A Labour Baroness, Alicia Kennedy, has been named as the new director of the fiercely pro-tenant Generation Rent campaign group.

The announcement gave an indication that the new leader would continue the direction of the group to date – it spoke of the “suffocating debt” suffered by private tenants during the Coronavirus crisis.

In a statement accepting the position, Baroness Kennedy says: “This Coronavirus pandemic, and the particular challenges it has posed for tenants, has shown how much we need a strong national voice to campaign for the interests of private renters. That’s why I am so pleased to be joining Generation Rent at this vital time. 

“It’s our job to give private renters a platform to share their experiences and to unite to tackle the common problems so many face. Working together we can achieve positive change in policy and practice and deliver stronger rights for tenants. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Dan Wilson Craw, acting director in recent months, stays with the organisation as deputy director, leading on research and communications.

Baroness Kennedy this week resigned the Labour whip and says she will now serve as a non-aligned member of the House of Lords.

She is described by her new employer as being “a leader in strategic planning and campaign organisation” with a 25 year career in politics.

“She worked with Prime Ministers, Cabinet members, hundreds of MPs, and thousands of councillors and volunteers to deliver successful local and national election campaigns for the Labour Party. In particular, she was instrumental in modernising Labour’s campaign infrastructure and techniques through the use of digital technology, something which is still delivering results today” says Generation Rent. 

She was made a life peer in 2012, during her stint as political adviser to then-Labour leader Ed Miliband.