I spent much of my life in another new town, Basildon, and when I first visited Stevenage in 2008, it immediately felt like home.

Full statement

Within two months, I had moved here. I love the green spaces; the cycle paths; that everything you need is right here; and that it’s only 25 minutes by train to London. I also love that Stevenage has a Labour council that really cares about making Stevenage a better place to live, work and play. The Old Town is the beating heart of Stevenage, and I pledge to work for people in the ward.

I’m interested in long-term planning and strategy, as well as health and wellbeing, the local economy and culture. Unfortunately, people in Stevenage have poorer health outcomes than other parts of the County, and I want to help change that through improving people’s life chances. I believe that my experience working in the
NHS will be helpful in achieving this.

I want to help broaden the range of shops available on our high street, and work on
measures to support local sustainability. I also want to help develop the local cultural
strategy, to make arts and culture accessible to everyone. The Conservative government has cut Stevenage Borough Council’s grant by 74% since 2011/12. Despite this, I am determined to stand up for the Old Town, and for all of Stevenage.
I will engage with local people and my community to make our town even better.

As your Labour and Cooperative Party candidate I am committed to a fairer society, believing that things work best when everyone has a voice and when services are accountable to the people who use them.