Simeon signs up for the Commons fight

THE Green Party has selected Simeon Hart as its candidate for the Oldham West and Royton by-election.

Mr Hart stood in the constituency in this year’s General Election in a bid to become the first deaf and British sign language user MP — he received 839 votes, putting him in last place.

Mr Hart said: “I believe that I am the best candidate for Oldham West and Royton because I am fully committed to helping, and meeting the needs of local people. I have spent years working with disadvantaged communities, and I want to help improve the quality of life for the people in the constituency.”

Mr Hart has been following politics since he was aged 15, but has found that there are many barriers for deaf people.

In 2008, He joined the Green Party, and has campaigned within the party to improve access for deaf people, including setting up the Deaf Green Party.

He has experience of working with communities around the world, including volunteering with a deaf community in the Philippines and being elected as the president of the World Deaf Golf Federation. He has experience of working to improve the lives of deaf and disabled people in the UK through his contributions to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Broadcasting Act 1996.