Vote for the Best Councillor for Cheriton, Hythe East and Sandgate

I'm honoured to have been selected to stand for my home divison of Cheriton, Sandgate & Hythe East in the Kent County Council elections in May this year for the Liberal Democrats.

In 2017 I came second in the same area, a clear second behind the Conservatives. In the 2019 District Elections, I then took the formerly safe Conservative seat of Sandgate & West Folkestone (which is a large part of the Cheriton, Sandgate & Hythe East county division) with 55% of the vote.

I'm delighted that this year, the Shepway Green Party are backing me to beat the Conservatives here. The Green and Lib Dem local parties have agreed not to stand against each other in May to try to maximise our chances of bringing positive change: real, grown-up politics.

I'm local. I live and work in Sandgate High Street and have done so since 2004.

I'm Hardworking. I believe I'm a good Councillor, who works hard for my neighbours, and works to make the area better. Since being elected as a District Councillor for Sandgate and West Folkestone in 2019, I've dealt with 100's of issues locally: from housing to bins, litter to community safety. I keep in touch throughout the year - you don't just hear from me at election time.

And I'm Experienced. Since 2006 I've racked up 4 years as a County Councillor, 6 as a District Councillor, 10 as a Sandgate Parish Councillor, 7 as a Folkestone Town Councillor and 2 as a Hythe Town Councillor. I've won and lost elections, but never stopped working for, and standing up for, local people. I know how to deliver for our area.

Local people know that I work hard all year round, care about our area, and get things done.

Being elected to Kent County Council will help make me an even more effective Councillor for you.

It would strengthen our campaign against the development of Princes Parade. We're not finished yet: we should Save Princes Parade, and instead build a new sports centre and swminning pool at Martello Lakes.

It will help me get better results for Sandgate, Cheriton and Hythe East. I'll be willing to stand up and speak out against the County Council's endless Conservative leadership, and offer real alternatives.

As a former County Councillor, I know the impact its £2 billion annual budget has on our area. They manage and maintain our roads, deliver social case to those that need us most, and key roles in managing our schools, waste and environment.

With that experience, I'll work to get a better deal for us. Take our local roads as an example: I've successfully lobbied over the years to get new crossings installed in Sandgate Esplanade and by Folkestone West station. I've worked to get potholes filled, roads resurfaced, lines repainted and new safety measures in place across the area. As a County Councillor I could do more, including work for on a 20mph zone in Sandgate and more emphasis on resurfacing and maintaining local roads.

On our environment, Kent should be helping local authorities recycle more, like finding ways to recycle tetrapak cartons and biodegradeable plastics. It's not right to keep burning items that could be recycled.

And I'll stand up for a bigger say for local residents on the issues that matter to them. When I was a County Councillor I gave local people a direct say in where County Council grants went: a practice ended by my successors.

I won't, and don't, always agree with everyone. But I think my record as a hardworking local Councillor, not afraid to speak my mind, is clear. If that's the sort of Councillor you want, I ask for your support in the Kent County Council elections in Cheriton, Hythe East and Sandgate in May.