In my uncle’s memory I vow to get change

KARIM MUSSILHY

I LOST my uncle Hesham Rahman in the Grenfell Tower fire, and since that day I have been determined to make sure no one has to go through what we went through.

Two years on and there is still so much to do. It’s time to stop asking and start demanding change.

That’s why Grenfell United illuminated unsafe tower blocks in Manchester, London and Newcastle.

It’s heartbreaking that people still live in blocks covered in combustible cladding, that have no sprinklers and broken fire doors.

Last week, I visited residents in Cruddas Park, Newcastle, a 20-storey block housing people over 50. It has LOST Hesham died in Grenfell Vice chair of Grenfell United

gaping holes under fire doors. Listening to the residents saying how they had asked for change but been ignored brought back how Grenfell residents complained about safety before the fire, but were ignored. We need to change this system and put power into residents’ hands.

That’s why we are calling for a new separate housing regulator, that will work for tenants. This is key ask by Grenfell United and we are pleased it’s being backed as part of the Mirror’s Never Again campaign.

A regulator focused on residents would put people before profit. On Monday I addressed politicians. The same politicians that made us all promises after Grenfell, promises that we would be rehoused quickly, that cladding would come down and homes would be made safe.

Those promises have been broken. But I made them a promise, and I will not break it. We will not stop. We will demand change so that Grenfell never happens again.