​Local Democracy & Representation

Representation should be earned through action, not advertised with slogans.

Local democracy should belong to the people, not be manipulated by party machines or reduced to a string of polished talking points. Too often, public engagement feels like a box-ticking exercise: a consultation here, a leaflet there, and a well-timed “we’re listening” banner during election season.

 

But real listening doesn’t need to be broadcast. Real leadership listens by default and acts with integrity.

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In Brize Norton, Carterton East, and across Oxfordshire, people are growing tired of seeing decisions made without them — or worse, in spite of them. They’re tired of consultations designed to validate pre-made plans rather than invite real discussion. They’re tired of representatives who talk about transparency but act behind closed doors.

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It’s time to do local politics differently.

Representation doesn’t mean detachment. It doesn’t mean elected officials operating in a vacuum, cut off from the people they serve. Representation means being chosen by the public to act in their interests — yes, to make decisions — but not without them. It must be rooted in genuine engagement, not superficial performances of participation.

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We need grassroots, ground-up leadership — not pre-written agendas dressed up as dialogue. A clear example is how public consultations are often worded and structured to steer the public toward a predetermined outcome rather than collect open, honest feedback. Over the last few years, consultation results have too often been pushed aside or used as props to say, “Look what we did.”

 

This must change.

That’s why I’m proposing a new, continuous way for our community to engage — not just through meet-and-greets, but through a 24/7 online platform for local discussion, debate, and idea-sharing. This space will be open to all residents in the area and will allow us to have ongoing conversations, not just occasional events. You’ll be able to raise concerns, share ideas, and influence decisions at any time — not just when a consultation form shows up or a councillor knocks on your door.

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This, paired with regular community meet-ups, will transform how we do local politics in Brize Norton and Carterton East. And more than that — it will make your voice matter all the time, not just at the ballot box.

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Democracy That Starts With People, Not Parties

Accountability shouldn’t be a radical idea — it should be the norm.

What I Stand For:

County councillors hold real influence — not just in decision-making, but in how decisions are made. I will use that role to champion local voices over party lines, and genuine dialogue over staged engagement.

If we want to restore faith in local democracy, we must make people feel heard, respected, and involved — not just during elections, but always.

 

My Pledges:

• I will support real accountability, where elected representatives are expected to own mistakes, admit when things go wrong, and fix them — not hide behind spin.

• I will push for meaningful community engagement, with local events, digital spaces, and direct contact — not just filtered surveys.

• I will fight for a stronger role for local voices in council decisions, ensuring that policies reflect people, not parties.

• I will call out consultations that are designed to rubber-stamp pre-made decisions and push for formats that allow open debate before anything is signed off.

• I will lead by example, using platforms like The Voice of West Oxfordshire — an open, non-partisan space — to stay accountable, visible, and open to challenge.

• I will oppose political grandstanding and focus on local outcomes — not party messaging.

• I will support publishing plain-language summaries of council decisions, so residents can actually understand what’s being done and why.

• I will fight for decisions made with people, not just presented to them — especially on planning, spending, and service changes.

• I will welcome disagreement and challenge, because strong communities grow from honest conversation — not choreographed consensus.

• I will never treat engagement as a photo op or PR stunt — it’s the foundation of public service.

• I will build and maintain an open, 24/7 online space for community discussion, where residents can freely share concerns, ask questions, and contribute ideas — making engagement continuous, inclusive, and accessible.

• I will combine this online platform with traditional in-person engagement so that no one is excluded, whether they prefer digital access or face-to-face conversation.

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