Cllr Stephen Conway
As the local elections approach, we are likely to see political rivals saying unkind things about each other.
Before battle commences, I want to strike a less partisan note and thank those many councillors who are standing down at the elections on May 2, of my own party and others.
Councillors are not always well regarded, to put it mildly, but in all my years in local politics, stretching back to the 1990s, I’ve met very few councillors who are in it just for themselves.
We may disagree over methods, but the vast majority of councillors, of all parties, want to make a positive difference to the community.
With all-out elections on new boundaries marking the end of an era, we have a larger number of councillors standing down than usual.
We say goodbye to my Liberal Democrat colleagues Peter Dennis, councillor for Wescott; Morag Malvern, councillor for Emmbrook; and Ian Pittock, councillor for Barkham.
All these councillors worked hard on council committees and boards (Peter and Morag as chairs) and were very effective champions of their wards.
Three more departing colleagues from my own side served with great distinction on the executive this last two years: Lindsay Ferris, my ward colleague in Twyford, who earlier served as leader of the opposition, laying the foundations for the creation of the current administration; Sarah Kerr, who brought great passion, drive, and commitment to all that she undertook, especially on climate change and violence against women and girls; and Ian Shenton, whose sharp business brain enabled him to analyse complex problems with great clarity.
The final departing Liberal Democrat colleague is Clive Jones, my immediate predecessor, who in 2022-23 piloted the council through the financial storm with great skill.
He is standing down to focus on his parliamentary campaign to replace Sir John Redwood.
On the Conservative side, we are losing Laura Blumenthal, councillor for South Lake, who shadowed me on affordable housing and shared my commitment to helping everyone in the borough to have a decent home; Graham Howe, councillor for Wargrave, who served as Prue Bray’s predecessor as executive member for children’s services; and another previous executive member, Pauline Helliar-Symons, who was also a former mayor, and is standing down after an incredible 42 years’ service.
Two former Conservative leaders of council are leaving us – Keith Baker, a shrewd and very effective opponent, who also served with distinction as an impressively fair-minded mayor; and John Halsall, who led the council in his own inimitable style and with much good judgement through the difficult years of covid.
Finally, I must pay tribute to Gary Cowan, an independent councillor, who has moved from political adversary to ally and back to adversary over the years, but has always been a staunch defender of Arborfield and someone I have come to regard as a friend, despite our differences.
I wish all these colleagues well in their future endeavours and thank them for their public service.
Cllr Stephen Conway is the leader of Wokingham Liberal Democrats, and standing for re-election this May in Twyford
