A LEADING Liberal Democrat councillor has announced he intends to step down from the council in the forthcoming local elections – so he can concentrate on his general election campaign.
In that role, Clive Jones has represented Hawkedon since 2016, and seen his party grow from a handful of councillors to running Wokingham Borough Council.
He served as its leader from 2022 until May last year, stepping down from that role after he was nominated as the party’s parliamentary candidate for the new Wokingham seat.
He says he has been receiving lots of support from voters in his campaign to become the seat’s first non-Conservative MP – it has been held by Conservative candidates, with incumbent Sir John Redwood first elected in 1987.
In a statement, Mr Jones said: “Many lifelong Conservatives tell me they can’t support the Conservative party anymore.
“The party that has given them Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.
“They tell me they’ll support me to ensure the Conservatives don’t win again here in Wokingham.”
He continued: “I’m also grateful to the many Labour supporters in Wokingham who are going to support me at the General Election.
“The call I hear time and time again from so many voters is that there has to be change and that they believe the Lib Dems are best placed to ensure there is change in Wokingham.
“I will be forever grateful to the residents who voted for me to represent them as a borough councillor. However, I have decided that to allow me to concentrate even more on trying to win the General Election so that I can deliver the change Wokingham residents are calling for, I am not going to seek re-election as a Borough Councillor in May.”
Mr Jones said healthcare and utility companies were issues he was passionate about.
“Many people are telling me how important it is for them to have a full-time champion for the NHS as their MP and someone who will work tirelessly to help deliver a brand-new hospital,” he said.
“They want someone who will challenge water companies to clean up our rivers and fix leaking pipes. It’s also essential to them that they have an MP who will work to get Parliament to deal with the cost-of-living crisis.”
Cllr Stephen Conway, the leader of Wokingham Borough Council, praised his predecessor, saying he had led the council “with distinction”.
He continued: “I strongly support his decision to stand down as a councillor and focus on winning the parliamentary seat.
“The same qualities that made him a great councillor will make him a great MP.
“He will work hard for Wokingham and make sure our residents’ voices are heard.”
Labour and the Green Party have yet to announce their candidates for the Wokingham seat. In addition to Sir John and Mr Jones, Reform has said Colin Wright will stand for them.
