● What am I about?

Issue based politics.

Full statement

This means my policies depend on the issue. I will use critical thinking, research and consultation to determine policy. I am not on the political spectrum. Not left, centre or right.

Protecting Arbury Court playpark (true also for the Liberals, Labour and Greens. Sorry, this should not help you decide. The Conservatives and Reform were not at the hustings so I do not know their stances).

Building a community centre (location to be determined).

Increasing the amount of green space (very obviously necessary having litterpicked and leafleted every reachable household).

Supporting building affordable homes. However, we must ALSO address all the abandoned and empty ones.

The nitty-gritty: public toilets, litter, bins, recycling, flytipping (prosecution needed), improving residents' parking schemes, potholes (the last two are county council responsibilities but I can advocate on them).

Action. There is too much party-politics. Let's try for consensus if possible and make improvements.

Eco-minded but not one-sided.

Meeting voters, listening properly then acting on it.

No doorknocking canvassing. It is your home. People have come out to talk to me.

I firmly believe the University of Cambridge and some huge corporations in Cambridge should morally do more for the city of Cambridge. They could easily sort out potholes, cracked pavements, add planters etc.

This does not absolve councils' responsibilities. Almost no one wants to pay more council tax (I have met some who want to. I listen).

To be 100% clear I am not asking small, medium or even large companies to contribute more. I have contacted ARM and AstraZeneca but no replies. They do have CSR budgets....

I will fight for all businesses in West Chesterton. I have tried to talk to you all. Thank you for your views on Business rates. In simple terms, the more successful you are the more you can employ.

I understand how hard it is for many young people in my ward. Getting your first job, the high cost of rent, the dream of owning your own property and university fees (I can't do much about the latter but I can advocate).

● Who am I?

An ex-student of Chesterton Community College.

Live in West Chesterton.

Volunteer (including at a food hub) and/or litterpick 365 days a year.

Never been a member of a political party.

Always struggle to choose who to vote for.

Love recycling. Have reached 4th in the world on the Plovie app.

Enjoy encouraging people to recycle and be more green on my Instagram eco_nick1

Taught English for 18 years (6 in 🇲🇾 and 2 in 🇨🇳). Conversational level of Chinese.

Masters in 'Environment and Development'.

● What do I do as a citizen?

Report flytipping. Hundreds every year in Cambridgeshire whilst out on my bike.

I don't report potholes anymore. We need resurfacing. They just rapidly come back. It is a waste of precious resources. I have contacted M group (I believe they have the county council contract) to ask them key questions including how long they guarantee their work for. No reply. I am used to this.

Aiming to be West Chesterton's first ever Independent (according to the records from 1973).

I wish you the best with your decision in this important vote.

I encourage you to be brave and not vote tactically. Then democracy works....to a degree (beyond the scope of this).

I want to say so much more but I end this here.

Nick

nickpictonindependentwchest@gmail.com

I promise to reply.