ICI Junction Ward Fundraiser

We are Pat Prendergast, Faith Obiaka-Hayward and Ruth O’Dowd from Islington Community Independents, local residents standing as candidates for Junction Ward in the Islington Council local elections on 7th May 2026.

Our campaign is powered entirely by local volunteers and residents who want a stronger independent voice in Islington Town Hall.

Our pledge

As local people, we are standing to represent our fellow residents. We have been actively speaking to our Junction neighbours about the issues affecting them that are not being addressed by the current council leadership. These include:

 • Homes on the Girdlestone Estate, in Archway Heights and many other areas that are overcrowded and completely unsuitable for the families living there.

•  Issues with repairs to properties with leaks, mould, damp and vermin infestation.  

•  Derelict communal spaces in need of repair and covered in moss and debris. 

•  Substandard communication from housing associations such as Peabody, leaving residents without electricity for days.

•  Residents not receiving equitable treatment.

•  Support for the Defend the Whittington campaign and their petition to keep US tech firm Palantir from having access to patient data.

•  £27million cuts to the Whittington Hospital budget, meaning reduced services & staffing, which are already stretched.

•  Countless reports of drug use and anti-social behaviour impacting residents, while those struggling with addiction and mental health are moved along to another area, rather than receiving the help they need. 

• Locally owned businesses being forced to compete with conglomerates and chains.

• The need to support and protect Archway's local Palestinian Café, Café Metro, as the genocide in Gaza continues.

• Plans for vacant local buildings to be turned into offices, rather than community spaces that are desperately needed.

• Parents & carers who are struggling to have their basic needs met.

Actions we are currently taking:

• Listening to and documenting the stories of residents. 

• Being a voice for ALL residents, and knowing we are stronger together.

• Supporting local campaigns by housing organisations, to demand better conditions.

• Visiting properties and seeing the issues for ourselves, for instance where black mould has been painted over, rather than the council fixing the root cause.

• Alerting sitting councillors to these issues, in order to be a voice for residents.

• Attending council scrutinies.

• Supporting the Say No To Palantir campaign and Defend the Whittington Hospital Coalition.

•  Protesting Palantir and cuts to the Whittington at the Town Hall and in the council chamber.

•  Supporting local businesses and Archway market vendors in the face of increased gentrification. 

•  Solidarity with Café Metro and the people of Palestine

• Working in consultation with local residents to advocate for strong, inclusive education policies.

• Collaborating with our fellow candidates and sitting Independent councillors to build a Parents and Carers union.

Why we need your support

Unlike the national parties, we have no major backers, and running a local election campaign is expensive. Your donation will help us:

•  Print leaflets and posters
 • Organise community meetings and canvassing
 • Reach more residents across Junction Ward
 • Build a people-powered local campaign

Every contribution, large or small, helps strengthen our campaign.

If you can’t donate right now, we would really value your help in volunteering for the campaign, or sharing this page with friends and neighbours.

If you have any questions or are able to help us with leafleting and campaigning, please email us on junctionward4ici@gmail.com

You can find more information about us here: https://islingtonindependents.org/junction-ward 

Thank you so much for your support!