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Candidate Profiles: Malcolm Reid, Peninsula

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Name: Malcolm Reid (Conservative)
Ward: Peninsula

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

I am 36 years old and have lived in Greenwich since 2000 moving into the Peninsula ward in 2003. I am the Chief Financial Officer for an investment advisory firm based in Mayfair. Prior to this I worked in the City after graduating from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Business Studies. I have been involved in local politics for a number of years and I am the current Treasurer of the Greenwich Conservative Federation. I am a keen cyclist, cycling most days from Greenwich to my office in Mayfair and enjoy keeping fit at the Arches Leisure Centre.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

The council is responsible for over £100m of council tax payers money, yet at the last election the turnout in Peninsula was only 35%. The current Labour has been in power for about 40 years and I feel are complacent. It is important that the ward is represented by the true majority of the electorate.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

With my background in business I want to ensure that we are getting value for money for our council tax and to ensure services are improved. I want to represent East Greenwich as I feel the current council neglect our area concentrating services in Woolwich. The former East Greenwich housing office lies in a derelict state, the old District Hospital site remains a blot on the landscape.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

I enjoy cycling round the Peninsula, with the contrasts that it has to offer, with the O2 and mixture of remaining industry and housing, and when the sun is out enjoying a pint at the Cutty Sark

If elected, what would be your priorities for the Peninsula ward over the next four years?

I would prioritise reducing congestion in the ward, working with local businesses and residents to develop an appropriate plan for Trafalgar Road. For the Olympics I would make sure that LOCOG stick to their promises and work to minimise disruption leading up to the events.

Spencer Drury answers your questions

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Spencer Drury is the Conservative candidate for Greenwich & Woolwich. Here’s his answers to some of your questions.

What do you think qualifies you to be MP for Greenwich and Woolwich?

The only qualification one needs to be MP for Greenwich and Woolwich is more votes than the other candidates. However, I hope that I can bring a different perspective to the role of MP through my involvement in the local community and knowledge of the different issues around south-east London.

I’d like to know what the candidates would do about the Blackwall Tunnel closure, and what their views are on two-way traffic through one 1/2 of the tunnel.

As I have said before I am disappointed that the contra-flow system has not been reinstated, but I understand this is because of a change in EU regulations. This puts a different perspective on the situation as Conservative policy is to bring a range of powers back into this country from a European level and clearly we should be able to make our own decisions about using a system which had not caused any accidents as far as I could see.

Would you like to comment on Greenwich Council’s announcement that it is to snoop on its own staff?

Ironically it was a local resident who passed the letter which has been put in the public domain to me and I sent it on to Dizzy (Phil Hendren) who is a friend of mine and used to live in Plumstead.

I think that the principle of the state creating bigger and bigger databases is one which scares me. It seems the relationship between the state and the individual has changed, with all the power in the hands of the government which can compare our data as an when it wishes. The relationship between the individual and the state has to be rebalanced so that the individual has more power. This is one of the reasons why I oppose the Labour policy of introducing ID cards.

What was the last book you read?

The last book I read was ‘The Return of Sherlock Holmes’ and I am currently picking my way through ‘Suggs and the City’ which I find very relaxing when my days are filled with electioneering.

Greenwich Hospital is appealing the decision to reject their redevelopment of Greenwich Market – do you support redevelopment of the market?

I think Greenwich Market needs refurbishment not redevelopment. This means smartening up what is already there (and is much loved by local residents and visitors) rather than demolishing chunks of it, putting up wood cladding on buildings and ripping up the cobbles. So no, I do not support the redevelopment plans that were bought forward, but I do think that the roof of the market needs replacing.

Would it be democratically acceptable for a Bristol based quango to force upon Greenwich a market redevelopment that is unwanted by the people or their elected representatives in the Council?

Linked to the previous answer, no. This is equally true for other planning applications which are overturned in Bristol having been rejected in Greenwich.

Candidate Profiles: Simon Gallie, Greenwich West

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Name: Simon Gallie (Conservative)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

Simon Gallie has lived with his Partner in West Greenwich for the past 12 years and in London for 23 years. At work he leads a team of business and private banking managers based in Central London.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

In the last local election the turnout was very disappointing at less than 30% and we got another 4 years of a Labour Council who had already been in control for over 30 years. What we don’t know is what the other 70% of local residents wanted. If you care about your local area you need to vote.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

As I think parts of Greenwich are good but could be great. Are our streets as clean as they could be? Does the town centre look as good as it could? Are our public open spaces kept tidy? I don’t think we are getting value for money and want to make good great. I think I have business and commercial experience that would be useful in local government.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

The wonderful Park and World Heritage Site with many historical buildings in Greenwich West.

