From 2006 to 2010, I was a councillor for Lee Green ward in the London Borough of Lewisham. During that time, I blogged regularly and in 2009 I won the Tim Garden Award for the Best Blog by a Liberal Democrat Holding Public Office. My blog posts from my term of office are archived here in case they prove of use to former constituents, or to those who share my annoyance with faulty street furniture
Those of you who’ve received our latest FOCUS leaflet will know that I’m not standing for re-election at the local elections which take place on May 6th. However, I’m really pleased that there’s a strong local Lib Dem team ready to fight for our area and continue the work Paul, Sven and I have started.
Paul is also taking this opportunity to stand down, but Sven is re-standing, and will be joined by Jim Caple – who’s been editing our local FOCUS newsletters – and Pauline Beck, who is a former chair of the Leybridge Tenants Association. Pauline, Jim and Sven will be a really strong team for our area.
For my part, the decision to stand down has been a bit of a wrench. I’ve really enjoyed serving our area for the last four years, but at this stage in my life, I really don’t feel able to commit to a four-year term of office, and it’d be unfair to my colleagues and neighbours to offer myself for re-election when I know there’s a chance I won’t be able to complete my term of office. I’m still at an early stage of my career, and my partner and I have decided that we’d like to return to my native north east, which I really miss.
I’m still here for the time being though, and I’ll be doing everything I can to ensure Sven, Pauline and Jim are elected to provide a strong, independent voice for our area on Lewisham Council, and to elect Pete Pattisson as our next MP and Chris Maines as our new Mayor.
