Born in Islington, North London; to parents from the beautiful tropical island of Antigua, West Indies. Councillor Cleo Soanes believes in aspiration and opportunity inspired by her mother and father who arrived in the UK with already established strongly held Labour principles and values. Cleo has always had a keen interest in faith, equality, community cohesion and racial justice issues.
Prior to being elected as a Labour Councillor in 2010, Cleo worked in a Southwark Primary school for twelve years before re-locating to a school in West London.
Cleo’s strong Christian belief and worship is rooted in the Church of England where she currently attends St Giles Church, Camberwell and sings in the choir. But, Cleo say’s the proudest day in her life was to be elected as a Peckham Ward local councillor in May 2010.
Cleo enthuses ‘ Being able to use my role to promote Peckham in a positive light to the rest of the world has been a key priority of mine. To serve it’s residents, harness and celebrate the diversity and abundance of talent that there exists – young and old has been significantly important too’. Cleo, also recognises the necessary process to de-mystify the role of the Councillor and open up the process to allow greater diversity amongst elected members. She believes to address the under-representation of BAME representatives in public office will inevitably encourage greater community cohesion and social enterprise. In short, it’s an absolute honour and pleasure to serve as a Peckham Councillor’.
