I have lived in Merton since the 1980s and as a child witnessed the loss of the last big local industries and manufacturing like Connolly's Leather and the demolition of the Tandem metal works.

Full statement

I attended local schools and developed an early interest in the environment and public planning in 1998. In 1999 I represented Rutlish School as a pupil on the council's Environment and Safety Forum. I'm hugely grateful to the teachers and mentors I've had.

I have had a variety of jobs from working as a carer, a TNT postman, a school learning support assistant in two schools, working in a supermarket, and in market research.

In 2021 I became aware just how bad the affordable housing crisis in Merton had got when I rented a bedroom at Amity Hostel in Wimbledon, owned by the same billionaire family as Colliers Wood tower via the Isle of Man. I witnessed a bailiff officer come in about unpaid business rates, and learnt that the same council used the hostel for 15 homeless clients in 2022 in awful conditions. Merton spends millions on temporary housing. Today, two people are sleeping outdoors in Colliers Wood Sainsburys yard!

Social housing has been massively cut and sold off over 46 years. The parties currently on our council supported and permitted demolishing peoples' homes on three former Merton Council estates and building over 2,000 non-'affordable' new homes in timed phases, whilst only increasing the social rent homes there by 35-40. We have a social housing waiting list of 11,000 people! Whilst existing residents get a supposed like for like replacement home, a majority polled on two estates didn't want this scheme.
In 2008, 35 pence in every £1 pound of Merton council-home tenant rent (£9million pounds a year) was being taken away to 'more needy parts of the country' despite poverty in Merton! All whilst bailing out 'the banksters' with £158 billion in 2008. So, in 2009 cross-council decision happened to transfer Merton Council's 6,000 council homes to a housing association rather than lobby the housing minister! 
Cuts 'savings' are proposed from services this year, and the current majority party are trying to push child and adolescent mental health on to the NHS. As a councillor I would oppose all cuts and refuse to support cuts.

I could not remain silent on housing at this election, so I'm standing as your Independent candidate. As someone powerlessly evicted I extend solidarity to the Palestinians being evicted from their farms and homes all the time. I believe in a fairer world, and having representatives with principles here, in government, and abroad. Remember you have 3 votes, so if you vote for me use two other votes for other candidates.