Tadley and Pamber Liberal Democrat candidate – Jo Slimin
Long term Tadley Town Councillor and Liberal Democrat candidate Jo Slimin said she’s determined to give a “strong voice” to Tadley and Pamber were she to be elected.
Mrs Slimin, who has lived in the town since 1969 and is a charity trustee, will be seeking to return to the borough council after her spells in 2002-2003 and 1994-1998, when she was also the Liberal Democrat leader.
She said her campaign on the doorstep had been going well, with more people keeping an eye on the news – particularly “the cost of living crisis, Ukraine war and trustworthiness of the Conservative party”, adding that people were more open in considering and discussing their views”.
Locally, she said people were concerned about the borough council’s Local Plan Update, where Tadley could be allocated either 945 homes to build, or zero due to its proximity to the AWE.
She said: “Zero is not very helpful for people in Tadley who’d like to downsize or young people who want to set up in their own homes.
“We certainly don’t want wholesale development on our greenfield sites, but there may be some smaller sites where there could be something for young people in particular to start on the housing ladder.”
The Tadley and Pamber and Tadley North, Kingsclere and Baughurst wards are both currently represented by three Conservative councillors, and Mrs Slimin said it was important for the opposition voice to be heard on the council.
Mrs Slimin has stood for election in a Tadley ward several times over the past two decades, and said she was feeling optimistic due to the lack of a Labour candidate in the ward.
She said there was concern from residents over whether they were getting value for money from the council tax after the latest increase, and pointed to her record when on the borough council, when the swimming pool and Barlows Park community football ground were opened.
She added: “I’m hoping people will see I’m somebody who won’t just talk a good talk – I take action and get heavily involved with things and try and deliver, and be true to my word.”
Click here for Conservative candidate - Derek Mellor
Click here for Green candidate - Richard Musson
Click here for Hampshire Independents candidate - Charlotte Bennett
The election will take place on May 5.
