𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝗸𝗲𝗿: 𝗔𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗢𝗮𝗸 & 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵
On Thursday, May 7th, use your vote to choose a local champion, not a party politician.

Full statement

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗲:
I am a proud Fair Oak resident, a husband, and a father of two children attending our local state schools. My commitment to our community is personal — I want to ensure this remains a safe, thriving place for all our families to grow up in.
I am deeply involved in our local area, currently serving as Chair of Governors for a nearby Primary School. I am also an active campaigner, serving as a committee member for Action Against Destructive Development, where I have helped organise opposition to inappropriate planning applications. I have spoken directly at planning committees, successfully ensuring that harmful developments were rejected to protect our communities.
My belief in our area extends beyond just planning. I have decided to stand as an Independent candidate because I'm concerned that for too long Liberal Democrat Controlled Eastleigh Borough Council has been making risky financial decisions that threaten our future.
EBC has amassed a staggering total debt of over £580 million. Their latest statement of accounts admits they will need to borrow more to remain a going concern. Source: EBC Statement of Accounts: https://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/.../2024-25-statement-of...
One Horton Heath has been mired in controversy & is a significant contributor to increased debt at EBC. In my opinion OHH represents a considerable overstep for a local authority, both in terms of remit and risk.
While the council focuses on becoming a property developer, the basics are being ignored. Residents in Fair Oak and Horton Heath are facing:
• Chronic traffic congestion that is only getting worse.
• A lack of GP appointments and strained local services.
• Overdevelopment without the necessary infrastructure to support it.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
This election is not about Westminster or national party politics. It is about who will hold the Council to account here in Eastleigh.
I am proud to join the Independent Group, led by Cllr Louise Parker-Jones. Unlike the national parties, I am not bound by a "party whip" or political yoke.
I answer only to you—the residents of Fair Oak and Horton Heath.
You can depend on me to:
• Scrutinise the council’s risky spending and demand financial sanity.
• Fight for better infrastructure (roads and doctors) before new housing.
• Protect our local gaps and green spaces from destructive development.
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
It is fantastic news that the local elections are proceeding on May 7th. This is your opportunity to send a message that our community deserves better than debt and neglect.
Please lend me your vote so I can represent your best interests, not party interests.
𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝗸𝗲𝗿 – 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁
Promoted by and on behalf of: Richard Anthony Shuker, 30 Pembers Farm Avenue, Fair Oak, Hampshire, SO50 7QL.