That Incredible Day: Gracing The Green Benches!

Kashmire Hawker • 4 November 2022

On the day which the UK Youth Parliament return to the Green Benches, I reflect on my day part of it in 2014 in the first of a new series!

Friday November 14th 2014, saw an eyewatering awaking time of 3:55am, for a fairly busy 17-year-old in Year 12; for what became one of my most humbling experiences of my life, in gracing the most famous, and slightly tardy set of Green Benches in the world.


The run-up to that day undeniably began on February 29th 2012 – the day which not only saw the world famous Carvers burst into flames of which shook our City, but also saw me be invited to join Wolverhampton City Youth Council, after unsuccessfully at just 14 years young running to be a Member of the UK Youth Parliament.


Even if 2012 was a no from our young Electorate and 2013 saw me be Elected a Deputy Youth MP; making me someone at that moment inches outside the room where I aspired to be, April 3rd 2014 saw me book that trip to Westminster 7 months later, having been declared to have been victorious in an Election in a poll of 9,084 11-18 year olds in a poll of 14 candidates; totals only beaten earlier this year and of which shows the immense strength of youth representation here.


Back to nearly 8 years ago and after showering, having three pieces of whatever it was on toast, seeing BBC Red Button having “Youth Parliament to gather in Commons” as its 4th story and getting into a Black Suit with a light purple shirt and silver tie, the longevity of a 05:55am taxi from home and the 06:45am Virgin Trains service to London Euston – of which my phone’s battery suffered to my musical taste, made that morning feel “hell” as I bluntly put it, knowing where I was heading!


Despite a minor soaking when arriving at The Palace of Westminster for 09:15am due to typical November rain, myself, fellow Wolverhampton MYP Arnold Majecha of whom I hope is well and Youth Worker Andrew Scragg all arrived looking forward to a day that was fascinating more than anything else. The beauty of the building in question sprung out from door to door.


After an hour’s wait with fellow MYP’s in Westminster Hall, the West Midlands team headed into the box that is the Commons Chamber at around 10:25am and it is an understatement to say it’s size doesn’t isn’t best reflected on broadcast media! The smallness, plus camera’s and microphones all spread makes it quite a cosy and warm arena to be within.


After a briefing by the Doorkeepers, Mr Speaker made his way in at just before 11am, where he welcomed us, before opening remarks via a letter from the Prime Minister read by now Reading Councillor and lovely human in Eleanor Emberson, then Leader of the House William Hague - whose one of the finest speakers to ever hear in public and from then Backbench Business Committee Natasha Engel.


Following that was a solemn and very moving set of tributes to mark the 100th Anniversary of the start of The First World War before a Minute’s Silence; a moment of which sent a strong shiver down my spine and really kicked in the reality of where I was and being part of an opportunity just a century before was under threat by the evil in our midst’s.


It was on to the Debates; which were chosen by a then record 876,488 Make Your Mark ballots and then totalled around 14.8% of the UK's 11–18-year-old population. And two were held before lunch, the first being on the Living Wage which was sublimely kicked-off by Birmingham’s Vikram Patel and ended with one of the quotes of the day by Liverpool’s Ciara Brodie that “Happy Meals won’t be so happy when they are a fiver!” My natural nerves had struck so I didn’t try and be called first time round, even if there was an opportunity for my side of the chamber to have someone called which no one took. That showed the magnitude of the location we were in.


Debate two was on the longstanding campaigning topic of A Curriculum to Prepare us for Life, moved excellently by Derbyshire’s Lucy Boardman and at this point saw most members from all places trying to catch the eye through was frequently described as “Wild gesticulation!” by the Speaker – which included not just arms but a toy owl in the final debate and books to name a few things.


A fellow Sheffield Hallam Graduate in Simran Jandu of Wakefield, impeccably wrapped up the Living Wage debate by Quoting Drake’s lyrics of we “Started from the bottom, now we're here” which caused even a smile to flicker across elected Member’s of the House in presence.


Following a much needed packed lunch and making good use of plug sockets in Westminster; to both charge up and send gleeful WhatsApp messages to folk, Debate Three’s and Four on Work Experience and Careers Advice and Mental Health Services, of which the latter had a commitment by the hugely respected Minister Norman Lamb – then Member for North Norfolk for a meeting with all those who contributed to that topic’s proceedings and of which had some truly outstanding speeches, which reflects the need every day to improve services.


