If you live in Shinfield you can’t have helped but notice that there was a by-election last week. If, however, you live in any other part of the Borough, a Council by-election on a cold, wet December Thursday may well have escaped your notice!
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who voted in such inclement weather. A special thank you in particular to everyone who voted Conservative.
I am delighted to welcome back Cllr Jackie Rance. Her hard work and dedication to residents shone through during the campaign alongside her experience of public service and her pragmatic, can-do approach.
This seat was previously held by Labour and it is clear testament to the unpopularity of the new Labour Government that their share of the vote dramatically dropped. Many feel this Labour Government, one that has been embroiled in scandals over clothes, Taylor Swift tickets, an embellished CV and has seen a Cabinet Minister resign because they had a previous conviction for fraud, all in the first 6 months, isn’t what they thought they were voting for. Alongside this there has been the increase in employer’s national insurance contributions, cutting pensioners’ winter fuel allowance, a stark fall in consumer confidence and the family farm tax. Locally promises of a new Royal Berkshire Hospital are under “review” and the Government is proposing to nearly double our house building targets.
The Liberal Democrats have run Wokingham Borough for two and a half years with support from Labour councillors.
During this time, we have seen car parking prices more than double, the litter bin fiasco and residents repeatedly ignored.
This was the first election since the Liberal Democrats forced through their Local Plan which will mean 3,900 houses will be built on Hall Farm despite the Liberal Democrats’ campaigning to protect Hall Farm when they were in opposition. Many residents we have heard from are disappointed by this failure of Liberal Democrats to keep their promises to voters.
The Conservative Group that I lead listens to residents and works to serve them. We are committed to delivering value for money for taxpayers, providing accountability, transparency, and responsive high quality services. We endeavour where possible to bring the voice of residents and local businesses to the Council and will continue to do this.
Pauline Jorgensen is the leader of Wokingham Conservatives
