My name is Chandni Chopra and I am standing as an independent candidate.

Full statement

At home, I volunteered for years with the citizens advice bureaux and went on to lead an initiative in Newcastle aimed at highlighting the genocide of the Rohingya people. I qualified as a solicitor in 2016 whilst working in criminal defence law.

Globally, I volunteered in Tanzania whilst working on an initiative with the UN, aimed at halving global poverty. I went on to volunteer in Palestine, Calais, and the refugee camps of Lebanon in 2019 until I secured a role at the EU office in Cyprus advocating for victims of war crimes and sex trafficking.

Why am I standing independent?

For decades the establishment in the form of a Labour and Conservative government have had a strong hold over our public, policing and transport services and many otehr areas which impact our day to day lives, leading to disastrous cuts! If elected, I will advocate the issues which my constituents raise with me and ensure they are heard at the council, whether it be traffic calming measures in Heaton, antisocial behaviour or challenging the Labour Led councils decisions on how it will deal with dangerous pot holes.

The Labour parties shameless response combined with the governments complicity to the ongoing genocide in Gaza has led the nation, including many in Heaton to question whether the establishment is even fit for public office? How can representatives of these parties remain silent on genocide, whilst claim to represent their constituents' rights?

On 2nd May vote Chandni Chopra at the ballot box. Make sure you vote an independent voice into our council, a voice which is accountable to the people and NOT the Party, a voice which will not tow the party line!