WALTHAM FOREST: Jennette Arnold elected as London Assembly chair

10:30am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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JENNETTE Arnold has become the first black woman to be elected as chairwoman of the London Assembly.

The Assembly Member for North East London, which includes Waltham Forest, was born on Montserrat, an island in the Caribbean, where her family-home in Long Ground was destroyed in 1997 by the Souffriere volcano.

Ms Arnold, 59, was elected to the role on Friday.

She said: "It is a great honour to be elected as chair of the London Assembly and particularly to be the first black woman to hold the post.

"This is symbolic of London's greatest strengths - its diversity, tolerance, inclusion and opportunity for all. That opportunity has enabled me, the daughter of migrants to rise to hold one of the highest offices in our great city.

"It's been a long road from Long Ground to City Hall! The occasion brings me special pleasure coming so soon after my role-model and uncle Sir Howard Fergus stood down as speaker of the Montserrat Assembly and as deputy governor.

"I look forward to leading the London Assembly in our key role of holding the Mayor to account for the pledges he has made to London.

"I aim to work with all colleagues who show themselves interested in moving London forward in a progressive way."

Labour politician, Ms Arnold was elected as constituency member for North East London in 2004 and held on to her seat at this year's London Assembly elections.

She has taken over from Sally Hamwee as chair.

In her new role Ms Arnold would chair GLA meetings and Mayor's Question Time, and fulfil some of the Mayor's administrative duties.