The final debate before voting on which became UKYP’s 2015 campaign’s was on Votes at 16 and in my mind, saw me both be robbed but impressed at exactly the same moment. Upon Mr Speaker calling for a West Midlands contribution, I jumped like a leopard “balling” “Mr Speaker! Mr Speaker” as loud as my voice can go.


The problem was, just as I thought I would finally strike gold, he informed all that Hazeem Arif of Warwickshire – right next to me during the Afternoon session, has sent a letter prior to the day, with an individual request that he got called in the said debate.


One inside felt utterly horrified, but my only show of that was me slapping my right leg as I sat back down and then I leaned back into the sound system behind me to hear what were powerful remarks, summed up by his view of “We can join the armed forces at 16, but we cannot choose the Government who choose our battles.” I tapped him on the shoulder and gave him a big “well done!” for his words, of which easily reflect why 16 and 17 year olds deserve the right to voice their say at the ballot box.


After more tremendous contributions, the debates were done and at 3:06pm, I headed into the Aye lobby to vote for the campaign issues and then returned for the wrap-up, which included remarks by former Reading West MP Rob Wilson, who was then Civil Society Minister and of whom I met two weeks earlier as part of NCS Leaders, on the day which I had a surprise invite to Number 10! Perhaps I should have cheekily asked him to give me a mention in his remarks? Remarks also came from former Member for Wells in Tessa Munt, who made her first and only appearance at the Dispatch Box that afternoon.


A Vote of Thanks was read by Shay Miah of Hartlepool, who is becoming a real force in his town and of whom I got to know through an Induction Weekend at Ashford in Kent just a week after my Election. Seeing him and Group 13 Member of that weekend Lewis Sherwood speak made me delighted and if any of you are reading this, do know you are a fantastic bunch and it would be great to reunite sometime soon!


The Campaign Vote resulted in Living Wage beating Votes at 16 156-117 to be the UK wide campaign, whilst Mental Health became 2015’s England specific campaign by 157 to Better Work Experience’s 78 and Bring Back Exam Resits in English and Math’s 33 votes. The latter result was cheered all over the chamber and galleries.


Mr Speaker who undoubtedly enjoyed UKYP’s sitting more than anything else whilst in the chair, to finish up gave thanks to all involved and restated the story of one MP believed to be the late Sir Peter Tapsell, stating when Member’s gave the nod for first usage of the Chamber five years prior that “You mark my words, Mr Speaker, sir. I have been here a great deal longer than you have. If those young people come to this Chamber, chewing gum will be left all over it and at the worst pen knives will be used and damage will be inflicted on these Benches that I love.” Thankfully and to prove he was most certainly incorrect, the only damage done to the benches has been the natural wear and tear of the leather over the years.


After the sitting concluded at 16:19pm – which I managed a slightly cheeky selfie in the Chamber, myself, Arnold and Andrew then met with former MYP for Wolverhampton James Potts, who 11 years ago today on November 4th 2011, was the West Midlands Debate Lead on a Debate for Transport and at that moment in 2014 was working for then Nottingham North MP Graham Allen. James gave us a tour of the Palace, which meant a look in the Lords Chamber – a place which in 2015 and 2016 I would make my mark and in Westminster’s most spectacular space of The Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, which being inside put even more goosebumps on my arms.


We then eventually departed to catch the 19:43pm Virgin Trains service back to Wolverhampton and with a Burger King in hand from the famed Euston concourse, then reflected on the surrealness of the occasion. Once getting back through the front door sometime after 10pm, my late brother Kieran simply said to me “You’ve have a good day!” – which I simply just smiled.


Going from Wolverhampton’s most deprived ward of Bushbury South and Low Hill to the heart of democracy; for the second time in 16 days after a Breakfast reception at Parliament with NCS Leaders on October 29th, is an honour beyond comparison and unless I ever get to speak from or get mentioned from the Green Benches, will be very hard to beat.


