THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS have announced two more candidates for the forthcoming general election.
Tahir Maher will stand in Earley and Woodley, while Henry Wright will stand in Reading Central, joining Clive Jones as the Wokingham candidate and Helen Belcher in Reading West and Mid Berkshire.
The party unveiled the duo in Forbury Gardens on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Mahir, who was a former mayor of Earley Town Council, said he was honoured to have been chosen.
“One of the reasons I wanted to stand was a lot of people who live in Wokingham and Reading came to me and said I should, as I’ve been active (in the community) for a number of years and you haven’t really put yourself forward, so go forward and we’ll support you,” he said.
“I found that very positive.”
And Mr Wright, who grew up in the Reading area, said: “I think there is a real opportunity here for a Liberal candidate and a Liberal voice, to protect our NHS, to tackle the cost of living and to protect our precious environment.
“I want Reading to be the best possible place to live in the UK.
Joining them for the launch was Ms Belcher, who praised her selected colleagues.
“Tahir has a long record of service in Earley as a former town mayor, so he’s he’s got his finger on the pulse for Earley and Woodley, while Henry is young, dynamic, energetic, very, very keen to get his campaign off the ground and get stuck in talking to people.
“Both of them are absolutely solid Liberal Democrats, as far as I can see.”
The date for the general election has yet to be set, with prime minister Rishi Sunak saying it will take place at some point this year and he was working towards an autumn poll.
