I would like to introduce myself as the Labour candidate for Bickenhill.

Full statement

I am a retired librarian and I have lived in Solihull for over 40 years. I am very active in the local community, including being a volunteer for Citizens Advice and a support assistant in adult education.

I believe strongly in giving something back to the community and that is why I am standing to be a Labour Councillor. I would like to make a real difference to people’s lives in Bickenhill and I would be a strong voice in the Council, fighting to get the best services for the residents.

Bickenhill is a diverse area, with a range of different problems. In particular, I would fight for an increase in affordable housing, so that young people especially could get on the housing ladder. I would also campaign for increased funding for youth services which have been decimated in the austerity years. Partly because of this, there has been a big increase in anti-social behaviour such as motor bike racing and fly tipping, which cause problems for local people.

The pandemic has made many of us consider what kind of life we want for ourselves and our community. What is the point of returning to the status quo, when the pandemic has highlighted the inequality endemic in our society? We need a more caring society with vibrant and well-funded public services to tackle fundamental problems and that is what I pledge to fight for.