I am sure today’s 12th gathering of MYP’s in the Chamber, for the 1st time since November 8th 2019 and on what is the 3rd Anniversary of Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s Election as Speaker, will be just as worthwhile for the 249 11-18 year olds in attendance, which for the first time ever not only see a SNP member speak from the Dispatch Box in John Nicholson, but will also see the UK Overseas Territories be represented in the Commons!


This is something which everyone who loves democracy will be immensely proud of and I hope cracks open the bottle, on getting those part of the wider UK family a permanent place in the Mother of Parliament’s itself and I hugely look forward to seeing there dedicated speaking slots which they have just before lunch.


2022’s debate topics, all have a Health theme of which are:


  • Impact of Discrimination on Health
  • Environment and Health
  • Education and Health
  • Cost of Living and Health
  • Mental Health


All five areas couldn’t be more relevant or important to be debating at this point in time and I hope will make every elected representative with serious power up and down the land, takes serious note of what will be incredible remarks by folks seen as “the future”. Of course, my biggest best wishes go to Wolverhampton's Lshae Green and Gregory McDonald, who are flying the flag for our city. For just being there, you are doing Wulfrunians immensely proud!


A huge congratulations goes to the whole team at the British Youth Council and in the House of Commons – not least Commons staffer David Clark, who whilst at BYC made everything run like clockwork! He deserves massive credit for his role over the years and I will always be pleased at not getting one of his infamous Yellow Cards for bad conduct in BYC activity.


As I hope you’ve seen from my story as above, Gracing the Green Benches nearly 8 years ago is a highlight of my life which will burn very brightly for however long I live and breathe on this planet, and I’m sure will do for all involved this sunny Friday too!

A Birthday Reflection

by Kashmire Hawker • 15 September 2025
In giving this annual reflection post as the clock turns on another year of my life and which sees me today turn 28, I feel that these last 12 months have been much beneficial both personally and professionally. Without the vigour and demanding nature of electioneering in my home city; which always takes us a significant period of personal time, it has allowed me to some of the more enjoyable things, and which make me feel hugely lucky to know who I do and cherish those relationships and friendships even more. Making my first visit to mainland Europe since 2019, attending two wonderful weddings, as well as ticking off my first two Half Marathons, be at two Formula One races, having three excellent visits to Silverstone, see 32 football games, run over 550KM (according to Strava), be among 80K+ at Wembley to see Coldplay and be part of 160K+ in witnessing Lando Norris’s majestic British Grand Prix victory, alongside ever evolving work responsibilities in the heart of regional Government here in the West Midlands, has certainly made it a big adventure. From as far north as Newcastle for that big run as done last week, to as far south as North Eastern Spain to soak up the sun and really enjoy my love of motorsport, and from as far east as Ipswich to see my football team claim a rare away win to as far west as Bristol in seeing and expanding my knowledge and passion for culture and heritage, this latest cycle around the earth has given me experiences to look fondly on and which have been more varied and mixed more than ever. No doubt it has at points made me feel a bit tired and that has interlinked with some forms of disappointment; not least politically, but every year of living has those down points and they have been outweighed by the above positives and folks I know. The next 12 months in my 29th year, I will look to become an even greater and authentic version of myself, who isn’t afraid to call out injustice, who becomes personally more ethical in a number of areas and who seeks to get out a shell, which I feel has continued to somewhat grip me: loneliness. The globe being such a big and uncertain place, lets be honest has scared the life out of me in recent months and I will look to oversee that. On that, I do greatly appreciate the support, guidance and backing from the organisations I am involved with and many exemplary individuals who are counted as close friends and folks I can turn to. And in saying thanks for the wishes for today’s upping of the age, I embrace the coming 12 months even more than the last. It’s Happy Birthday, little old me!

The Race of my Life! 2025 AJ Bell Great North Run

by Kashmire Hawker • 9 September 2025
My thoughts following completing the most popular Half Marathon on the planet!

