With the local elections just a few weeks away, we asked all the parties and candidates to send over a photo and introduction to tell you who they are and why you should vote for them.
We’ve split the 16 wards up into fours. Here are your candidates for the wards in the east and south of Reading (Park, Redlands, Church and Whitley).
Park
READ MORE: Every Reading Borough Council candidate
Amjad Tarar (Labour)
Amjad Tarar Park Labour
“Amjad Tarar a qualified lawyer and is the Labour and Co-operative candidate for Park ward where he is a local resident and campaigner for the Labour Party. His commitment to the local community is strong, as is shown in the different ways he has been helping residents. If elected he pledges to tackle drug related issues through collaboration with the local police and residents and raise awareness for better physical and mental health.”
Abi Jones (Conservative)
Abi Jones Conservative Park
“Having worked in and around Park Ward for three years I have had the opportunity to speak to many residents and to get to understand the issues the area faces. During my time at Reading University here I have always defended and advocated Conservative values, which I not only believe are essential for alleviating the growing injustices in society but are essential for uniting our community.”
Brenda McGonigle (Green)
Brenda Mcgonigle Green Park
“Cllr Brenda McGonigle is the candidate for Park Ward where she has lived for many years and is currently a councillor. Brenda is a qualified hairdresser and a keen gardener. In Park Ward it will be between the Green Party and Labour. If re-elected Brenda will continue to work hard all year round with Cllr Rob White and Cllr Josh Williams to campaign to protect the Thames Side, supporting residents in need and working to tidy up the local area.”
Chris Dodson (Liberal Democrats)
Chris Dodson Park Lib Dems
“Chris Dodson is a retired chartered accountant and international businessman. He is passionate about creating a clean environment as well as a fair, equal and just society for all those living in Reading. His special interest is in fair representation where every voice will be heard and counted.”
Redlands
Andrew Hornsby-Smith (Labour)
Andrew Hornsby Smith Redlands Labour
“Andrew Hornsby-Smith is the Labour and Co-operative candidate for Redlands. He campaigned for the active travel and road safety measures recently brought in. If elected he pledges support for people affected by the aftermath of Covid-19 – more help with mental health and an advice service for those threatened with eviction from a rented home. He will be working to eliminate fly-tipping from our ward and to ensure the successful completion of the new swimming pool in Palmer Park.”
Francis Jakeman (Liberal Democrats)
Francis Jakeman Redlands Lib Dems
“Francis is a church minister and chairs the True Food Co-op in Emmer Green. He is passionate about the environment, transport and civil rights. If elected he will be a passionate voice for the environment and the under-represented. He has taken a keen interest in developments along the Rivers Thames and Kennet and is a tireless local campaigner.”
Shekhar Natarajan (Conservative)
Shekhar Natarajan Conservative Redlands
“My name is Shekhar Natarajan and I work in the medical field. I feel very fortunate to have been able to serve the town’s patients and healthcare community for more than 20 years, especially during the present pandemic. I have lived in Reading for over 12 years now and I absolutely love this place. My children go to the local primary and secondary school. I love nature, I walk and cycle with my family whenever possible. As a parent, I’m very aware of the issues faced by local families such as the need for better road safety and the lack of sufficient pedestrian crossings.”
David McElroy (Green)
David Mcelroy Green Redlands
“David McElroy is the candidate for Redlands Ward. He lives in Reading with his young family. David works for greener food and is a keen cyclist. In Redlands it will be between the Green Party and Labour. If elected David will continue to work hard all year round alongside Cllr Jamie Whitham in Redlands Ward supporting residents, campaigning for safer roads and working to tidy up Redlands.”
Church
Mark Cole (Liberal Democrats)
Mark Cole Church Lib Dems
“Dr Mark Cole is a teacher of Sociology at a Grammar school in Burnham and an experienced examiner. His research interests have focused on the participation of young people in politics, and he is keen to widen participation in the political process. He is married with three teenage children.”
Kathryn McCann (Green)
Kat Mccann Green Church
“Kathryn McCann has lived in Reading since 2007 and in Church ward since 2014. She is a freelance marketing copywriter, specialising in helping ethical organisations get their messages across. She also manages Reading Farmers’ Market and volunteers for local social enterprises Ethical Reading and Junction Arch Heritage & Arts (JAHA). She is passionate about community cohesion and would love to do more to tackle local issues including traffic congestion and air pollution.”
Ashley Pearce (Labour)
Ashley Pearce Labour Church
“Councillor Ashley Pearce is the Labour candidate for Church ward, where he has been a councillor since 2014. Cllr Pearce has lived in Reading all his life, from attending Blagdon nursery to the University. He is an Economics teacher at a local comprehensive school and is the lead councillor for Education. If re-elected he pledges to continue working with Reading schools to improve standards and to help Reading Council meet its target to be carbon neutral by 2030.”
Adam Phelps (Conservative)
Adam Phelps Conservative Church
“I am very proud to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for Church Ward. I have called Reading home for over twenty years, first coming to the area as a student to study at the University. I live in the town with my wife and young daughter and like many parents I am kept very busy juggling the happy demands of work and home life, including home schooling during the COVID 19 pandemic. Reading is a great place to live and work and it can be even better. There is no doubt that the council can deliver services much more efficiently and provide residents with much better value for money.”
Whitley
Alice Mpofu-Coles (Labour)
Alice Mpofu Coles Labour Whitley
“Alice Mpofu-Coles is the Labour and Co-operative candidate for Whitley. She is a former care worker and social worker and is currently studying for her doctorate research degree. She is an active community member and trustee of several local charities. If elected she pledges to work with local communities, local schools, colleges, and the university to foster greater cooperation and advocate for better physical and mental health, including social care services for the elderly and those living with disabilities.”
Bala Sani (Independent)
"My name is Bala Sani. I believe in hard work and so have been able to walk my way through a humble Working-Class background to Upper-Middle Class. I have lived in Whitley uninterrupted for all my years as an immigrant and a citizen actively interacting with both the native and immigrant constituents. This abundant understanding of the plight of races and classes of people of Whitley stands me in good stead as the best candidate to represent the aspirations of the people of Whitley at the council. Alternatively, our friends in the Labour Party, Conservatives and other political parties are trying to sneak a non-Whitley resident to decide for us how to manage our affairs. No, but thanks."
Elizabeth Sheppard (Conservative)
“Elizabeth has lived in Reading for 20 years. She is standing for the Whitley ward and is particularly passionate about education and life chances for young people. She believes every child should go to a good school and if elected would champion the needs of all local residents.”
Kathy Smith (Green)
“Kathy Smith has recently retired from her job as an IT Support Officer at Bracknell Forest Council. Her interests include walking and renovating her house in Reading. She also grows vegetables on her allotment which she tries to make attractive to insects and wildlife. If elected she will work to improve the environment for Reading residents and push the council to help tackle climate change.”
Ian Westby (Liberal Democrats)
Ian Westby Whitley Lib Dems
“Ian is an IT professional and got into politics out of a desire to create a fairer society. The first step towards this is creating a system of voting where every vote matters at every level of government. In Reading, he feels our greatest concerns are getting affordable housing built, supporting small local businesses to survive the pandemic and thrive after it, and to reduce vehicle emissions throughout the town.”
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