Name: Anthony Austin (Liberal Democrats)
Ward: Greenwich West
Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.
I work part-time as a freelance editor and also as cycle instructor in south and east London boroughs, teaching children and adults safe cycling. Previously I was a correspondent for Reuters, the international news organisation, working in Switzerland, Italy (including Vatican correspondent), Thailand, and Sweden.
I recently ran the London Marathon for the third time, on this occasion to draw attention to the plight of the polar bear with proceeds to the World Wildlife Fund. On another occasion I ran for the Mayor of Greenwich’s McMillan charity.
Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?
While canvassing for the LibDems I’ve also been handing out forms for people to register to vote, if they hadn’t already done so. When occasionally someone says “I don’t vote, all politicians are in it for themselves” or the like, I say “but don’t you think everything we do is political, and it matters that your voice is heard at the local and national level.”
Why are you standing to be a councillor?
I am standing in this election for the LibDems with fresh policies to challenge 39 years of Labour control of Greenwich Council which has become dictatorial, lazy and cynical.
What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?
I love the riverside and its shipbuilding heritage. We should do much more to promote our borough, its royal status, the Thames path from Thamesmead to Deptford.
If elected, what would be your priorities for the Greenwich West ward over the next four years?
If elected, and in consultation with my party colleagues, I would seek to give better value for council tax, investigate reversing the Labour decision to close Charlotte Turner primary school in Deptford, bring local people more into the planning process rather than imposing development on them.