remaining five candidates secured fewer than 1,000 votes each.

Brexit

Explaining Labour's position on Brexit

In a June 2017 video, Tasha Osben explained:

When I’m out on the doorstep a question I’m frequently asked is, ‘where is Labour’s position on Brexit, and where do you stand on Immigration?’

I’m making this video so that my answers to these questions will be available and accessible to all who have access to the internet.

In terms of Brexit, the Labour Party will end Theresa May’s reckless ‘bull in a china shop’ approach to these negotiations. We will seek to secure a good deal for Britain out of leaving the EU. We reject Theresa May’s assertion that no deal is better than a bad deal. For us, no deal and a bad deal are unacceptable. We cannot trust TM to go into these negotiations on our behalf. She claims to be strong and stable, yet at every single point has shown nothing but weakness and instability. We cannot trust a woman who has U-turned on every policy she has ever claimed to support and who has buckled and crumbled under the pressure of public scrutiny and criticism on her own manifesto pledges, less than a week after making them. TM does not have the strength to go head to head with Jeremy Corbyn in a televised debate. She does not have the conviction to stand by her own manifesto policies when up against criticism from the public. How on earth can we trust her to lead the negotiations o our behalf?

The Labour Party is dedicated and committed to securing a good deal for Britain out of Brexit. We will introduce legislation and ensure there are no gaps in security and criminal justice as a result of Brexit. We will ensure that our farmers are protected and that they are able to retain their export relationship with the EU, and we will ensure that we retain our leading research position by seeking to stay a part of Horizon 2020.

Rigged for the Rich

Tasha Osben's message to Clacton voters:

The system is rigged for the rich. And when we say 'the rich' we don't mean middle income earners, nor are we referring to those in the top 5% who earn more than £80,000 and will be taxed a little more under Labour, we mean the super-rich: the top 1% who the Conservatives have given tax breaks to totalling billions of pounds that could have been going into the economy.

While they have hacked away at our NHS, imposed a pay cap on public sector workers and made budget cuts that have made us all worse off, Theresa May and her government are taking money from hard-working tax payers and putting it in the pocket of millionaires.

Think about it, and in June, vote for the party that will make us ALL richer. Vote for the PEOPLE, not the powerful. Topple this rigged establishment: Vote Labour.

Message to Clacton CLP

On 2 May 2017, Tasha Osben addressed the members of Clacton Constituency Labour Party:

"Hi all,

"I am delighted to let you know that I have been selected as our parliamentary candidate.

"I have written the following statement for the papers and I promise each and every one of you that I will work tirelessly on my election campaign over the coming month. Those of you who I do not know well, I really look forward to getting to know better as I represent you as your parliamentary candidate for Clacton and as we work together to get a Labour government back in parliament, and those of you I know well, I look forward to working even more closely with over the next few weeks.

“The Clacton constituency is my home; I grew up in St Osyth and now I live in Weeley and have three children who all go to school in the area. I am very proud to represent Labour in this general election.

"I have watched with shock and dismay as the cuts brought in by this Conservative government have had a direct and catastrophic impact on our local health and social care services and our emergency services, which are now drastically underfunded and understaffed. These cuts are unsafe and place our residents at risk. Today Labour pledged to put 10,000 more police officers on the streets, which will be funded by a reversal of the capital gains tax. I am proud to stand for a party, which is serious about putting public services first and reversing the damaging budget cuts that have been overseen in recent years by our Tory-led council and Conservative government.

"Conservative budget cuts are also having a direct impact on our schools, and this is not sustainable. Our children deserve a quality education that will ensure good access to opportunities and prospects for their futures. I am proud to be standing as Labour’s parliamentary candidate so that I can make this pledge to you: If I am elected as your MP for Clacton, as part of a Labour government, I will ensure that our schools are properly funded and that no children are left behind. Currently our children are having their futures stolen by a government who have cut the funding needed to ensure that schools meet our expectations for standards and are adequately staffed so that students can fulfil their potential. Labour must, and will, put a stop to this shameful policy of taking from the next generation to fix the current problems with our economy brought about by increasing privatisation and cuts that this Conservative government have brought in that has seen our National Debt more than triple to levels that far exceed any amount of borrowing or debt that this country has ever seen under any Labour Government.

