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Meet the great-grandmother hoping to be elected to Parliament

Doris Osen is thought to be the oldest female candidate ever at the age of 87

May 17, 2017 08:54
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1 min read

Doris Osen, who claims to be the oldest female parliamentary candidate ever, has said her desire to “fix all that’s gone wrong with the country” is the driving force behind her tireless campaigning.

The 87-year-old great-grandmother is running again as an independent for the Ilford North seat held by Labour’s Wes Streeting. She won just 87 votes in the constituency in the 2015 election.

Citing social problems including illiteracy and NHS underfunding, the Redbridge resident and self-proclaimed socialist said she “just had to speak up” on behalf of her grandchildren.

Mrs Osen, a former teacher who has 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson, said: “Austerity will affect the young people and the poor. And when we get to 2020, people will be less happy with Theresa May than they are now.