If elected, what would be your priorities for the Greenwich West ward over the next four years?

In no particular order:
Ensure the Olympic Authority return the Park as they have said they will (despite a very lax and planning consent containing little detail).
Tidy and clean streets we can be proud of.
Value for money and efficiency in the upkeep of the council grass and planting areas.
Regeneration of some of the business premises and ensuring this is consistent with the World Heritage Site.
Preserving Greenwich’s Markets.
Controlling crime and anti-social behaviour without limiting residents ability to enjoy a drink in the sun.
Installing bins so people can actually “bag it and bin it” after their dogs.
Re-open Charlotte Turner School which should not have been closed.

Candidate Profiles: Toks Bailey, Peninsula

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Name: Toks Bailey (Conservative)
Ward: Peninsula

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

I was born in London and brought up in the UK and Nigeria. I’m active in the community through my church and through housing and children’s groups. I’m a full time parent – my children went to local schools, and I’m a Governor at Charlton and Willow Dene Schools. I also founded and run JMF, a charity for young people with disabilities. I enjoy meeting people through my work and getting involved in local activities – sharing our enthusiasm together and most importantly having fun!

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

This election is being held alongside a General Election. Whilst most people’s attention will be on the national elections, the local elections are important too: each voter has three votes they can cast, electing representatives who will have a say over issues that can have a significant impact on everyone’s daily lives: the standards of education, the number of police on the streets and the standard of local facilities and services. With the right leadership, local councils can make a big difference to our quality of life: this election is a chance for us to choose that leadership.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

I have been involved in the local community for a number of years. As the founder of a charity, a parent whose children went and go to school in Greenwich and an active member of a number of local community groups, I have experience of what it’s like to try and work with the Council across a number of different issues. I am standing as a candidate so that I can work to make the Peninsula and the borough a safer and cleaner place to live and work, and make the council work harder to deliver better quality, better value services – I believe that the experience I have learned so far will help me make that happen if I’m elected.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

I really like East Greenwich Pleasurance – it’s a special place tucked away off the tourist trail that provides a nice alternative to Greenwich Park on a sunny day.

If elected, what would be your priorities for the Peninsula ward over the next four years?

-Reducing congestion across the ward. By asking local people what measures they would like to see put in place to manage traffic on the main roads and discouraging traffic from speeding through residential areas, and by encouraging use of alternatives to the car where possible.

-Putting more police on the streets of the ward. Residents and businesses would like to see a greater police presence in the area. I want the Peninsula to be seen as a safer place to live, work and relax – at all times of day and night.

-Giving East Greenwich a clearer voice on Council issues. Much of the Council’s funding priorities are focused on Woolwich – as witnessed by the attempted closure of Greenwich Law Centre last year which we petitioned against. I would like to see a greater commitment by the council to keep services like the Law Centre and Library open.

Candidate Profiles: Mary Harris, Greenwich West

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Name: Mary Harris (Conservative)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

I have worked in education for the past few years. I am involved in particular in English and literacy education. I think that everyone has the right to a good education to help them do well in the workplace. I enjoy living in South East London and in Greenwich in particular.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

It matters because Council election results have a direct impact on peoples’ daily lives in the area in which they live.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

I want to play an active part in ensuring that communities and individuals alike have a ‘voice’, that is, that they are represented fully on the Council. There is always room for improvement in local services and it is important to look for practical, pragmatic solutions to meet the needs of diverse communities in Greenwich West, from youth organisations and schools to community and residents’ groups.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

I like that Greenwich West is so diverse in terms of people and places. There are many historic traditional buildings situated ‘cheek by jowl’ with modern locales. Every generation seems to have something definitive and positive to add to Greenwich West’s character. People seem to be willing to speak up and say what they think, too

If elected, what would be your priorities for the Greenwich West ward over the next four years?

As I work in education I think a priority would be promoting improvements in terms of education provision as, at the moment, many results are nowhere near good enough. For example, results are very uneven in terms of A*-C attainment at GCSE. Another priority would be to ensure adequate representation of residents’ concerns in terms of housing provision and street cleanliness.

Candidate Profiles: Ryan Acty, Greenwich West

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This is the first a series of posts which gives candidates in the Greenwich West and Peninsula wards the chance to tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about themselves and why they standing in the forthcoming council elections.

