I am a father and full time carer to my disabled son, I have experienced the consequences of cuts to public services and know that Basildon deserves better! I will fight for funding for roads, education and safe green spaces, as well as warm, affordable homes.

Full statement

Like many SEN parents in Essex, I am concerned about the lack of resources and spaces at special needs schools. We are currently waiting on a SEND Tribunal in 2027 to contest the councils refusal to allocate my sons placement. SEND Tribunals rule 98% of cases in favour of the parents. In 2022, Essex County Council spent £566,299 fighting cases they know they are going to lose. If elected, I will fight to stop this waste of time and money and propose this money is spent on Class spaces. I will fight for you as parents to help you get the education your child deserves. Opening up more spaces in special need schools will then help mainstream education as teachers are spending more time on education for all children.

With my background of Automotive Engineering and mechanics, I am concerned with the potholes and the ‘fixes’ done in Basildon. I will fight to have our roads fixed properly rather than quick fixes to potholes that have come back when winter comes round. Our road are being neglected and require more than filling in the potholes. Potholes are having a big environmental impact with the increased amount of tyres and car parts needing changed sooner and the extra fuel used.

I will fight to protect our green spaces and help make them accessible for all. To make environmental conservation a key goal. Our green areas also have a huge impact on our mental health and wellbeing. I will help keep the local environment on the agenda to help keep us happier and healthier. Keeping green spaces available to all and safe is a huge priority to me.

Basildon needs more Council homes, which I will push for. Luxury homes owned by foreign business interests are taking money out of the Essex economy. Many people feel that these developments are to line councillors pockets and do not help with the housing crisis. Many residents find themselves evicted by private landlords and the council will not help unless they are homeless. More and more people are forced into temporary accommodation outsourced and being charged exorbitant fees to Basildon council. We need to stop these predatory landlords milking off the council taxpayer. I will push for building mainly social housing, end of using private landlords and improve help for people facing eviction.