This is a seat Labour is defending, but with a new candidate after Shirley Boyt stepped down. She was elected in 2019, defeating Shahid Younis. The ward has been a fight between the two parties ever since, and it is a seat Labour will hope to retain.
2023 result
2019 result
Polling station
- Christ Church Hall
- Earley Home Guard social club
The candidates
Shelia Jordan, Lib Dem
I was born in the Royal Berks Hospital and grew up in Newbury and Slough, before moving to Whitegates in 2003.
I love the area, which has good bus transport links to Reading, good road access, a mixed interesting community with varied housing, and a multi-faith, multi-cultural population.
My husband was brought up in Reading and works for Reading buses. After training as accountant, I have worked mostly in the charitable sector.
I believe in Liberal values, a fair, more equal society with opportunities for all, where no one is excluded or left behind.
I am interested in the environment, transport, fair trade, and the eradication of poverty locally, nationally and around the world.
I like drinking real cider, am a member of CAMRA and usually work on the cider bar at the Reading Beer and Cider Festival.
Samuel Langlois, Green
If elected, I will campaign to reduce the place of cars in the public space, and promote the use of walking, cycling or public transport.
Cars are necessary, but the fewer there are, the happier we get!
I will also protect and improve the green space, and support our amazing local, independent businesses.
We all have a role to play to fight climate change. At our level, this is also simply to improve the life of people in the borough.
Sagar Patel, Conservative
I’m Sagar Patel, and I live in Woodley with wife and my family. By profession I am a pharmacist and work at a GP surgery and at pharmacies in Reading.
I have always enjoyed helping people in my local community. During Covid, I volunteered in Woodley and helped many people accessing health care and related services. I was also delivering medicines to elderly people’s homes, so they didn’t need to queue up at local pharmacies. I try to be active in spotting local issues, for example, if I see any water leakage on the road, I inform the council promptly.
If I elected as your borough councillor, I will work with Cllr Shahid Younis to make life better for all residents here. I think one of the most important things right now is helping people struggling with the cost of living.
The Council needs to be supporting residents and local people by keeping costs down and the quality of services high. This is the wrong time to be increasing car parking charges which will hit household budgets and threaten the future of businesses in Woodley town centre.
Another focus would be improved road maintenance and filling potholes and resurfacing residential roads in our area. It’s vital to have these roads in good and safe condition.
Please contact me if you have any questions, want to share your views or to help my campaign.
With your support on 4 May, I can be a fresh, strong voice on the council representing you and your family.
Tony Skuse, Labour
Awaiting information from candidate.
