UK Independence Party Gloucestershire

Richard Edwards is a full time youth worker working on several youth projects. Previously he was a Laboratory Technician for a local company within Moreland for 7 years. He has lived in Gloucester all of his 25 years of which 21 of those were in Tredworth.

He attended Oxstalls Community School and is very proud of the City and its history. Richard has been a member of the UKIP for 7 years and currently holds the post of Branch Treasurer.

During his own time, Richard volunteers for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Special Needs Expedition over the summer in the Forest of Dean. He is also a member of an amateur dramatics group, which puts on productions to raise money for local charities.

Richard previously stood in the Moreland ward in 2007.

Personal Statement

Having lived and worked in the Moreland Ward, I have experienced at close quarters the amazing character of its residents. Saying that there is much that can be done to improve the quality of people’s lives. For example, cleanliness of public areas, opportunities for young people, job creation and better housing are some examples. If elected I would ensure local peoples concerns are at the heart of the decision making process. One of my core beliefs is in democracy and for everybody to be able to have their opinions and concerns heard. I believe that people should be able to make the most of the opportunities that are available. Above all I believe that all people should be able to determine how this country is run and not just a select few. It would be a pleasure to serve the people of Moreland on the City Council.

Former Mayor of Barton, Danny is a well-known and popular figure around Gloucester where he was born and bred. Taking early retirement from Walls, he now devotes most of his time to charity work and his grandchildren. Danny is a volunteer advice worker and a trustee and treasurer of Scoo-B-Doo, the children’s charity. He was recognised by the Queen for his work.

Danny stood in the 2007, 2006 and 2005 local elections in the Abbey ward.

Personal message

Danny writes “I would like to represent the people of Abbeymead and of Abbeydale where I have lived for 14 years.

Should I be elected, I will take an independent approach to all issues and not be bound, as the other parties, by spin and an unwillingness to state clearly one’s political beliefs. I will support any practical, common sense measures that I believe to be in the interests of my constituents, irrespective of their political roots. I will not be involved in the petty party point scoring that passes for political debate in the other parties.

I will press for more support for the voluntary sector from the Council. I want to see facilities where Community groups, the elderly, young and the unemployed can meet and help each other.

I will press the Police Authority to allocate more resources to qualified visible policing, especially in the evenings and weekends. I believe that the County of Gloucestershire was given extra money last year to employ another 77 policemen, but only 7 were allocated to the City. I will oppose pandering to political correctness that is clearly detrimental to the efficiency of any public service.

I will press for planning to be expedited for the provision of affordable housing for young couples who have lived a significant part of their Council should stop knocking down historical buildings to build flats, instead utilising buildings that have been left empty.

I will support granting planning permission for the construction of small industrial and commercial units suitable for small businesses. Start up businesses should be leased such units for up to 2 years at a discounted price.

I will argue for school resources to be made available to voluntary groups out of school hour, especially for IT and language training.”

Many people will remember Mike as a Conservative Councillor for Barnwood Ward, when he was known for putting his constituents before Party. He became disillusioned with the Conservatives after the Maastricht Treaty. He has been Chairman of the City Branch of UKIP for over 10 years. Mike works as a supervisor in Market Research.

Personal Statement

Mike writes “Government at all levels is getting further away from the people. We set out to put Britain’s withdrawal from the EU on the political agenda. Our mission is now much wider, nothing less than to restore democracy to our country.”

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