I spent most of my career in the NHS firstly as a nurse and then in management; I now work part time in academia. I became interested in Green politics in my teens, originally joining the Green Party around 40 years ago. I have been campaigning hard on many environmental and social issues for most of my life. I stood in the 2010, 2017 and 2019 General Elections as the Green Party’s candidate for Maidstone and the Weald (plus 2015 in Canterbury). I have been the party’s spokesperson on health and on their Executive Committee as Policy Development Coordinator. I was elected councillor on Maidstone Borough Council for Bridge Ward in 2022.
My past two years on MBC have been successful: I have saved a bus service, instigated air pollution monitoring in my ward, help shape one of the better climate change plans in the country, built a great team on the council, got agreement for a revised transport strategy, led action on water pollution. Oh, and I have had lots of pot holes fixed too. During my NHS career I delivered an Urgent Treatment Centre in Medway, designed and commissioned a radical new GP service and led the recovery of a failing organisation.
The planet is struggling and life on it is being hit hard. I am passionate about both people and planet and want to do all I can to improve the lives of all. As we are unlikely to stop runaway climate change, we need to focus on adapting the way we live to cope with the impacts, here and globally. There is also the wider polycrisis to consider, one that is driven by western society’s unsustainable way of living and thinking. I want to play my part in shifting the way we all think and act in our lives and, most importantly, ensure that politics supports and allows people to live differently.
Maidstone and Malling is not a target constituency so a full on campaign would be inappropriate. However… MBC has local elections and we are campaigning hard to win seats – there is a synergy with this. Beyond that, I expect to use the free post leaflet and to attend hustings. I will continue to deliver our message through local media.
I am a seasoned and successful campaigner. I have a good knowledge of Green policy and I am able to connect with the electorate.