The Great North Run - Why I'm Running

by Kashmire Hawker • 1 September 2025
This coming Sunday marks the 2025 AJBell Great North Run – and what will be just 9 days prior to my 28th Birthday, I will be ticking off one of the bucket list items for surely any runner on the planet. This 13.1 miles to come from Newcastle to South Shields will be more than just my second half marathon of the year, being among around 60,000 people, as I’m partaking for The Stroke Association, whose work really is lifechanging for anyone whose had a stroke and their families. I am doing it for my wonderful Mother Daljit, who suffered a stroke aged just 23 in November 1989. A stroke in someone’s mid-twenties is devastating enough and no doubt made even worse that as a result of the effects of it, she lost sight in her right eye in June 1993 aged just 26 and her left eye be left with limited vision, being over 4 years before I was welcomed into the world. Blackouts related to this were frequent during the 2000’s and meant several hospital stays for her whilst I was a primary school pupil, which naturally made me feel very scared and worried when growing up. Thankfully, her prescriptions have meant she hasn’t had an extended hospital stay for over a decade. Knowing she marked her 59th birthday on Saturday just gone and that I can help to plan a celebration for her hitting 60 next August, makes me beyond proud of all she has navigated through during her existence, not least a single Mum to 4 boys. It really shows just how important it is for folks to get as much support as possible and as quickly as possible after a stroke and this is what The Stroke Association provide through there wide range of services and practical assistance across the country. By the time I finish on Sunday within two and a half hours many more lives will have been changed, as an individual on average has a stroke every 5 minutes in the UK. This makes the run even more important for all 430 us donning a Team Stroke vest, in contributing to such a big national effort to help with treatment and whatever support an individual so needs. As of writing, I’ve raised £366 which I am hugely grateful for and would love to push that to the £500 mark for the day itself. If you are able, please do donate at https://events.stroke.org.uk/fundraisers/kashmirehawker and if it’s a few quid or above £50 (as three very kind donations have been), I and all at The Stroke Association will appreciate it with all our hearts. Huge thanks for all given so far and if you want to follow me on run day, my bib number is Pink Wave 43784 . Together, lets help to support many millions of people’s lives!

In Utter PARADISE! Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour Delivered by DHL

