I am delighted to have been selected as the Labour Party candidate for Hitchin Oughton Ward in the upcoming North Hertfordshire District Council elections. The next few years are going to be extremely challenging as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and try to return to normality, but I am keen to work with the other Labour Councillors in the running of the Council. The challenge is enormous, both in financial terms and also in the upheaval we have seen in how we live and work. How will our High Streets and our workplaces look? One positive is that as a society we have clearly seen the strengths of our public services, but also have a clearer idea of where improvement may be needed.

Originally from Somerset, I lived in London for over 20 years but in 2009 my family and I took the well trodden path north to Hitchin. I have never regretted that decision, Hitchin welcomed us, and I hope if I am elected to the Council I can give something back in return.

For eight years I ran a football team for Hitchin Town Youth FC, including many players from the Oughton area, and we took pride in offering boys from all backgrounds the chance to play football. I also helped instigate the annual ‘Youth Day’ at Hitchin Town FC and was part of the successful campaign to save Top Field from developers.

I have campaigned in my local area on the impact of housing development on communities and facilities. There is no doubt we need housing, but the question should be whether it is the right sort of housing, and in the right place, and with the right access. We need homes for families, not developers. We also need to insure the infrastructure exists to support those homes.

I have spent 30 years as a full time trade union official, representing people working in a range of professions and industries. Currently, in addition to working for a trade union I am also a local workplace representative for the GMB union.

I am clear that my role as a local Councillor will be to listen to the views of constituents, understand their concerns and represent them to the best of my ability, while working to improve people’s lives and solve their problems. Helping people needs more than photographing a problem and posting it on social media. You need to be able to work constructively with other people to actually get things done. You also need the strength to be honest with people and be clear about what is and isn’t possible.

My prior experience as a Labour Councillor in the London Borough of Islington and as a School governor in Holloway gives me the confidence to represent you as Councillor for Oughton Ward. I know what is expected of a Councillor, and I would invite you to vote for me, either in advance with a postal vote, or in person on 6^thMay.