Slough desperately needs some new councillors with new approaches
Introducing Slough Lib Dems' team of high quality candidates for the May 2022 elections, Matthew Taylor local party chair and candidate for Cippenham Meadows said:
"It is crucial to elect some councillors onto Slough Council to promote cooperation and break away from the failed culture of Labour mismanagement and Tory irresponsibility. Slough Lib Dems have a team of candidates who will offer new, vitally needed approaches."
Amjad Abbasi (see left), Lib Dem candidate for Elliman ward added: "From my experience in running a business in Elliman Avenue, and as an economics graduate, I know the importance of counting effectively to ensure you have sufficient income to cover planned expenditure. Those would be very valuable skills and experiences to bring to Slough Council at this time of crisis, as well as a commitment to cooperate for the good of the community."
On the importance of collaboration and consultation, Matthew Taylor said:
"Greater cooperation and consultation are needed across the board in Slough Council. Nothing better illustrates the need for collaboration and consultation than the fiasco of the Labour councillors introducing the A4 bus lanes without prior consultation."
Finally, Matthew said:
"Key points from the biographies of the Lib Dem candidates show we have the experience, record and ability to make an important contribution on Slough Council at this time of crisis. Amjad Abbasi is well known in Elliman ward because he used to run a business on Elliman Avenue and would bring valuable skills and experience to improve Slough Council. Catharine Parkes is a long-term resident of the Haymill ward in which she is standing, and would bring considerable experience of the education service to Slough Council. Jo Hanney, a long-time resident of Langley/Upton, has had long experience of working with the community in Slough through professional and voluntary work in the health service, and is standing in her home ward, Upton. And as an architect who has lived in Slough for 16 years, I know the importance of sustainable development strategies, and the importance of consultation. I am standing again in Cippenham Meadows."
Below: list of Lib Dem candidates, followed by biographies of each :
- Cippenham Meadows: Matthew Taylor;
- Elliman: Amjad Abbasi;
- Haymill and Lynch Hill: Catharine Parkes;
- Upton: Josephine Hanney.
Cippenham Meadows Ward: Matthew Taylor
Matthew Taylor is an architect who has lived in Slough for 16 years with his wife and son. His experience with building projects locally gives him in-depth knowledge of the planning system and need for sustainable development strategies. With colleagues in Cippenham's Lib Dem Focus team he tackles issues including litter, fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and traffic. Matthew believes the failure of Slough's Labour-run Council to consult properly, for example over the bus lanes on the A4, weakens attempts to build consensus in favour of measures to boost sustainability. Cooperation on the Slough Council will be even more important in recovering from the disastrous financial crisis created by the mismanagement of the Labour leadership and the continuing irresponsibility of Slough Tories in playing politics rather than promoting responsible budgets. As a keen runner Matthew advocates exercise to improve mental and physical health.
Cippenham Meadows Focus co-editor
Contact: matthew.taylor@sloughlibdems.org.uk
Elliman Ward: Amjad Abbasi
Amjad Abbasi knows many people in Elliman Ward from when he ran a business in Elliman Avenue. As a businessman and economics graduate, Amjad would bring much needed expertise to Slough Borough Council, and recognise the need to count resources properly before making spending commitments. The Council has been so badly run by Slough Labour Party that it has the worst deficit ever in the UK. The Council will have to make cuts every year until 2029 that will be bigger than those seen anywhere else in the UK. As a community volunteer with the Royal Voluntary Service during the COVID pandemic, Amjad knows how important it is for people to work together for the good of the community. Given his background, Amjad strongly supports Slough Lib Dems' promise that if elected to Slough Council they will consult, count and cooperate effectively.
Elliman Ward Focus Editor
Email: elliman.ward@sloughlibdems.org.uk
Mobile: 07970 710188
Haymill and Lynch Hill: Catharine Parkes
Catharine and her family have lived in Haymill for 22 years. Catharine is an education researcher and has held various posts in the civil service and a research organisation, in addition to a voluntary role as a Governor in two local schools. Catharine has a passionate belief in the importance of educational opportunity for all children, and is angry that the financial failings of Slough's Labour-run Council will add to the existing pressures on schools budget from the Tory Government. She welcomes the Lib Dems' commitment to a much larger COVID recovery fund for schools than that proposed by the Tory Government. Catharine also strongly supports action to protect the environment and improve air quality by well implemented cycling and walking paths. As a councillor she would push Slough Council to measure the current air quality more thoroughly across the town, and properly consult on ways to bring improvements.
Email: catharine.parkes@sloughlibdems.org.uk
Haymill Ward email: haymill@sloughlibdems.org.uk
Upton Ward: Josephine Hanney
Josephine Hanney is married, and has lived in Langley/Upton for 36 years. She is involved in various community activities, including helping run the Langley carnival. For the last year she has been a regular volunteer at the vaccination centre at Langley Health Centre. She worked in the community in Slough for the NHS and leisure services, and believes the Tory Government should do more to help workers and pensioners during the cost of living crisis by measures such as cutting VAT. She believes the Lib Dems' commitment to improving key mental and social care services is now more important than ever. She knows from her own career the importance of joined-up policies to promote health and leisure, and believes it is essential that Slough Council makes better efforts to work with groups and voluntary sports clubs in the community to boost physical activity and well-being.
Email: jo.hanney@sloughlibdems.org.uk