by Kashmire Hawker • 1 September 2025
Among a long list of truly unforgettable and life affirming dates I’ve had in my near 28 years alive, I can officially add Sunday August 31st, 2025, to the collection. Just over 11 months after a near 3 hour wait on Ticketmaster’s very tricky to navigate website and despite its bots stating “there’s no tickets left” about 1 hour and 15 minutes in, I was lucky enough to head back to Wembley just over a year after Taylor Swift’s incredible tour date and see Coldplay’s continued marathon of the Music of the Spheres World Tour Delivered by DHL (other delivery organisations are of course available😉) to round off another fairly fun Summer. When these latest dates were announced last September and thus saw Chris Martin and co add them themselves to the national stadium’s history books by doing the greatest number of gigs of the same tour there, I knew instantly that I wished to try and get to one of this run of 10 taking place. People have long said “if there is one concert you should go to, then it has to be Coldplay” and that automatically made me think it would be worth putting this theory to the test. Arrival was the easiest and swiftest passage through security in my now many number of Wembley visits and saw all given 2 flashy wristbands and a pair of “Moongoggles” to use at one point. Proceedings began at 5pm with there being three support acts on the bill being Gustavo Dudamel and The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela – whose few pieces including the Star Wars theme raised the hairs on my necks and was a quite majestic way to kick off proceedings, Elyanna, who has a good voice and great South American flair, but which struggled to resonate with the crowd during much of her time on stage and the Asian band beabadoobee, who brought passion and a sense of fun ahead the main event. Impressively, the gap between beabadoobee who finished at 7:17pm and Coldplay who made entry at 7:53pm was just 36 minutes, making it I think the shortest crossover periods in a gig which I’ve attended between the final warm-up and the chief artist and which showed just how meaningful that support acts on the bill at major concerts can be, when given the time and space to do their thing. Coldplay’s entrance came through the playing of the theme of ET and them casually walking on to the stage without too much grandeur, before Higher Power and Adventure of a Lifetime got things moving with staggering energy. Paradise, my personal favourite of there’s was next and done in a more electric rock style than the song was made of. It thus brought something really different to the set and yet still had the same pulling power thanks to it’s meaning. To me, Paradise means achievement, it means emotive happiness and it means the enjoyment of life despite some of the pitfalls which come along the way and thus hearing it live (plus singing it) will be a moment that lives very long in the memory. There were plenty of other classics to cherish, with Viva La Vida going down a storm, Clocks turning Wembley like an Incredible Hulk kind of Green which flashed right round, Hymn for the Weekend which was belted out in unison and Yellow which filled emotion among all and made one of the world’s greatest arena’s more like the Old Gold of my club Wolverhampton Wanderers. We Pray brought a request of unity knowing of the uncertainties within humanity right now, as shown within an earlier playing of Magic that featured two audience members from Israel appear on stage and thus Chris give his appreciation to anyone from Palestine in attendance, of which was greeted with huge applause. People of the Pride featuring the waving of the LGBTQIA+ flag and rainbows everywhere captured everyone’s thoughts, as well as Chris’s comedic admission earlier in proceedings that “I’m more of a Grindr man” when it came to dating apps! My Universe featuring BTS also brought real vibrancy and power, as well as a stunning edition of A Sky Full of Stars which all was told to keep the phones away and jump around like you’ve forgotten about those frustrations in your life. Fireworks, confetti and colours lit up Brent’s finest asset, to the joy of us all and let 80K+ feel genuinely happy at what they were doing at that exact moment. Not long after was Fix You, which upon fully understanding the lyrics put me on the verge of tears. Knowing of my family, and that I have an estranged Twin whose behaviour has been least pleasing to folks in my immediate surroundings over the last several years, certainly makes me wonder if he will ever be fixable to us, let alone society. That makes my heart feel very heavy and somewhat regretful, but it’s for our betterment that his actions give us no choice but to have cut him out and that unless he cuts them out, such a stance is our default position. I hope one day that this can and will be altered. Fix You formed part of a mighty conclusion, which prior included what was joked an all-new segment of showing a camera to audience members, which thankfully for Gig 220 of Music of the Spheres didn’t have anyone showing signs of any affair of any type appear on screen! Earlier I mentioned some Moongoggles, given at the doors after heading through security. It was the last big track that the usage came for feelslikefallinginlove, which was full of planets used on the floors, full of lots of spectacle through almost every colour possible and upon putting on those plastic specs that I just about did over my actual glasses, meant lots of jazzy lighting. This track has become one of my big loves thanks to its melody and how the piece of music comes together as something joyful and impactful. Right at the end of it, post more fireworks saw the word LOVE in big bold letters on both sides of the stadium, in an explicit and powerful message that the globe needs people, places and in this case groups to come together and deliver some positivity in what is quite the scary world. I departed with 2 songs remaining, to ensure I beat the madness of what has become quite a lengthy line on Olympic Way up to Wembley Park which post Taylor Swift I was within for over an hour. That mission was successful, and I’d returned back to my comfy hostel near The Shard just about 60 minutes after departing. I deem that tactic one to use for future major events I attend in the future. Other bits to reflect on from the gig was its fantastic social value, with the Music Venues Trust getting 10% of receipts from each night and its green credentials, with it solar powered and 6 dedicated dance circles and a fair few exercise bikes helping to generate significant energy for future shows. 10 Million trees are also being planted in the Amazon, representing one tree for every ticket sold, thus doing there bit in the fight against our changing planet. All put together, the emotion, the power, the colour, the timeless classic after timeless classic and the pure humility in humanity on display last night made it one utterly extraordinary and surreal experience, of which was worth all £111 of the ticket, alongside the accommodation and travel costs. Days and moments like it feel absolutely priceless and certainly helped to fulfil the theory as mentioned at the top. Coldplay are forever worth seeing and I simply say: thank you, for doing it in such formidable and beautiful style. I’d do it again every day of the year in a heartbeat.

