I’ve been away from North Tyneside for several years, including four years when I served as a Green councillor in Brighton & Hove, but I was born and brought up in North Shields and I have always been passionate about the place and its heritage.

Full statement

When the opportunity came to move back at the start of 2023, I was excited to return and since then, I have been involved in the local community and groups. There is a lot going on in the town, but I don’t think it’s always well-advertised, and there is more that I’d like to be done.

The next few years is an exciting time for North Shields, with the 800th anniversary of North Shields in 2025 and further investment planned in the town and regardless of the election, I still intend to be active in North Shields. However, I’m standing to offer the people of North Shields an alternative, independent voice after decades of Labour councillors representing the area, and would promise to be a hard-working, community minded councillor who listens to local voices and acts on their concerns rather than taking the party line.