I joined the Green Party in 2018 as one of several post-retirement volunteering activities.

Full statement

Why the Green Party? Firstly, its leaders talked sense and seemed different to
typical politicians. Secondly, the Party’s values - grassroots democracy, social
justice and equal opportunity, ecological wisdom, non-violence, decentralization,
community-based economics, gender equality and respect for diversity -
corresponded largely to my own.

At my first branch meeting, the members struck me as friendly, well-informed,
intelligent, and keen to make a positive difference to our town. Although at the
time we had no Green councillors, the members had already been active in a
number of significant local campaigns, so I was inspired to help with leafletting
and administration and eventually took on the role of Branch Secretary. In 2019,
we celebrated the election of our first two councillors, April Clark and Mark Hood,
who won one of the biggest majorities in the whole country with one of the
highest percentage voter turnouts.

I decided to stand as a KCC Councillor for Tonbridge because I couldn’t see what
the incumbent Conservative councillors had actually achieved in the course of
their tenure. It also seemed unfair to me that the Conservatives’ huge majority
on Kent County Council meant that, effectively, we lived in a one-party state
reminiscent of the Soviet Union, with key decisions being taken by a small
Cabinet and the Councillors voting as they were instructed. I want to increase the
size of the opposition in KCC, hold the Council to account and make it a more
democratic body.

Like my fellow-candidate Mark Hood, I want to ensure that KCC fulfils its
commitment to reach zero carbon by 2030, that its policies on Transport, Active
Travel and Air Quality are effective, and that the Green Belt is preserved. I want
to protect bus routes like the 211, bring back more evening services, reinstate a
30mph limit on arterial roads in Tonbridge (as requested by residents in a recent
consultation), and make walking and cycling safe.

I have a personal interest in Special Educational Needs provision and feel that
this is an area where I could make a positive contribution.

KCC must manage its assets sensibly and for the benefit of residents so I will
oppose cuts to library opening hours and closures of branches, and press for
Tonbridge Library to be moved to the Angel Centre. I want to see solar panels on
KCC properties to generate electricity both for the buildings themselves and to
sell back to the grid.

I intend to encourage community action, such as litter-picking and the
development of community green spaces and wildflower verges. I also want to
set up forums where the people of Tonbridge can express their views so that KCC
can support our residents' aspirations to create a healthier, safer, and more prosperous community.