I am so proud of the work we’ve been doing together across the Byker ward this year, and I’m excited to tell you that I have now been officially chosen as your candidate for the Green Party.

Full statement

This is for the local election on May 2nd, when you will have a chance to vote for me as one of your three councillors.

Having worked and lived in the Byker ward for the past decade, I have seen the way that our community has come together to plug the gaps left by severe cuts to council funding. In my work as a Clinical Psychologist for the NHS, I have developed a keen interest in how we can apply ideas about community wealth building and development to reverse the decline we have been witnessing. This is about our health and wellbeing, physical and mental.

I came a close second in the local elections last May. If just 100 Labour voters had voted Green instead, you would have had your first Green Party councillor.

As someone who has been active here as a resident, a NHS worker, a supporter of Byker Mutual Aid and as someone who has always been encouraging of local groups like the St Peter’s Basin Neighbourhood Association and the Byker Tenants and Residents’ Association, I’m in the best position to stand up for our communities for the funding, resources and vision we need.

As someone who has been active here as a resident, a NHS worker, a supporter of Byker Mutual Aid and as someone who has always been encouraging of local groups like the St Peter’s Basin Neighbourhood Association and the Byker Tenants and Residents’ Association, I’m in the best position to stand up for our communities for the funding, resources and vision we need.

Much of my time over this past year has been spent knocking on doors and acting on people’s concerns. I have done this with my team of volunteers. There is a lot of work to do. I’ve been campaigning for cleaner streets, more reliable public transport and more local investment. You’ve seen that we’ve taken action. More than that, our work has been about building up the community spirit and trust that is essential for us all. From West Walker to East Ouseburn, from St Peter’s Basin through the Byker Estate and north of Shields Road to the Addison, Grafton & Ringtons estate, as well as the two tower blocks, we’ve been working hard. Rebuilding community across these diverse areas is what we’re about. Change only happens when we come together.

After decades of Labour councillors, you can now vote for me and my Green team to represent you on Newcastle City Council.

We will still have a Labour-run council and soon we will have a Labour-run government. We need Green Party representatives in the room more than ever.

This election is between me and Labour, as the other parties are not active here. You will still have two Labour councillors, but as your third councillor I will be able to ask the questions you want me to ask. I’ll be free to push for what we need. Please consider giving me this chance.