I am 59, married with three grown up children, and have lived in Cheadle Hulme North for 34 years, although I originally come from Brighton. I worked in IT and my interests include watching football, cycling, and working on my shared allotment.
My overriding philosophy is for fairness, having long held concerns about inequalities and injustice. I joined the Green Party because I believe that they are the only party that has policies that will provide a balanced and truly sustainable economy, and will remove the dominance of vested interest.
The current electoral system has failed us. We need a system where every vote counts not just those in marginal seats. The only way to achieve change is to vote for parties like the Green Party that believe change is necessary.
As a local Green Party member, I have sought to hold our representatives to account and actively campaigned on local issues. In particular I have campaigned on those that affect the environment and the climate emergency declared by our council. I have also sought to improve our cycling network as part of the Stockport Walking and Cycling Group.
At work I was always a member of a union and for a long time I was a Workplace Representative, supporting my colleagues with their issues at work (grievances, disciplinary and redundancy). We need to reverse the tendency to demonise the Unions and remember that the rights that we are used to, such as holiday pay, sick pay, maternity pay, have all been won by unions in the past. The Green Party is supportive of the aims of Unions, and seeks to defend workers' rights and ensure that workers are seen as an asset to society.
Twitter: @paddersbha