Name: Ryan Acty (Conservative)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

I joined the Army in 1998 and served for nine years which including operational tours of Kosovo in 2000 and Iraq in 2004 before getting posted to Woolwich Barracks. Since then I have worked for an Engineering Recruitment Company as a Recruitment Consultant before becoming their IT Manager. I have lived on Blackheath Hill since leaving the Army in 2007.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

At the 2006 Council elections the turnout in parts of the Borough was as low as 25%. By going to the polling station on Election Day you are giving a clear signal that you want to improve the services that you receive.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

I am standing to make a difference to the services we get from the Council and for greater value for our council tax, to work hard to make Greenwich a better place for all of us.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

One of my favourite places to visit after work in Greenwich is the Tolley (Richard the First) on Royal Hill which has a great community feel and Young’s bitter on tap! I also enjoy wandering around the market on a weekend, in particular trying the various different foods, which is why it needs to be protected from damaging redevelopment which would ruin the heart of Greenwich.

If elected, what would be your priorities for Greenwich West ward over the next four years?

If elected to serve West Greenwich I would ensure that Charlotte Turner School was re-opened, fight against the redevelopment of Greenwich Market, ensure that an extra police team was set up and based in Greenwich Town Centre and ensure that the LOCOG deliver on their assurances of returning the Park in the same way that they found it. Also that Greenwich Time, the Councils propaganda paper is scrapped.

Former Greenwich Councillor John Antcliffe has died

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Former Greenwich Councillor John Antcliffe has died at the age of 48.

As well as serving on Greenwich Council for the Blackheath ward, Mr Antcliffe was the Conservative candidate in the 1987 by-election for the Greenwich constituency. The by-election, prompted by the death of Labour MP Guy Barnett, was won by SDP candidate, Rosie Barnes.

Mr Antcliffe stood again in the General Election that followed later that year.

More information available from the ConservativeHome website.

Spencer Drury on 2012, Schooling and the General Election: Interview Pt3

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This is part three of Adam Bienkov’s interview with Spencer Drury – Conservative candidate for the Greenwich & Woolwich parliamentary seat and leader of the Conservatives on Greenwich Council. Part one and part two were published on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

Olympics

Hosting the 2012 Olympics has a been a polarising issue in the borough, but the Greenwich Conservatives have so far been relatively quiet about it. Drury himself has mixed feelings about the Games.

He tells me that while the cross country equestrian events will be “fabulous for the park” and an “amazing event” he admits that “this is not the line that NOGOE would like to hear.”

However, he also thinks that the temporary stadium is a “sticking point”:

“The 20,000 seat stadium I have got serious questions about. I mean the fact that it’s a temporary stadium, I’m already thinking is that worthwhile? But where they’re planning on putting it will actually ruin the views down the park to Maritime Greenwich. I mean if you put a great big stadium in front of that then you’re ruining the very views that they seem to want. That seems to me to be self defeating.”

He also believes the Council have missed a big opportunity to capitalise on the Games.

“The Olympics have got tonnes of money and as far as I can work out Greenwich as an area is going to have no legacy from it. Well I mean I say no legacy, but there might be trees chopped down but no legacy from it in any positive physical way.”

So will the Games be good for Greenwich overall?

“Well if you could sort out the congestion as a legacy then I think that people in Greenwich would take the rough with the smooth but at the moment we are just getting the rough.   We’re just getting problems from it and we’re getting damage to a much valued park although I don’t think it will be as bad as NOGOE are making out. I really don’t feel that.”

Are NOGOE representative?

“I think they are representative of a certain group of people in Greenwich but when you go out knocking on doors, I mean I was out in Greenwich last weekend and not one person mentioned it to me. Not one person. Schools, bins and recycling are the things that come up. People are more concerneed about other things. I think that is why you won’t see political parties focusing on it in a major way because on the doorstep it is not the major issue that people are concerned about.”


Schools

I’m speaking to Drury after the announcement that the John Roan school will no longer be moved to the Peninsula. He is relieved:

“The plans to put the John Roan school on the peninsula were always ridiculous. They were planning to put a bigger school on a smaller site, five stories tall with a playground on the roof. It was madness.”

While pleased about this, he believes that it is symptomatic of a wider problem:

“The Council’s education policy is in chaos frankly. We’ve still got the worst GCSE results in London.  They’ve improved a lot but they’re still the worst in London. So our kids are leaving education at a substantial disadvantage to most other kids across London.  And that’a huge blow to us and a massive shame”

He supports the Conservative plans to create smaller “Free Schools” run by parents:

“Parental choice is absolutely vital in this and we know parental choice is already happening in Greenwich because so many hundreds of kids at eleven go out of the borough, whether to private or to Grammar schools.  But what’s interesting when you look at the figures is that they are not just going to the Grammar schools they are also going to Welling and other schools along the border with Bexley because they are better run than Greenwich schools frankly.”

The General Election

Drury is set to stand against Nick Raynsford in Greenwich later this year. I ask him if he knows him well. He tells me that while he sees him annually at the borough’s Remembrance Sunday event, he hardly ever comes across him otherwise:

“I think Clive Efford [Labour MP for Eltham] marked himself as a local MP who didn’t care about Westminster very much. Well I think that Nick Raynsford is the opposite to that. There is a local area. He’s aware that it exists, but Westminster is where his heart is.”

