I am delighted to have been selected as the Conservative Party candidate for Church Ward in the upcoming Reading Borough Council elections on Thursday 4th May.
By profession, I'm an immigration lawyer and community campaigner who has lived in the ward for many years. As a resident of Church Ward, I know some of the challenges that residents and businesses face but I can also see the many opportunities that exist to make Thames can even better place to live, work and bring up a family.
My key priorities for our ward include the protection of our green and open spaces through increased seasonal planting and regular maintenance, while also ensuring that we have better local sports provision and much improved facilities for both the young and old.
I also believe that the construction of new housing should be sustainable and only built in suitable locations with community support, not imposed on our precious green belt areas, such as the 200+ houses that RBC's Labour administration has allowed to be built on the former site of Reading Golf Club. Not only will that mean serious construction traffic congestion for nearby residents which, in turn, will only add to our own's wider, endemic road congestion, but it will also add to Reading's CO2 emissions.
I will push for an increased police presence across our ward and campaign with our Safer Neighbourhood Forums for our fair share of community police officers in order to tackle knife crime and anti-social behaviour, such as speeding and graffiti, so that we have safer and cleaner streets.
I am also committed to growth in our local community. I would organise community-led skills programmes, in collaboration with the borough council, to enable our young people to be increasingly adaptable to the UK's rapidly evolving economic, social and technological landscape.
I love where I live and, with your support, it would be a great privilege to represent Church. I very much look forward to meeting you on the doorstep and, while out walking, to answer any of your questions and to hear about your concerns.