The Neon Green Dream! The 2025 British Grand Prix

by Kashmire Hawker • 29 July 2025
In my time of giving voluntary service of the years, I have no doubt what being at Silverstone for the 2025 Formula 1 Qatar Airways British Grand Prix will be extraordinarily hard to beat. Ticking off my 6th British GP aged 27, having been a ticket steward in 2018 and 2019 whilst a Uni student and as a Volunteer Race Maker for GP weekend since 2022 felt an even bigger privilege this year, knowing it celebrated one man and electrified one small part of the birthplace of the sport. Stowe Corner has been my base for the BGP in 2023 and 2024 and am pleased to say it remained the case for 2025. Being Autistic means I much approve familiarity and Silverstone understood that message in the best possible way, which instantly made me satisfied before arrival. After arriving on a warm Wednesday evening and ensuring my tent’s top had an undercover post last year’s Saturday morning 3:30am thunderstorm for the ages, Thursday saw what has also become a familiar part of the GP weekend routine in supporting the Pit Walks. In my case this year, I was on the edge of the track between the 100M and 150M boards, shouting at folks to get across nicely and to stay off the grass. Safe to say my F1 puns including “You’ll get a 10 second penalty” got a mixed response… The track was semi-live when it shouldn’t, meaning delays between the groups heading across but the perks of seeing some stars around, including impressive rookie Isack Hadjar and fellow Frenchman Pierre Gasly on there bikes doing plenty of miles. Once I got into the pits to walk through with Group 3 of the 4, I also Sir Lewis Hamilton from about 15 yards away, prior to him heading on to his named straight for Sky Sports F1’s The F1 Show. That alone made me extremely chuffed to be that close to the all-time legend he is. For Race Weekend, my specific position was towards the end of Stowe (or Landostand) B, forming part of one of motorsport’s most awesome highspeed and daring corners – a place which nailing it makes you a hero and place you get it wrong, can make you find out to a big cost as Michael Schumacher did with his broken leg in 1999. All three days on the stand brought the usual questions and signposting of where things were by fans, as well as Sunday’s several spectacular storms including one during the race, many photo taking requests and more, all decked out in the most beautiful sea of Neon Green and Black which forms part of Lando’s and Quadrant’s striking brand. This was via flags at the top of each stand, tarpaulin at the bottom of each of them and at the back which made for a stunning visual approach when walking, as well as on all of the catering outlets behind the corner and many thousands of gorgeous, if not slightly pricey t-shirts being worn by the mass ranks. What made the weekend however was the wonderful sincerity, decency and utter kindness of the fans who we had the pleasure of sharing the experience with. Lando’s fanbase have kind-heartedness woven into their passion of Formula 1 and this was evident from the moment the first supporters came on Friday, of which as a volunteer who was there to do a role as required by the circuit certainly helped to make it be done much easier a result. Next to the track fence was a DJ who at first on the Friday was not playing the correct tracks at all for very much a female majority and family heavy range of spectators, but that was put right and enabled us to show our enjoyment, particularly in the build-up to Qualifying and the Race. Dance moves and inspiring the audience were plenty, not least by one of our Zone Leaders in Gary Thrope, who is now TikTok, and social media adored a thousand times over and helped to contribute to the most impressive and terrific atmosphere I’ve perhaps ever experienced at a major sports event. This was backed up by his Mr Norris claiming a well driven victory come the main event, of which made the majority of eyes around me (including my own) somewhat damp for the last lap, in-lap and for the podium. Seeing what Lando means to so many right-throughout the weekend so potentially symbolises the exceptional power which individuals in sport can have on others and seeing this on full display made his win even more special to comprehend. One other highlight to feel gleeful about, was being able to post the Saturday shift to meet many from the F1 community on Meta’s Threads. Brought together by two brilliant humans in Helz and Casper, saying hello to folks from across the globe, who’d you got to know a little about via social media was a true joy and has for many given them a safe space to Threads, which has by far the best set of Formula 1 fans online. My heart felt full and almost bursting to see such an awesome set of folks and I already look forward to 2026’s meet! Huge credit goes to all my fellow Race Makers for the immense job that was done at another record breaking, history making gathering which saw over 500,000 attend between Thursday and Sunday. It’s no wonder the race gets 95%+ satisfaction rating year on year thanks to all of hard work and graft, during what can sometimes be a tiring few days and all-around Stowe were simply top class. It helps to make Silverstone and this international institution of an event one unbelievable annual occasion and being one of many giving a helping hand every year, is a very proud personal achievement. Cheers to the Landostand and its wonderful fans, hopefully forever, as well as him winning the 2025 Drivers World Championship! P.S: Find more about opportunities of volunteering at Silverstone by seeing https://www.silverstone.co.uk/about/volunteering

