The Reading Liberal Democrats have launched their local election campaign with a candidate announcement for the 2026 borough council elections.
A full slate of seventeen Liberal Democrat candidates are standing to demand a fair deal for Reading, from Abbey to Whitley.
Reading's diverse and vibrant communities have been badly let down by decades of Labour and Conservative mismanagement. The Reading Liberal Democrats are delighted to offer an alternative to them, and to the divisive politics of Reform.
Councillor Meri O'Connell, the incumbent Liberal Democrat candidate for Tilehurst, said: “I'm delighted to lead the field of Liberal Democrat candidates in Britain's largest town, and I have great confidence in the strength of our full slate this year.
“Labour has run the council for 39 of the last 40 years.
“Having spent so long blaming Conservative governments for their shortcomings, with Keir Starmer's Labour Party now in government in Westminster too, there is nowhere for Labour to hide in Reading any more.
“We believe there is another way, and with Reform organising across the country, it is vital that progressive, Liberal voices stand up and are counted.
“And Reading is crying out for more Liberal voices on its council. From Abbey to Whitley and everywhere in between, we have a diverse team of candidates raring to go to deliver for their communities.
“So wherever you live in Reading, know that a vote for us is a vote for a champion for your local area who will stand up for you and get things done.”
The Liberal Democrats have urged voters to remember to bring a valid voter ID to the polling station with them on Thursday, May 7, and to check the Electoral Commission website to see what forms of ID are valid and how you can get them for free.
Speaking for the party, cllr Meri O'Connell said they “deplore” the last Conservative government's “pointless waste of public funds” on voter ID, which they say has robbed thousands of their democratic voice.
You can see the Lib Dem candidates for each ward below:
- Henry Wright – Abbey
- John Grout – Battle
- Anthony Spencer – Caversham
- Vania Costa‑Krol – Caversham Heights
- Jo Ramsay – Caversham Heights
- Mark Cole – Church
- Christopher Ward – Coley
- Nishikant Gupta – Emmer Green
- Sarah Dobson – Katesgrove
- Jibril Al‑Nahabani – Kentwood
- Brandon Masih – Norcot
- Jassien Sabri – Park
- Christopher Wilson – Redlands
- Benjamin Sims – Southcote
- Christopher Burden – Thames
- Meri O’Connell – Tilehurst
- Pieter De Boiserie – Whitley
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