Waddon byelection: The candidates (From Croydon Guardian)

Waddon byelection: The candidates

8:35am Wednesday 21st January 2009 in News

Ian Payne, Labour, pledges to vote against council’s controversial new multi million pound headquarters

Labour - Ian Payne, 64, is a retired computer manager and former councillor. Married to Pauline they live in Coulsdon. On the governing body of Coulsdon College and chairman of governors at a local school.

He pledges regular local surgeries and to vote against council’s controversial new multi million pound headquarters.

Clare Hilley

Conservative - Clare Hilley is a trainee solicitor and has been involved in local politics in the area for more than 10 years.

She attended Regina Coeli school in Waddon before completing a BA history degree at Lancaster University. She enjoys skydiving and flying and appeared on BBC’s reality show Castaway in 2007.

Liberal Democrat - Pat Gauge has 25 years’ experience as an advice worker, manager and trainer, a career she began after completing an Open University degree, while raising her own children and being a foster carer for Sutton.

She says she would be able to contribute to the political, practical and financial accountability of the local authority.

Mary Davey

Green - Mary Davey works as a teacher in Croydon. She has been teaching in Croydon for 18 years. She is an active member of Amnesty International and chairwoman of the Society of Catholic Artists. She has lived in the ward for 16 years. If elected she will prioritise community safety, support local shops and businesses and reduce residents’ rising fuel bills.

The People's Choice - Mark Samuel, 53, lives and works in South Croydon as a consultant telecom engineer.

In 2007, he presented a petition against the removal of existing free weekend parking and introduction of a weekend bus lane. He also wants the removal of buses along Rectory Grove and Brighton Road.

BNP - Charlotte Lewis, 36, lives in Thornton Heath and has stood on a number of previous occasions for the BNP. This is the first time the BNP has fielded a candidate in Waddon.

If elected she will put pressure on the council to ensure the problem of housing is dealt with on behalf of residents.

Official Monster Raving Looney Party - John Cartwright was unable to provide details at the time of publication. National policies include free chocolate for students and OAPs, a crackdown on invisible people using spray paints, and compulsory treacle pudding lessons.

Kathleen Garner

UK Independence Party - Mother-of-two Kathleen Garner has lived in Croydon for 37 years – 21 in South Croydon.

She has a degree in modern languages. She is a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society and currently works in statistics. She is campaigning on schools, housing, rubbish collection and reducing council tax.