Tom Copley (Past staff)

Biography

Tom has been on the London Assembly as a Labour London-wide List member since May 2012, and was re-elected in 2016. He is the Housing Spokesperson for the Labour Group on the Assembly.

Tom is a member of the Housing Committee, Transport Committee, Planning Committee, Audit Panel, Confirmation Hearings Committee and Oversight Committee.

On the Assembly he has raised concerns about the lack of housing supply across all tenures, rents and conditions in the private rented sector and the increase in rough sleeping. As someone with a long standing love for the arts, Tom has also been an advocate for London’s small theatres. His Centre Stage report led to the launch of the London Theatres Small Grants Scheme in August 2015.

In 2016 he published Tax Trial which called on the Mayor to seek powers from government to trial a Land Value Tax in part of London.

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Tom worked for the Searchlight Educational Trust - an anti-fascist, anti-racist charity that works with communities to fight racism and hatred. He has also worked for the Labour Party and the Health Protection Agency.

Tom is a patron of LGBT Labour, sits on the Board of the New Diorama Theatre and is an elected trustee of the British Humanist Association.

Originally from Derbyshire, Tom grew up in Wiltshire and has lived in London for most of the last 12 years.

Responsibilities for 2019-20

Member of the Confirmation Hearings Committee

Member of the GLA Oversight Committee

Member of the Police and Crime Committee

Member of the Transport Committee

Key issues

• Housing, in particular the provision of more council homes
• Transport
• Arts & culture
• Tackling racism and extremism