[Statement from 4th May election] I am standing for election in my home ward of thirty years because I strongly believe that working at a local level we can achieve a more just, fair and sustainable society.

Full statement

In my working life I worked for a homeless charity for thirteen years. I also worked at the then Odeon cinema on London Road for a short time, supported the Save Our Cinema campaign, and was very pleased when it re-opened as the Odyssey.

It's time for change nationally and locally. Since the Conservatives came to power we have sadly seen increased poverty and homelessness, damage to our NHS and public services and a crisis in the cost of living. The Labour vote is increasing in St Peters. The Tories finished in last place in 2022, they cannot win here.

There is no effective opposition in our Lib Dem District Council with just six other councillors. In addition, the St Peters Green and the Lib Dems have sometimes agreed not to oppose each other at local elections in recent years.

A Labour voice is needed. Labour will always raise the most difficult issues facing the council, such as provision of truly affordable social housing. People cannot move on from their temporary accommodation due to inability to pay local rents and ultimately have to uproot their lives and leave St Albans.

The financial challenges facing all councils are largely the result of years of austerity and the loss of three quarters of all government funding. This started with the coalition government of 2010 which included the Lib Dems, something they would rather you forgot. Even in these difficult times, Labour councils such as Stevenage make sure the needs of the most vulnerable residents are prioritised, whilst maintaining standards of service for everyone as best they can with limited resources.

Vote for David Byatt on 4th May.