ANNOUNCEMENT: Selection as Candidate for Penn for 2026 Local Elections

by Kashmire Hawker • 29 July 2025
23:00,Tuesday July 29th 2025, Wolverhampton It’s with huge pleasure and personal delight that I announce my Re-Selection as The Labour Party’s Candidate for the 2026 Local Elections in Penn ward, Wolverhampton. As I came to discover in my campaigns for 2023 and 2024, Penn is a quite superb place, peppered with tremendous pubs including The Hollybush, brilliant independent local businesses including A Cup of Joy, home of exceptional voluntary sector organisations including Friends of Di’s Kitchen and outstanding recreational spaces such as Penn Bowling Club. All of these places and Penn’s incredible residents, who I am truly honoured to have received 3,206 votes from in the last two elections, deserve a Councillor who can get the best for them, working hand in hand with a Labour ran City of Wolverhampton Council, a Labour MP in Wolverhampton West’s Warinder Juss, a Labour West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner in Simon Foster, a Labour and Co-operative Party Mayor in Richard Parker and a UK Labour Government and ultimately someone able to tackle the issues affecting residents the most. From the need to Keep Penn Green and Clean, tackling the state of the roads (not least potholes and speeding), making its housing more energy efficient, getting better public health services and working local businesses to keep the economy thriving, I will be an open and visible candidate and if elected on May 7th 2026, be an open, visible, honest and transparent Councillor who works hard every day in championing the interests of all who live, work and study in a part of the city rooted by its phenomenal communities. I hugely look forward to getting back on the campaign trail in the coming nine months, in sharing such a message, meeting residents and getting more engrossed and engaged throughout activity in Penn. Together, Let’s Deliver For PENN and For YOU! The campaign can be followed via Kashmire Hawker for Penn on Facebook and @hawkerforpenn on Instagram.

Spanish Grand Prix Preview – A scorcher, but no clue who for!

by Kashmire Hawker • 29 May 2025
In saying Hola from the beautiful and spectacular Pineda De Mar in the Costa Brava, where today one had done a gorgeous 8K run and had been in the pool by 1pm, I cannot help feeling for the first time both simultaneously very excited and incredibly relaxed, being on my first visit to Mainland Europe since February 2019. This week’s visit came from a call by fellow Volunteer Race Makers at Silverstone, who in March 2024 asked about interest for a group trip to a Grand Prix. Knowing that I’d always want to experience one overseas and that I haven’t had a continental visit since pre-pandemic, this was something I simply could not refuse. It has also naturally given me a lot of time to reflect and be pretty pleased with how 2025 has turned out thus far, not least this month alone. Alongside this week's holiday, running my first Half Marathon at the Great Birmingham Run which I organised a team for at work and thus contributed to over £2,000 being raised for St Basils, alongside seeing a gorgeous wedding of an amazing work colleague (congrats again Lucy!), plus judge at Solutions for the Planet’s Big Ideas Central England Regional Final for a sixth year running, joining the Board of Coventry Biennial and marching at Birmingham Pride with fellow Wolverhampton Wanderers fans last Saturday for a fourth year in succession, has made this personally a Magnificent May and really shows the power of communities and it’s people at its brilliant best. Back to here; and with lots of lounging beside the pool and my first dips into a swimming pool done since a family visit to Haven Marton Mere in July 2013 (true story!) and some utterly exquisite food being consumed, attention turns to the main event, in witnessing the Formula 1 armaco Gran Premio de Espana 2025, in what is set to be the Circuit de Catalunya’s final bow on the calendar. Even if they have a deal until 2026, Madrid taking away the race for a somewhat annoying looking circuit around a convention centre near an airport, it seems will make Sunday a curtain call after 35 years of noble service. With the track having fairly limited overtaking opportunities (thankfully a lot more than Monaco, which should be made an exhibition event in my view) but a knack for causing drama, it is anyone’s guess who will claim the glory on Race Day itself. Even despite Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton winning every race here since the former’s extraordinary maiden victory in 2016, between 2007-2016 saw 10 different winners on the bounce, illustrating the need for a fast car, being in position to strike when the iron is hot and simply having some belief that it could be anyone’s day. No doubt two key factors for Round 9 of this season, will be the stifling heat that is expected of 29/30 Celsius all weekend and thus the impact this will have on the tires, alongside runaway contenders in McLaren suggesting a performance drop-off is expected with the long-awaited rule changes to the Flexi-Wing (excellently sum-upped by The Race ), which Zak Brown and his boys have utilised to perfection until this moment. A 172-point Constructors World Championship lead after 8 rounds symbolises that to a T. This really goes open up the possibility of a fascinating contest, one of which I cannot and thus I will not specifically predict one name. I do however have a thought that this could turn out to be 2025’s big surprise and that a wildly unexpected victor has their moment, just like Gasly at Monza in 2020 and Ocon at Hungry 2021. Of course, Alonso or Sainz winning on home soil would be majestic beyond measure! With a blisteringly quick Start/Finish Straight, gradient changes and undulation which makes the place almost like a Rollercoaster (as once impeccably illustrated in song by Ronan Keating) and all types of corners around the track, this is sure to be another dramatic and unpredictable 190 Miles come Sunday afternoon. On top of the F1, there will be some extremely entertaining racing in Formula 2, Formula 3 and the Porsche Supercup; all of whom have some exceptional and generational talents within (as Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and George Russell have sublimely illustrated), of which make some early alarm calls when watching at home and the annual pilgrimage of volunteering at Silverstone more than worth it. F2 and the Porsches I suspect however will try to be on their best behaviour, after there Wacky Races style pileups at Turn 1 at Monte Carlo last weekend, which at least again show the immense safety which competitive racing of the kind really has at its core. There will be huge talking points and a lot for me to saviour and see over the coming three days and all of which, makes me very lucky to experience it in real life and I feel massively grateful. No doubt, Little Old Me (cheers Taylor for the inspo in using those three words) would not have believed it just 10 years ago. With that, here’s to a fine few days of motorsport and as I did on Tuesday night sinking another 0% Pina Colada or two, or three!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Appointment to the Board of Coventry Biennial Limited

