Why I’m Running on Accountability, Competence, and Visibility
North Northamptonshire Council recently published its 2023–24 Statement of Accounts, which shows an overspend of £9.2 million against a net budget of £339 million — a 3% shortfall. While that may sound modest on paper, it reflects a deeper truth: our councils are under pressure, and the cracks are beginning to show.
And in times like these, leadership matters. That’s why I’m standing for Kingswood Ward as an independent candidate — not tied to any political party — grounded in three principles I believe are essential to good governance: accountability, competence, and visibility.
1. Accountability
Too often, local people are left in the dark. Big decisions happen in committees or party groups. Updates are buried in minutes. And consequences, when things go wrong, are shrugged off.
The Council’s overspend — over £9 million — may not sound catastrophic, but it's public money, and it’s your services that feel the pressure when budgets are stretched. That shortfall will impact care services, planning decisions, local infrastructure, and more.
We need elected councillors who:
Take ownership of tough decisions
Communicate clearly and transparently
And make sure the community understands what’s happening and why
I won’t point fingers or make empty promises. I’ll focus on giving residents clear answers and honest expectations, even when the truth is uncomfortable.
2. Competence
I've spent my career building resilient organisations and communities — not just planning for emergencies, but helping people and systems handle complex, everyday challenges.
From my time in the British Army to my current role as a senior emergency planning leader in UK transport, I’ve worked with:
Local and national governments
Emergency services and LRFs
Rail, water, energy, defence, and education sectors
That breadth of experience has taught me how to:
Ask the right questions
Understand complexity
And focus on what works, not just what’s politically convenient
When financial constraints are tightening and services are stretched, we don’t need ideological showpieces — we need competence. Councillors who can read a balance sheet, understand public service challenges, and contribute meaningfully to solutions.
3. Visibility
Since the shift to a unitary council in 2021, many Corby residents feel further removed from decisions than ever before. Town and borough voices risk being drowned out in a larger, centralised system.
As far as I can tell, I am the only independent candidate standing in any of Corby’s four wards. And that matters — because it means I don’t answer to a party group or national agenda. I answer to you.
Visibility means:
Being present in the ward, not just visible online
Listening to residents year-round, not just at election time
And bringing your voice into every committee, conversation, and vote I’m part of
Good ideas come from the ground up — and working together at community level is how we’ll fix the things that matter: housing, safety, services, and connection.
Why This Matters
Corby deserves a representative who will:
Speak plainly
Stand independently
And serve with integrity, not party ambition
That’s why I’m running. Not for a party. Not for a title. But for Kingswood — and for the principle that local democracy should be grounded in honesty, clarity, and the courage to lead.
If you believe in that too, I’d love to hear from you.
