Abdul Hai is an elected Councillor for King’s Cross Ward. He is the Cabinet Member for Young People, Equalities, and Cohesion for the London Borough of Camden. He gained a BA in Informal & Community Education, Canterbury Christ Church University College.
Abdul has a passion for local government. Abdul has sought to make local government legitimate and relevant to those he represents, creating bridges between the many diverse communities. His political involvement in local government has led to local and national campaigns including reforming the Coroner’s Service.
He has a strategic understanding of the Voluntary and Community Sectors (VCS) at a local and national level. He has have been involved in fundraising, consultations, supporting disadvantaged young people, regeneration programmes, social policies and developing successful partnerships working with voluntary and statutory sectors.
1. Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
London. Having a sense of belonging to a place is important to me. London is my home city and is one of most multicultural cities on the planet and is renowned for innovation and creativity. There are few other places which represent such a broad spectrum of international culture, history and food.
2. What are your proudest achievements?
In 2017, I co-chaired a Youth Safety Taskforce together with Sir Keir Starmer QC MP to investigate the causes of youth violence and knife crime in the London Borough of Camden. We presented our report with recommendations to keeping young people safe. I genuinely believe it made a big difference to the lives of young people and their families.
Covid-19 has exposed the deep structural inequalities in the UK. I worked with key agencies including public health for Camden and Islington to establish a working group to implement a six-week programme to review the disproportionate impact on Black, Asian and other ethnic groups. Building Equal Foundations report was launched with over 140 actions to tackle the systemic inequalities.
3. What inspires you?
People’s resilience and perseverance to succeed in order to make our society a better place for everyone.
4. What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Overcoming discrimination and inequality.
5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
No single individual but there have been numerous good friends and mentors who have helped and guided me in navigating the political path.
6. What is the best aspect about your current role?
Being able to give voice and influence to underrepresented groups. Creating opportunities and removing obstacles to services and improving life chances.
7. And the worst?
Making difficult and challenging decisions on financial savings especially when certain groups feel their needs are being overlooked.
8. What are your long-term goals?
Working towards a better and an equal society for all.
9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
End the austerity agenda once and for all then focus on eliminating structural inequalities.
10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Mahatma Gandhi. He was a true social reformer, and it would be great to know how he would have tackled today’s challenges. His non-violent resistance was a powerful statement to the oppressors and an inspiration to civil rights movements around the world.