"The Conservatives promised to fix our economy, to protect our NHS and to look after hard working members of society. They have failed on all fronts, having tripled national debt, brought our NHS to its knees and forced hundreds of thousands of working families into poverty, and millions of people to the food banks. This is a shameful mark on our recent history. Now we have an opportunity to hold the Tory government to account for this failure and call them out on their lies and broken promises. I therefore urge you to vote for me to be your MP in June, and cast your vote for the benefit of all, not just for the privileged few.

"I have been inspired by the unity and hard work I have seen from our members over the campaign for the County Council Elections this Thursday. Now let's continue to work together in an endeavour we can all really get behind; to kick the Tories out of Parliament!

"All the very best, Tasha."

Letter to postal voters

Tasha Osben voter in Walton-on-the-Naze

Over the 20/21 May 2017 weekend, Tasha Osben addressed a letter individually to thousands of postal voters which was hand-delivered by scores of Clacton CLP members:

"This is an important election. I read the Conservative manifesto today and it is deeply troubling. The Tories will hit pensioners hard - the Triple Lock on pensions will go along with universal winter fuel payments. Children will be affected as well with plans to end free school meals for infants. From cradle to grave the Tories are threatening to make us all worse off. Bizarrely, they are still trying to bring back foxhunting, despite this being opposed by the vast majority of the public.

"The government have their priorities wrong. They have chosen to cut inheritance tax for the wealthiest and are taking away the inheritance of the working classes by seizing the property of our elderly to pay for social care. The Conservatives have chosen to cut corporation tax and are planning to finance their giveaway to the rich by taking from the hard-working tax-payer and from the elderly who have worked all their lives for a decent retirement. It does not have to be like this. There is another way.

"As we leave the EU, the Tories have the wrong vision for our future. However, Labour are offering an alternative future where we may all be better off. Labour will put money back into our NHS and bring it back into public ownership. Labour will guarantee no tax increases for 95% of the population and will guarantee the Triple Lock for pensioners, as well as protecting the universal winter fuel allowance and bus passes. Labour will fund our schools and invest in our education, development of skills, and the creation of industry and jobs in our area. Labour will bring back grants for higher education and bursaries for student nurses and midwives. Labour will reverse the 1% pay cap and increase the minimum wage. Only by investing in our future can we build an economy that will deliver for all.

"There is plenty to be done in our area. Elect me on June 8th to be your voice in Parliament and stand up for the changes we need to see in our constituency."

Yours sincerely,

Tasha Osben

Labour candidate for Clacton

Not a career politician

On her Facebook page, Tasha Osben wrote:

One of my most frequently asked questions is, "why haven't I heard of you before now?". The answer is simple: I am not a career politician.

When I have fed homeless people, donated to food banks, campaigned against the closure of our maternity and Minor Injuries services, attended CCG meetings to oppose cuts to our healthcare services, been fundraising for mental health charities (clearly set up long before the General Election was ever called), volunteering with a confidential listening and advice charity etc, I've not taken a selfie and posted it on social media to get credit for it.

I am aware people want to know their candidates though so that is why I am holding an open office hour every single week-day for people to have the chance to come and get to know me. I am in the Clacton CLP office (52 Meredith Road CO15 3AG) Monday to Friday, 9am to 10am, all are welcome to come along and ask any questions you may have.

For a bit of background, I grew up here, went to St Osyth Primary School and 1st St Osyth Scouts, I had my children at Colchester Hospital, I studied politics at the University of Essex and I've lived in the area my whole life - now living in Weeley, which is in the Clacton constituency.

I am standing because I'm sick of seeing our country run into the ground, our NHS destroyed, and hard-working people like you and me struggling to make ends meet. I've had enough of suits who talk the talk but are only in it to serve themselves. We need a change. We need more ordinary hard-working members of society in politics to represent workers and families; people who actually care.

My chances of getting elected with Labour in Clacton might not be great, but I've got to try. I love my country and I can't just sit by and watch the Tories destroy the economy and our public services and force more and more hard-working people into poverty.

 

Related Document

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Document:Who should hold the next prime minister to account? Our best hope lies with the Green party	Article	12 June 2024	George Monbiot	The Green party has a chance of winning six seats in this election – Brighton Pavilion, where former party leader Caroline Lucas is standing down, Birkenhead, Bristol Central, Clacton, North Herefordshire, and Waveney Valley. If you live in one of these constituencies and wish to evict the Tories, this is the most effective way to use your vote.

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