I am Councillor Josh Constable.

Full statement

I work for the NHS in central Eastleigh, I have spent the last 6 years active in our community, including founding Eastleigh Community Aid during the pandemic. I was elected to Eastleigh town council in 2022 and have spent the past year working hard for you.

Last year the elections in Eastleigh Central were so close between me and the Liberal Democratss that it caused 3 recounts. The Conservatives dropped into 4th place. I am the best hope we have of unseating the Liberal Democrats. I am also the only candidate with a plan for real change in our town.

Eastleigh Borough Council is heading for disaster. Liberal Democrat Councillors voted to approve another budget that continues to gamble with the council finances, taking debt to seven hundred and forty-three million pounds.

I am the only candidate putting forward a detailed economic plan for our Town and Borough. This plan is called Community Wealth Building. Simply put it means prioritising small businesses and community owned enterprise in Council economic policy and procurement. This plan has revitalised Towns and cities across England. Through the Co-operative Party I have met with stakeholders including Labour councils, small businesses, and community groups to promote this approach throughout the Southeast of England. By ensuring public money is spent in our town, we can grow our local economy and in doing so revive our increasingly empty high street.

You can read more about it on our website www.EastleighLabour.co.uk Or you can get in touch with me direct via email or on facebook!

If elected I will continue the service I have offered as a Town Councillor. I have: • Proposed an alternative budget, that would have saved you 30% on your Town Council tax bill. (All Liberal Democrats voted against this!) • Voted to support community groups through grants. • Pushed for greater openness of Council Meetings, including recording meetings. • Voted to keep costs to resident’s low. • Voted to put council contracts to open tender, giving local businesses the chance to apply (All Liberal Democrats voted against this). • Helped residents with road and pavement issues.

Labours plans as detailed in our manifesto would: • Protect our environment. • Grow our local economy. • Bring back council housing. • Tackle souring crime. Bringing a police presence back to Eastleigh.

If you don’t vote, nothing will change. I am the only candidate in this election standing with a proven record of delivery for Eastleigh. I am also the only candidate standing with a clear plan for how we can fix our Town.

Don't waste your vote. Vote for real change. Vote Labour and Co-operative on May 4th.