I want to stand as a candidate because I believe local government should focus on delivering the basics properly and efficiently, and that is increasingly not what many residents in Thames Ward and the wider Reading area are experiencing.

Full statement

Through both my professional experience and my day-to-day life locally, I see the impact of systems that are under pressure and not always delivering. Whether it is the rising cost of living, housing pressures, transport reliability, or access to services, people are feeling that things are becoming harder while getting less in return.

Working in a safety-critical, public-facing role within the rail industry, I deal with real-world problems every day, from disruption, vulnerable passengers, antisocial behaviour, and the need to make decisions quickly and responsibly. That experience has given me a clear understanding of how important it is for systems to work properly, because when they don’t, it directly affects people’s lives.

In my role as a Union Health and Safety Representative, I represent colleagues, raise concerns, and work constructively with management to improve safety and working conditions. This has reinforced the importance of accountability, transparency, and addressing issues early before they escalate.

My approach to local government is built on three principles: practical delivery, financial responsibility, and long-term thinking. I believe councils must move away from simply reacting to problems and instead take a more strategic, investment-led approach. One that generates sustainable income, reduces long-term costs, and reinvests directly into frontline services.

That means focusing not just on today’s pressures, but on building a council that is financially resilient and capable of delivering consistently for future generations.

Locally, that translates into clear, practical priorities:
• Fixing congestion and improving traffic flow at known problem junctions
• Delivering visible improvements in cleanliness, waste collection, and street maintenance
• Increasing transparency so residents can see what is being fixed, where, and when
• Taking a more preventative, long-term approach to housing and homelessness
• Investing in infrastructure and services that support working residents and key workers
• Improving community safety through visible enforcement and early intervention
• Protecting our local environment, including the River Thames and River Kennet, while improving air quality

I also believe the council should do more to generate its own income. Through investment in housing, energy, infrastructure, and the local economy, reducing long-term pressure on council tax while improving services.

I am not a career politician. I come from a working, professional background and understand the pressures facing ordinary people across the Ward and Reading. I want to bring a practical, common-sense approach to local government, one that is focused on delivery, accountability, and measurable outcomes.

Reform UK to me represents an opportunity to challenge the status quo and refocus local government on what matters most: the people it serves.

I am also a husband and father to two daughters who have struggled through education due to late identification and a lack of support for special educational needs. That experience has given me a personal understanding of the challenges many families face, and it strengthens my commitment to improving early intervention, support, and outcomes for children locally.