Hackney Conservatives announce general election candidates

Amy Gray is standing for the Conservatives in Hackney North and Stoke Newington

Amy Gray and Jack Tinley have been selected by Hackney Conservatives as the parliamentary candidates for the May 2015 general election.

Jack Tinley is standing for Hackney South and Shoreditch, where Meg Hillier is seeking re-election whilst Amy Gray is standing for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, where Diane Abbott has been an MP since 1987.

Amy Gray moved to Hackney in 2005 and lives in Clapton. She currently works for Tesco as a Government Affairs Manager and is a school governor at St John the Baptist School in Hoxton.

An Oxford graduate, she previously taught English at The Skinners’ Company’s School for Girls in Stamford Hill.

Gray said she was “thrilled” to be representing the constituency she lives in. She said: “Having been a teacher in Hackney, I’m particularly passionate about education and encouraging young people to aspire to achieve their full potential. I also know that housing is a crucial issue for which we need innovative solutions.”

Jack Tinley is running for the Conservatives in Hackney South and Shoreditch

Jack Tinley, 30, is the Conservatives’ candidate for Hackney South and Shoreditch. He moved to Hackney in 2006 and lives in Hoxton.

Tinley is an Associate Director at Lloyds Banking Group in the utilities sector, and is also a trustee of local youth charity. His key campaign issues include helping local businesses, better provision for youth services and working to secure more affordable homes.

He said: “I love Hackney and am passionate about its future success. Growing up in a low income, single parent family that fostered a number of at-risk young people, I understand the importance of opportunity and aspiration in helping people succeed.

“I will work with youth organisations to see what more we can do to support the young people of Hackney to achieve their goals.”

Hackney Conservatives Prospective Parliamentary Candidates can be followed on Twitter at @hackneyamyg and @Jack_Tinley