Meet your Reading 2021 election candidates (west)

We’ve split the 16 wards up into four. Here are your candidates for the wards in west Reading (Kentwood, Norcot, Southcote and Tilehurst).

Kentwood

READ MORE: Every Reading Borough Council candidate

Daya Pal Singh (Labour)

Daya Pal Singh Labour Kentwood

“Councillor Daya Pal Singh is the Labour candidate for Kentwood ward, where he has been a councillor since 2012.  Cllr Singh is a local businessman and hardworking local campaigner who successfully lobbied for improvements to Tilehurst station.  If re-elected he pledges to campaign to get lifts added to Tilehurst Station, work hard to protect local services and facilities, especially green spaces, and speak up for the local people of Kentwood ward.”

Nick Fudge (Conservative)

Nick Fudge Conservartive Kentwood

“Nick has lived in Reading for over 36 years and is standing for the Kentwood ward.  A proactive and committed campaigner, Nick is passionate about sorting out local issues including anti-social behaviour, fly tipping, broken amenities and poor road surfaces. He regularly makes reports to the council and can frequently be seen litter picking around Reading. Nick is also keen to preserve and protect Reading’s environment, heritage and green spaces for future generations.”

Anthea West (Green)

Anthea West Green Kentwood

“Anthea West is the candidate for Kentwood ward. She has lived in West Reading for three years, and in Wokingham for many years before that. Before retiring, she worked in IT at Thames Valley Park, and later lectured part-time at Reading University. She has a particular interest in social care issues, for both children and adults, and has volunteered for Home-Start and for the Berkshire Credit Union.”

Gary Coster (Liberal Democrats)

Gary Coster Kentwood Lib Dems

“After living in Kentwood for 10 years along with the Liberal Democrat councillors in Tilehurst, Gary has been giving support to local residents through casework in the ward.  He supports local government representation by local people – support him on May 6th and Kentwood will gain a hard-working local champion.”

Norcot

READ MORE: Reading local election 2021 swing seats and battles

Jo Lovelock (Labour)

Jo Lovelock Norcot Labour

“Councillor Jo Lovelock is standing as the Labour candidate for Norcot ward.  Cllr Lovelock was leader of Reading Council until 2019 and was a teacher at a local special school before she retired.  She is a well-known local figure with a long history or representing the residents of Norcot.  If re-elected she pledges to tackle parking and speeding problems and to ensure the completion of the Dee Park Regeneration project, including a new Community Centre.”

Zachary Okeyo (Conservative)

Zachary Okeyo Conservative Norcot

“Zachary Osano Okeyo is standing for the Norcot ward.  He is passionate and determined to sort out issues in the local community and believes the residents of Norcot have been let down by the Labour-controlled council.  Tackling anti-social behaviour, fly tipping and poor road surfaces are particularly important.  He also believes that it shouldn’t be forgotten that the council has been entrusted to spend taxpayer’s money so it should always be spent wisely.”

Richard Walkem (Green)

We have not yet received information about Green Party candidate Richard Walkem.

Lib Dem: James Moore (Liberal Democrats)

James Moore Norcot Lib Dems

“James has lived in Reading for over 10 years and works for a well-known toy retailer. His priorities if elected will be glass kerbside recycling and safer local roads. He has already been successful in petitioning for, and gaining a 20mph limit on his own road and wants to help residents get the same in their area. James was until recently the Chair of the Reading & Mid-Berkshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which successfully runs one of the largest beer festivals in the country here in our town.”

Neil Adams (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)

We have not yet been able to get information for Neil Adams, a candidate for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.

Liberal Party: Stephen Graham

Stephen Graham Liberal Party Norcot

“Stephen Graham is the Liberal Party candidates in Norcot Ward. He has lived locally for over 8 years and works in the life science industry in central Reading. He grew up in East Anglia and studied IT at Lowestoft and Norwich colleges in the mid-80s before holding related jobs in the West Midlands, Newbury, and Bracknell.”

Southcote

Debs Edwards (Labour)

Debs Edwards Labour Southcote

“Councillor Debs Edwards is the Labour candidate in Southcote ward.  Cllr Edwards is chair of the Licensing Committee, a school governor and has been Mayor of Reading.  If re-elected she pledges to support increased building of affordable housing in Southcote, to continue to work at keeping Southcote Linear Park free of fly tipping and rubbish and to work.”

Gabriella Kirkby (Conservative)

Gabriella Kirkby Conservative Southcote

“Gabriella moved to Reading from Gibraltar eight years ago to attend university. After five years of studying, achieving both a BA and an MA.  She has worked for MPs in both Reading and Newbury. With a keen interest in tackling anti-social behaviour and improving children’s education, Gabriella is looking to be elected as a councillor in order to represent the interests of Southcote residents.”

Asad Feroz (Green)

We have yet received information about Green Party candidate Asad Feroz.

Riccardo Mancuso-Marcello (Liberal Democrats)

Riccardo Mancuso Southcote Lib Dems

“Riccardo has been living in Reading for over ten years and works for a global children’s charity, helping protect children’s rights. Riccardo believes every child should have the same opportunities in life, and will work to address inequality in education and help tackle increased homelessness in Reading.

Tilehurst

Inderbir Singh (Labour)

Inderbir Singh Labour Tilehurst

“Inderbir Singh is the Labour candidate in Tilehurst ward. He is enjoying campaigning in Tilehurst and if elected pledges to tackle parking and speeding concerns in the area, support residents, the council and the police to tackle anti-social behaviour in Tilehurst Triangle and to work with the council to invest more money to tackle pot-holes and to do further road improvements.”

Jay Varley (Conservative)

Jay Varley Conservative Tilehurst

“Jay Varley lives in Tilehurst and has three children, one of which is disabled.  She is also studying business management with the Open University.  She is standing for the Tilehurst ward, and if elected wants to make sure that Council resources are used more effectively, where they are most needed.  She is keen to see an increase in funding for school and community projects, such as gardening projects, which make a real difference to young people and the wider community.”

Gabriel Berry-Khan (Green)

“Gabriel Berry-Khan first moved to Reading in 2002 and now lives in Tilehurst village. He graduated in Physics and later (at Reading University) Renewable Energy. He has since also trained in air quality and flood risk, now working in local government and private consultancy. Outside of work, his main pursuits include raising a young family plus (time permitting) football, gardening, and mountaineering. He is passionately interested in how government and business can help all of us make positive choices that benefit themselves, wider society, and the natural world.”

Jen Bottom (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)

We have not yet been able to get information for Neil Adams, a candidate for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.

Meri O’Connell (Liberal Democrats)

Meri O\'Connell Tilehurst Lib Dems

“Meri is a local secondary school teacher, primary school governor, mum of three, and Tilehurst councillor on Reading Borough Council since 2012.  Her previous career was in youth work and she is passionate about giving young people the right start in life.  She has a strong record of achievement and delivery for her constituents, working tirelessly all year round for Tilehurst.”