I am standing for Waverley Western Villages because I care deeply about this community and I have already had the privilege of serving it.

Full statement

I was first elected to represent my neighbours in Binscombe in a by-election in 2021 and that experience has only strengthened my commitment to fighting for the people who live here.

I grew up in South Africa during the transition from Apartheid to democracy under Nelson Mandela and attended one of the country's first non-racial schools. That experience shaped my belief in social justice, democratic accountability and the idea that politics should genuinely serve people. I came to the UK for what was supposed to be a gap year and somehow never left. My husband and I moved to Binscombe in 2019 and it quickly became home. I currently teach in a secondary school in Woking and see every day the pressures that families are facing.

The state of our natural environment is a great concern for many of us and something I feel strongly about. Native species are in decline, ecosystems are being polluted and biodiversity is decreasing. I also see firsthand in my work the impact of underfunded schools and the struggle families face when the right support for their children is not there.

What I will work towards

If elected I will:

• Promote habitat restoration and create nature corridors to protect the biodiversity of our local area
• Ensure we have the right people and resources in place to manage our green spaces for everyone
• Make sure SEND provisions in our schools are properly funded so that no family has to fight for the support their child needs
• Help our communities grow closer together by supporting local initiatives for young people including sports, arts and culture
• Give greater support to our key workers and push to improve access to sustainable energy for all

This is a beautiful part of the world and I will dedicate myself to keeping it that way.