Like Efford, Drury has a close attachment to the area. Raised in Woolwich and a long standing councillor in Eltham, Drury still lives within the borough.

With boundary changes giving the Conservatives a real chance of winning Eltham, I ask him why he didn’t choose to stand in his home town again:

“I did [consider it] but it was for various personal reasons. My daughter had been in hospital for two months and then my wife became ill as well. It was in the run up to the selection for the parliamentary seat and I came pretty close to just packing it all in frankly. And ironically it was a letter from Chris Roberts asking if everything was okay that changed my mind.

“It made me think think that maybe politics isn’t just about doing silly stunts and playing silly games. That maybe there is a point to it”

Council leader “can’t seem to work with other people” – Spencer Drury Interview Pt2

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This is part two of Adam Bienkov’s interview with Spencer Drury – Conservative candidate for the Greenwich & Woolwich parliamentary seat and leader of the Conservatives on Greenwich Council. Click here to read part one of the interview.

I meet Spencer Drury the day after the monthly full meeting of Greenwich Council. As usual the Conservative group raised a motion which was voted down by Labour, with Council leader Chris Roberts dismissing the debate as a “complete irrelevance.” Only a handful of voters were there to hear it.

And yet every week a newspaper promoting the Council’s agenda and featuring exclusively Labour politicians is distributed to the entire borough. Many thousands of voters will go on to read it.

So how can an opposition party ever hope to counter this imbalance?

“There is a real problem in Greenwich. Labour have been in power for 40 years and as an opposition the changing system has made it hard to make any contribution at all. We’re marginalised on scrutiny panels which are 100% chaired by Labour members and we can bring motions to Council which obviously get voted down. So the council side of it is very hard to contribute to at all. And it is hard to break through what is essentially a taxpayer funded infrastructure in place to support the Labour Party.”

So would the Conservatives close down Greenwich Time?

“Yes. Well I think that you would need some kind of communication, so I would look at the Bexley model where you have a quarterly magazine and it is a case of just what’s on in the borough. But this council spends a fortune on advertising itself and Greenwich Time has to go. It is wrong. It is morally wrong to be pumping out propaganda at the expense of the taxpayer”

But is it really just a political vehicle?

“I mean it went weekly the week after Boris was elected. Tell me that wasn’t a political decision. It was fortnightly before then and it went weekly genuinely the week afer he was elected.”

He tells me about the council’s campaign to bring the Oyster card to the Thames Clippers. For Drury this was little more than a show, with the aims of the campaign won long before the council even became involved:

“I asked for the background papers and the Council didn’t actually do anything. They just ran their campaign in Greenwich. They didn’t tell the Mayor they were running this campaign. The Mayor had already made the decision anyway and they delivered their petition to him I believe a week before the decision was announced publically.  So all the decisions had been made and their influence was absolutely zero.”

So why bother to do it?

“They just wanted to stand around and pose with printed blue cards run in their own council paper saying how fabulous they are.  And it’s just rotten. It’s just wasting time and money when they should be doing things that improve the lives of people in this borough.”

So what can the opposition do in these circumstances. Where can they be effective?

“Well what you can do is be a good ward member and make sure that your residents are represented. And I enjoy that and it is worth doing.”

But do the Council listen to those representations?

“To be honest we’re pretty much excluded. Chris Robert’s political approach is to make sure that the Labour party does what he wants them to and he’s got no interest in paying attention to any other views even those within the Labour party, let alone the opposition. And he will let us contribute occasionally on minor things so I’m hoping that he will be letting us contribute on the coat of arms for the Royal Borough for instance. But this is not something that is going to make much difference to many residents.”

What do you make of him personally?

“Well I think he is very divisive. With Chris you are either with him or against him. And that applies to opposition politicians but that also applies to people within the Labour party. You see very often the Labour group split over the hard line that he has taken over certain issues. And his relations with the Mayor of London are dreadful now and they were dreadful when there was a Labour Mayor of London.  He just can’t seem to work with other people.”

I ask him about reports that Roberts is moving wards at the election. Is he running away from defeat?

“Well he had one of the lowest votes I believe of anyone on the council and he was comfortably lower than the other two Labour councillors in the peninsula. So there is certainly a negative attittude towards Chris and he is certainly the only person who I have spoken to people about on the doorstep and they have said “well I’m not a Conservative voter but I’m definitely not voting for Roberts”. So he definitely isn’t a popular figure”


In part three of the inteview, to be published tomorrow, Spencer Drury is asked about the 2012 Olympics, schooling in Greenwich and the forthcoming General Election campaign.