I have lived in Reading for many years, working in the computer industry, and want to help the town continue to be a great place to live and work whilst ensuring voters’ money is spent wisely.

Full statement

Over my career of decades I have worked in a variety of different technical roles up and down ‘the Uk’s Silicon valley’ and have observed how things can ‘wander off-track’ if not properly supervised. I am semi-retired now and have enough time and energy to help prevent this from happening. The Thames ward is an attractive place to live in the town (especially where I live near the river) and I want to help keep it that way, as well as the rest of Reading.
The SDP is a sane alternative to the failures of the Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem parties, and the absurdities of Reform and the Greens. The party is culturally traditional and economically left-leaning - you really can have the best of left and right in one party!
If I were elected to the council, I see my objectives as being:

• Ensuring the council concentrated on the necessary core work that makes everyday life in Reading possible (roads, neighbourhood services, social care etc) and avoiding spendthrift policies and vanity projects
• Scrutinising proposed new housing development projects to make sure they prioritise the needs of Reading people
• Focussing on achieving maximum value for council taxpayers when buying in services and supplies from the private sector
  So vote SDP, the party for people who love Reading - but don’t want to overpay for it!