I love and care about Norbiton.

Full statement

Our community is our strength. But we need to protect our local democracy.

I’ve heard on the doorsteps

• how services have declined while your council tax keeps rising;

• how critically important cycle lanes have been designed so badly that they endanger cyclists and pedestrians;

• that many of you are worried about the decline of your communities as fly-tipping is out of control; and

• that you don’t feel you have a voice in the key Council decisions that affect you.

We need to change this.

For too long, decisions in Kingston Council have been made behind closed doors.

I believe that when people are trusted and have a direct say over how council tax is spent, our communities and our local democracy will grow stronger.

Labour is committed to giving you the power to decide how money is spent in your neighbourhoods under our manifesto commitment ‘Your Money, Your Choice’.

This direct democracy has been introduced in Labour-run councils in Camden and Newham. It’s been a huge success. It challenges the status quo. It offers an alternative to the traditional top-down relationship between councils and residents. It puts power back in your hands and allows you to work as a community.

At its heart, the 7 May 2026 local election is a choice about values.

1. The Lib Dems charge you for removing bulky waste, which unfairly punishes people on low incomes and fuels fly-tipping.

LABOUR IS COMMITTED TO INTRODUCING A FREE NEIGHBOURHOOD SKIP SERVICE TO END THIS UNJUST AND PROFOUNDLY UNEQUAL POLICY.

2. Lib Dem Council decision-making is opaque. Many of you feel you are being ignored and you don’t have a voice in how Council Tax (the most expensive in London) is spent.

LABOUR IS COMMITTED TO DIRECT DEMOCRACY AND GIVING YOU POWER OVER HOW COUNCIL TAX IS SPENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

3. The Lib Dem Council has designed cycle lanes which endanger everyone – pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

LABOUR WILL PUT CYCLIST AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY FIRST AND CALL FOR AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY REVIEW OF CYCLE LANES IN NORBITON AND THE BOROUGH.

I have spent my career tackling corruption, reducing red tape and bureaucratic fiefdoms, and fighting for local democracy.

I love Norbiton and will work day and night to rebuild your trust by giving you (not the councillors or administration) power over key decisions in your community.

If you want change in Norbiton, vote Labour on 7 May. Let’s bring democracy back to Kingston and give you a voice again.