Lynne Murray
Standing for Local Election: A Commitment to Community
I am honoured to stand as the Labour candidate in Hill Head for Fareham Council and in Fareham Crofton for Hampshire County Council.

Full statement

Prioritising Local Issues
Whilst national issues undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping our society, the reality is that local councillors have limited influence over them. My focus, therefore, is firmly on matters affecting our community. Although my actions are guided by Labour values, I am not driven by ideology alone; a good councillor always acts for the common good. It is also essential to have the experience and capability to challenge the Conservative dominance at both district and county levels, ensuring residents’ voices are heard and represented effectively.
Experience and Approach as a Councillor
Having previously served as a Labour councillor, I understand fully what it takes to be effective in this role. My approach is shaped by the following principles:
• visibility and accessibility are crucial. Residents need to know how to contact me, whether by email, WhatsApp, phone, text, X (formerly Twitter), or Facebook;
• listening carefully to people who seek assistance and doing everything possible to ensure they receive the help they need. In Ealing, where I served as a councillor for four years, I was recognised for my proactive problem-solving attitude;
• responding promptly to residents’ enquiries and diligently following up issues with council officers, keeping residents informed every step of the way. Simply passing concerns on is not enough – persistence and communication are key;
• knowing the local area inside out. I have spent considerable time walking around, engaging with people on their doorsteps or when out and about (often while delivering leaflets!);
• attending council meetings well prepared, particularly on financial matters, which are vital during these uncertain times and with ongoing cost-of-living pressures. As a minority councillor, I will not simply rubber-stamp decisions;
• understanding how local government functions. My background as a solicitor representing public bodies, including local authorities, equips me well for this role.
Contributions to Local Campaigns
In addition to my experience as a councillor, I have a proven track record of participating in, contributing towards and helping to lead local campaigns:
• provided legal insight to oppose development of the strategic gap on Old Street;
• used my expertise as a lawyer to benefit the community by securing a Grade II listing for Haven Cottage with Historic England, and by successfully nominating Haven House and the Stubbington Study Centre as assets of community value;
• played active roles in two major campaigns – Save Our Haven Centre! and Save Stubbington Study Centre.
Key Priorities
The main priorities I intend to focus on as your councillor are:
• protecting our strategic gaps;
• addressing council tax and cost-of-living issues;
• close scrutiny of council revenue and capital funding budgets and plans, in particular those relating to Fareham’s town centre regeneration plans and Daedalus ;
• close monitoring of Fareham’s progress towards net zero;
• lobbying strongly to make sure that housing on the MOD Seafield estate receives its fair share of funding under the Government’s Home for Heroes programme;
• monitoring and reporting on potholes and the general state of local roads;
• lobbying for funds for social and affordable housing for local residents from the Government’s Social and Affordable Housing Programme;
• monitoring the discharge of untreated sewage into our bathing waters by Southern Water and reporting incidents;
• safeguarding Fareham residents’ interests and community assets, such as the Haven and the Stubbington Study Centre, during the transition to a new unitary authority under local government reorganisation
Promoted by D Rodgers on behalf of Lynne Murray and Hill Head and Stubbington Labour, all of 179 Forton Road Gosport PO12 3HB