Shaun Bailey was born in a council house to British Jamaican parents and raised by a single mum. He was homeless in his twenties and struggled to make ends meet. But he managed to turn his life around - and he spent twenty years as a youth worker helping others do the same.
Since then, he has been an adviser to Downing Street, helping to deliver the largest youth programme in British history. He has been an adviser to the Department for Education, helping to expand access to the Army Cadets for schools across the country. And now he is the Conservative candidate for Mayor of London.
It’s fair to say that he is not a typical politician. But that’s a good thing. Because after five years as a Member of the London Assembly, Shaun has seen how Sadiq Khan is failing our city. And he is determined to give London a fresh start.
1. Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
London has always, and will always, be where I feel most at home. My grandmother was a Windrush immigrant who came to London in search of a better life. Londoners welcomed her as one of their own – and I’ve always felt grateful for the opportunity to grow up here.
2. What are your proudest achievements?
Family is the most important thing in my life. So my proudest achievement is marrying my amazing wife Ellie, and being a dad to our children Aurora and Joshua. Outside politics, I’m extremely proud to serve as an Honorary Colonel of the Royal Fusiliers, with responsibility for Cadets.
3. What inspires you?
The activism and determination of the younger generation to initiate change. Their passion to challenge the status quo is an example to us all – and they inspire me to work harder for a safer, fairer, more affordable city.
4. What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
During my twenties, I went through desperate periods of homelessness, sofa-surfing as I relied on friends to give me a roof over my head. The stress was unbelievable, knowing that if a friend was not there, I’d have to spend nights on the streets.
5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
The late Barron Hulme. He gave me the encouragement, confidence and push to become a youth worker. I want every young Londoner to have someone like Barron in their life.
6. What is the best aspect about your current role?
My whole ethos is about bringing people together. So I’ve been extremely grateful for the opportunity to meet Londoners from different communities, faiths and backgrounds. Londoners have taught me a huge amount. And I hope to use their experience and knowledge to build a safer, fairer, more affordable city.
7. And the worst?
Having to work with individuals who play politics and blame others for their failures, rather than taking responsibility for their actions.
8. What are your long-term goals?
Becoming the Mayor of London and giving London a fresh start. I want to build a city that works for ordinary Londoners. A city that recovers from coronavirus with safer streets, affordable homes, a transport network fit for a global city and a lower cost of living.
9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I wouldn’t be! But in this fantasy scenario, I’d build the homes that Sadiq Khan failed to build. We need a city and a country that everyone can afford to live in. And I do not need to be Prime Minister for that. As Mayor, I will build 100,000 homes to be sold at £100,000 each.
10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
I have to choose two: Dr Martin Luther King Jr. He gave everything for the emancipation of people of colour, and fought to bring people together. And Edward Cardwell, whose reforms of the British Army changed the trajectory to one of merit rather than birth.
