25 years is a long time in politics

Ali Powell • Published 5 Feb 2009 12:00 0 Comments

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TWENTY five years of political history was celebrated in style when Reading West MP Martin Salter marked his landmark anniversary with a party for 200 guests.

People who have played a part in Mr Salter's life, career and campaigns over the past quarter of a century were treated to an impromptu live performance of hit single Teenage Kicks by guest and former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey. Sir John Madejski presented Mr Salter with a Reading FC number 25 shirt signed by all the players, and former local Labour Party heavyweights John Howarth and David Sutton also made speeches during the event at the South Street Arts Centre.

Mr Salter said: "It was a fantastic night and I'd like to thank everyone who came. It wasn't even about me, it was about saying thank you and for recognising everyone's contribution to Reading over the past 25 years."

Mr Salter was born in Middlesex 54 years ago but moved to Elgar Road in Katesgrove in 1980. He said: "Believe it or not I came to Reading because it was a cheap place to buy a house and because I fancied the idea of going fishing from my back garden. I didn't know a soul here and I had no plans to become a councillor, much less an MP." But running a successful campaign with local parents to reinstate a holiday playscheme budget led him to stand for Reading Borough Council in January 1984.

As Park ward councillor he also spent nine years as deputy leader before standing down in 1996 to fight the Reading West parliamentary seat, winning it at the 1997 General Election and successfully defending it twice since.

He said: "Ultimately it is for others to judge what I might have achieved, but we've clearly had some successes. Above everything else I have been privileged to be able to work with a fantastic group of people who were ambitious for our town and its people."

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 05 Feb 09

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