by Kashmire Hawker • 17 May 2025
I'm honoured to have joined the Board and become a Trustee of a force in Contemporary Arts in the West Midlands!

STATEMENT: Failure by Wolves to Support Wolves Women

by Kashmire Hawker • 28 April 2025
I am utterly appalled and deeply disgusted to hear that Wolverhampton Wanderers did not even apply for promotion to the Women’s Championship for Wolverhampton Wanderers Women , in the event they won the Women’s National League North: which came within 3 points of happening, after they finished 2nd just behind Nottingham Forest in a closely fought battle. On the back of another excellent campaign by the side, which alongside that second place in the 3rd tier of English football included a big Black County Derby win in front of over 3,000 at Molineux on March 23rd and a record club attendance of 5,008 for a second consecutive FA Cup 5th Round appearance in February, hearing such news yesterday has put back such progress considerably and it sadly would not surprise me if Macca and a large majority of the side departed for pastures new this Summer. The clear lack of respect, lack of parity and it seems lack of simple decency towards Macca and his side, who have been in the mix not just this season but for the last several - despite a massive lack of budget compared to other sides, is an even greater and damming stain on the leadership of Jeff Shi and Fosun at the very top of the organisation and shows an unacceptable and inexcusable disrespect towards Women’s Football, which continues to grow in all its forms. This is the clearest and even more shocking evidence that change is urgently required within Wolves hierarchy, and I call on Fosun International, once again, to immediately intervene and dismiss Shi as Executive Chairman of the business after nearly 9 years, which has seen transparency, fan engagement and in this case, honesty, plummet to record lows and terrible depths. I also call for a formal public apology by the club, outlining what occurred in this circumstance, stating truthfully what the intention was and is around next season and the club finally outlining what the long-term plan is for Wolves Women, whose time for that extra investment to push us to the next level is long and most certainly overdue. The motto of “One Pack” means absolutely nothing when hearing about such action and as a member of the club’s Equality Advisory Group, I and others are seeking speedy and comprehensive answers, a group of players, whose efforts, decency and immense commitment to Wolverhampton Wanderers and the City of Wolverhampton, deserve so much better.

Appointment to Solutions for the Planet's Youth Insights Panel

by Kashmire Hawker • 7 April 2025
I am thrilled to being part of an exciting step, in Solutions' next stage of development!