I have experience as Cambridgeshire’s former Member of the European Parliament. As a longstanding resident and activist within Petersfield, I understand local issues and have the necessary specialist knowledge on the environment and social care, to be able to make a difference on the County, for the benefit of local people.

I’ve lived lived with my partner Diana and our two children in Petersfield, off Mill Road, for nearly twenty years. I use local shops and amenities, sent my children to St Paul’s and Parkside schools and have been active in the local community issues, from Cambridge Street Aid tackling homelessness to Petersfield Mutual Aid during the Covid pandemic. I am committed to the quality of life for the Petersfield community and everyone living here.

As longstanding Member of the European Parliament, I have a record of success, working with local organisations and demonstrating my dedication to public service. I backed local campaigns to protect welfare benefits for the most vulnerable, to promote good community relations with Cambridge’s diverse ethnic minority groups and winning funding to run local projects in education, research and the environment.

Brought up in a council house in a single parent family and the product of comprehensive education, my work has been in charities for people with disabilities and on the climate emergency. I am a lifelong campaigner for disability rights and would act as a County Councillor to challenge the crisis in social care. I will work to enable people who choose to live in their own homes, to do so in dignity and with the support they need.

In my professional life, I have spearheaded efforts for businesses to combat climate change and worked with locally based organisations including the Cambridge office of the United Nations Environment Programme and am also a Friend of the Cambridge Botanic Garden.

I’ve also supported Petersfield Labour councillors in opposing over-development locally, threatening air quality, and have defended our green spaces. I supported campaigns against plans which would destroy St Matthews Piece, and build out-sized office blocks on Hills Road and at Devonshire Gardens. When I was previously a councillor, I was a Chair of Planning, and am fully committed to working together with Petersfield Labour councillors to continue to protect the quality of our local environment. I believe any development should prioritise social housing for local people. Traffic management should promote safe streets for families, balanced with protecting Petersfield’s vibrant local shops and traders.

As your County Councillor, I will pursue a recovery plan from Covid for local people and businesses, a Real Living Wage for all low-paid workers, promote ‘Net Zero’ carbon emissions and tackle under-funding of local schools and social services. Vote for Labour’s Richard Howitt for a County Councillor who promises to serve the community, is committed to local consultation and who will be a strong voice for Petersfield in the County.