Reading Conservative Candidates are Announced

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abbey – Andrew Waters

Andrew Waters is a local businessman and former police officer who has lived in Reading for the past 11 years with his wife and two young sons. Andrew believes that more could be done about retaining a sense of community for local residents, and ensuring people can live in a safe, clean environment.

Andrew is already working hard for the residents of Abbey Ward and has run campaigns to re-open the Jolly Anglers pub, to clean-up the Kennet canal, and to increase police action against drug dealing and antisocial behaviour.

Battle – Ali Asghar

Ali has been living in Berkshire for well over 38 years, the last eight of which have been in Reading where he runs a local taxi firm.  He was our candidate in Battle Ward in 2008. Ali wants to win for the Conservatives in Battle so that he can help fix Labour’s failures. He believes that Battle and Reading needs a change from Labour and it is the Conservatives alone who now speak for the people of Reading and offer a common sense and practical vision for the future.

Caversham – Andrew Cumpsty

Andrew Cumpsty is Leader of the Conservative Group and lives in the centre of Caversham where he has served as a Councillor for six years. He has held monthly surgeries since his election in 2004. Andrew is campaigning for better value for money council services and a higher quality of their delivery for all Reading residents.

As well as being Chairman of his own company, Andrew is a director of two Reading charities. He also enjoys going to the Hexagon and swimming.

Church – Tim Harris

Tim Harris was elected as Councillor for Church ward in May 2007 and is the Conservative Lead Spokesman on Community Care. Tim has lived in South Reading for many years, and is a keen triathlete having represented Great Britain in the World Long Distance Triathlon Championships.

As a local resident, Tim is keen to improve transport, recycling, and get better value for money council services for all residents in the local community. He has a passion for fairness and getting things done.

Katesgrove – Emily Fraser

Emily is currently studying for a Masters degree in Meteorology at the University of Reading. She takes a keen interest in climate change and was recently invited to speak at the Copenhagen UN Climate negotiations in December 2009. Emily is committed to changing the UK and its government for the better.  She is passionate about local issues and improving the wellbeing and lifestyle of all those living and working in Katesgrove. She is keen to support local residents to get better quality council services.

Emily’s other interests include charity work, volunteering at local schools and events, and cleaning up the local environment.

Kentwood – Jenny Rynn

Jenny was born in Tilehurst and went to Alfred Sutton Girls School in Reading. She then went to live in South Africa for 6 years and on her return settled back into living in Reading. She has lived in Kentwood for 21 years. Jenny works for a large accountancy firm in Reading and has been your Kentwood councillor for the last four years which, she says, has been a very rewarding role.

Minster – Simon Bazley

Having first moved to Reading in 2000, Simon has previously been a local election candidate in 2004 and he currently works as a software engineer in the centre of Reading. Simon has a particular interest in planning issues and has been involved in the Bath Road Reservoir campaign. He is keen to reduce the amount of poor quality development in Reading and to work to ensure, that through the planning system, we get development that is right for Reading, not just needless urban sprawl.

Simon also has an interest in the general efficiency and fairness of the council.

Norcot – Nazia Bashir

Nazia has lived in Reading most of her life, graduated with a LLB Law Degree and a Diploma in Law in Legal Practice. At present she is working for a local firm as well as being involved in voluntary work for the local community. Nazia first got involved in politics at University, and would like to make a real difference to the quality of people’s daily lives. She enjoys working with local residents to help solve some of the problems that they may have and support the needs of the local community.

Nazia is a dedicated, committed and hard working individual who will make a tremendous difference to her ward.

Park – John Walker

John has lived in Reading since 1997. He is married and has two children, both of whom were born in Reading and attend local schools. Interested in community issues for many years, John’s first involvement in campaigning was with schools admissions policy issues in 2004 when he successfully fought to end first preference selection for entry to primary schools.

He is a long-time supporter of several charities including the RSPB, the Campaign for Real Ale, the local Wildlife Trust and he is also involved with Beavers and Cubs.

Peppard – Mark Ralph

Mark Ralph was first elected as a Councillor for Peppard Ward in 2004 and is Conservative Lead Spokesman for Education and Lifelong Learning. He has lived in Caversham with his family since 1991 and has been a Governor at Micklands Primary School since 2003.

Mark has campaigned hard to protect public transport, health and social services for older residents. He has also worked closely with Caversham police to reduce graffiti and anti-social behaviour.

Mark is committed to tackling building over-development and traffic concerns, and to lowering Council Tax.

Redlands – Leo Lester

Leo Lester first moved to the area in 2004 to study at Reading University.  In 2006 he joined a local company and now works in Thames Valley Business Park. Leo is very concerned about the environment, crime, education, and helping local communities and is actively campaigning for change. Leo has worked with Crimestoppers to tackle crime on the university campus. He cycles to work and wants to see improvements made to the poor state of Reading’s roads.

He has been a Governor at Phoenix College since 2005 and has been a volunteer instructor at a Sea Cadet Unit for many years.

Southcote – Robert Vickers

Robert Vickers has been married for 38 years, to Sandra  (who is our candidate in Tilehurst Ward); they have four children and three grandchildren. He has lived in Reading all his life and has lived in Southcote ward for nearly 16 years. Rob works for a local housing association and is the GMB union shop steward. This role has given Rob experience of standing up for and representing his colleagues and developing sensible solutions.

Having expertise in the building trade, Rob believes he can bring a common sense and practical approach to the work of Reading Borough Council and give him an informed understanding of planning, building and infrastructure. He also has a great interest in the environment and keeping open spaces.

Thames – David Stevens

David Stevens has served as a Councillor in Thames Ward for the last 6 years and is Conservative Lead Spokesman on Corporate Affairs and Finance for the Conservative group. He is also Chairman of the Council’s Corporate, Community and External Affairs Scrutiny Panel. David lives with his wife and three children in Reading and commutes daily to London. He is passionate about getting value-for-money services for residents, investing in good quality schools and keeping the neighbourhood safe and clean for the community.

Tilehurst – Sandra Vickers

Sandra has lived in Reading all her life and has been married for 38 years to Robert (who is standing in Southcote Ward.) They have four children and three grandchildren. When the children were young she helped out at their schools by doing fundraising, listening to the children read and cook, helping on outings and anything else where parents were needed. She has worked in two local schools as a secretary and dinner lady.

Sandra has spent most of her life in Tilehurst and wants to get more involved in the policies and changes being made not only in that area but in Reading as a whole. She is passionate about all local issues including education, elderly health care and preserving open spaces for our children to play in.

Whitley – James Anderson

James is a local man, having grown up and attended schools in Reading. His working life has largely been sales based, specifically with Mann Countrywide Estate Agents and, more recently, with Global Radio, owners of the HEART Radio Group. Currently, he works in the building sector. James is actively involved with helping young people in Whitley, and across the town, through the voluntary community work he has been doing with Lighthouse Kidz Church. Currently he runs ‘The Gap’ community youth club in Whitley as well as managing a local football team.

With strong links in the local community, James has a real understanding of the change Whitley needs.

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