Stephen says: "As a historian and a policy and research manager for a national charity who has made Reading my home, I am acutely aware of the need to preserve Reading’s landmarks and green spaces, and that households are contending with the current cost-of-living crisis. 

Therefore, my priorities for Emmer Green are: resisting inappropriate and insensitive planning applications and ensuring the Golf Course developers listen to and work with local residents. In addition, too many of our roads are riddled with potholes. Grass verges and drop-down driveways are not properly maintained. Pavements are left broken and uneven. I will work to ensure that Reading receives its share of the Government’s Potholes Fund, Council officials deliver on problems raised by residents, and those with mobility issues can safely use our pavements. 

A full double-decker bus takes 75 cars off the road. I will push for improvements to public transport across Reading so that those who rely on it have the affordable service they need, and we can reduce congestion on the roads for drivers. Finally, I will argue for no further increases in our Council Tax to help ease the financial burden we are all facing. “