These are our Guildford candidates in the County Council elections on 4 May. They are standing on a manifesto which prioritises:
Please support your Green candidate!
Neil is an Ash resident and a teacher who works for a local conservation organisation supporting schools in connecting children to nature and promoting environmental awareness. As a former local authority education advisor and a trustee of an international development charity, he passionately believes in the need for communities everywhere to become more sustainable.
Neil is concerned by the numerous challenges facing residents especially on cuts to services, local jobs and the continual problem of flooding in the area. Neil’s priorities are to fight austerity cuts including protecting schools, divesting from fossil fuels, campaigning for affordable non-greenbelt housing for all and supporting local jobs and businesses in building a green economy.
Sam grew up in Guildford and works at Surrey University. A founding member of the Guildford & East Waverley Greens, he has campaigned on local issues for many years, most recently to protect Surrey Wildlife Trust, which looks after our county’s green spaces. Surrey-wide, Sam is particularly concerned about cuts to public services, development and drilling in our beautiful countryside and the recent shambles over SCC’s budget.
His key issues for Guildford East are preventing attacks on social care (a lifeline for elderly and disabled residents), opposing £1m cuts to local schools, investing in transport (including finally fixing our roads properly – not just cheaply refilling holes every few months!) and better involving local residents in decision-making.
Paul lives in Guildford with his family, the youngest being born at the Royal Surrey last year. He has been a scientist at the University of Surrey since 2000. In that time, local and national policies have only made things significantly worse for many, particularly the younger generation, resulting in reduced quality of life for those that are not in the wealthy elite.
Paul is a Green Party member because of their commitment to stop austerity, oppose the Tory government, provide affordable housing and enable access to education for all. He supports evidence-based policies promoting quality of life - from transport systems that work for all users to better investment in local facilities. As a Green councillor Paul will be a progressive voice for a sustainable future.
Mark has lived in Guildford for 11 years. Having graduated from the University of Surrey and worked for the Royal Surrey County Hospital, he is passionate in his support of both institutions, particularly in a time where they come under financial pressure from the loss of EU funding and Tory cuts.
Mark is a founder of our local group, and in the past five years has been involved with campaigns across Surrey. He has stood against cuts to bus services, the controversial development of Newlands Corner, and the Solum railway station development plan that fell far short of Guildford’s need for affordable housing.
Jo has lived in Surrey since 1980, and has worked with families and disadvantaged people for nearly 40 years. She is well aware of the effects that policy changes can have on the most vulnerable, and is strongly opposed to unfair austerity cuts. Jo is keen to see honest and ethical Green Party policies implemented for the sake of our environment, our children and more sustainable livelihoods. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside watching wildlife and organic gardening.
Ann James has lived in Surrey for 50 years. She is standing for the Green Party because it is the only party with a realistic alternative to this government’s disastrous austerity policy. Green councillors have a track record of working constructively with other parties to get things done. They are open and honest in their work to bring about a fairer society. They listen to the people they represent with an open mind. Surrey really needs more councillors who will scrutinise and question the proposals put before them, rather than simply go along with the majority.
Fran is a Surrey resident who has brought up three children here. She is an educationalist, with considerable experience in secondary and higher education across Surrey and Hampshire. She opposes education cuts and the privatisation of education services.
As a committed Green supporter, she believes that environmental and social concerns are closely linked. She believes the council should build genuinely affordable social housing to environmentally sustainable standards, whilst protecting the greenbelt. Public transport is a priority and she opposes the closure of Guildford bus station.
If elected, she would seek opportunities to push central government to fully fund social care and would work to reverse plans for fracking in the Surrey Hills, acting with transparency and accountability.
Vicki has campaigned for the protection of the Surrey countryside for many years. Her work for environmental charities has given her expertise in supporting the local economy and green jobs, while ensuring a good quality of life for local communities and the environment they depend on. She has been engaged in campaigns on affordable housing and protecting the Green Belt from development. Her current priority is opposing oil drilling in Surrey. She loves walking and the beautiful rural areas and villages we have locally.
Eugene has lived in Surrey for 17 years. During that time, he has seen our precious greenbelt has come under more and more pressure. Eugene believes we need affordable and sustainable homes, better support for elderly people, improved public spaces and safer, more pleasant walking and cycling routes.
If elected he will work towards these issues as well as supporting producers of local and welfare-friendly food, opposing oil drilling and fracking, and encouraging renewable energy generation.
