BRECKLAND LABOUR GROUP SELECTS CANDIDATES TO CONTEST BY-ELECTIONS
Monday 18th June 2012
The Breckland Labour Group has selected two strong candidates to fight the upcoming by-elections in the district, both of which are strongly against the introduction of car parking charges.
John Williams, a journalist and strong campaigner will be contesting the Attleborough Queens Ward by-election following the resignation of Simon Rogers and Stephen Green will be contesting the Harling & Heathlands Ward following the resignation of Lady Kay Fisher.
John Williams has lived in Attleborough since 1987. John lives on Besthorpe Road, which is within the Queens Ward. John is a sports journalist. He has been a member of the Labour Party for more than 30 years and has previous experience of contesting both district and county elections, coming within 17 votes of winning previously in Attleborough. He is married with two sons, who both attended local schools. John has served as a school Governor both in Attleborough and London. He is an avid sports fan with particular interest in football, cricket and boxing. This year he was elected a life member of the National Union of Journalists.
Stephen Green is 42 years old and lives in the village of Blo Norton. He is married and has one son who is 18 years old and three step-children. He has a firm interest in the local rural community, and has been Treasurer of the Village Hall Committee and active in village life. He is particularly passionate about local transport links and supporting children and young people. Stephen previously contested the ward in May 2011, achieving over 400 votes.
Stephen said; “I often feel that our rural communities get left behind. There is so much more that can be done to support them which is why I have put myself forward once more as a candidate. I am strongly against the introduction of car parking charges. Residents in villages such as mine rely on being able to pop into the towns for vital services that are just not available locally. We are already being forced to cope with high petrol charges and we do not have the luxury of being able to use public transport as in so many cases it just does not exist. This idea from the Breckland Council Conservative group will hit rural residents and town centre shop keepers at a time when they could frankly do without it”.
John Williams said; “If elected, I would make it a priority to speak out against any plans to impose car parking charges in the district. Local shops and businesses, including ones here in Attleborough are already finding trading conditions difficult enough without this added burden that can only have a detrimental effect on trade. In addition, parking charges will only encourage on-street parking in residential streets off the town centre - a further problem in an already overstretched road system. As a rapidly expanding town, Attleborough badly needs an improved infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing population and I pledge to campaign for the following improvements: A free-flowing road system, improved sport and leisure facilities and play areas, Provision of green spaces and Accessible junior schooling”.
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