National News
Election 2010 Candidates
The elections are on 6th May this year. Below are details of Havant's Liberal Democrat candidates.
Havant prospective MP - Alex Payton
Alex Payton is the Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for the Havant constituency. He is 36, lives in Newbury, Berkshire. If elected, he will make Havant his home.
Following a degree in Classics at Oxford Alex took up Law and became a barrister practising from chambers in Newbury. Always a keen Liberal Democrat, Alex won his first seat on West Berkshire in 2003 followed by a seat on Thatcham Town Council where he also became Mayor.
His interest in the community led to his being appointed vice chairman of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee in West Berkshire and to other bodies.
Alex is a keen campaigner and has fought, successfully, for a new local cinema, against the closure of a local palliative care unit, and the loss of local Post Offices. His skills as a barrister would, if elected, serve the people of Havant in their fight for social justice.
He enjoys watching motor racing and playing cricket and is interested in science and technology. He also plays the piano and cello and has recorded with York's Chapter House Choir.
For more information, please visit Alex's website - alexpayton.com.
Warren Park - Chris Maple
Chris Maple is the third generation of this family born and brought up in the Borough.
He is married with a young family and is a qualified judo instructor. In his spare time Chris enjoys working with young people.
He is employed locally as an architectural technician and has a strong interest in energy conservation. Like many people locally he is concerned about the downturn in the construction industry and the rising level of unemployment in Leigh Park.
Chris comes from many generations of Havant shopkeepers and working to improve empty shops would be a top priority. Having served before as Liberal Democrat councillor he would like the challenge of representing Warren Park.
Local resident Ann Brown said "Chris is the right person to represent Warren Park. He is hard working and caring and will listen to local people and take up issues."
For more information, please contact Chris by email (chris@havant-libdems.org).
Bondfields - Steve Marshall
Steve Marshall, a Leigh Park resident, has lived and worked in Havant Borough almost all of his life. He has had the experience of being a Havant Borough councillor, having served for four years, two of which he was Group Leader of the Lib Dems. Steve's also been a school governor for eight years and formed Sparta 81 Football Club for young people and adults which he ran for over 20 years. He cares very much about the environment and is a member of the Green Liberal Democrats.
Being a local taxi proprietor, who specialises in disabled wheelchair transport, Steve knows the borough very well and is no stranger to the pot-holed roads we have to endure on a daily basis. With his past experience he is ideally placed to represent the views of the residents of Bondfields on Havant Borough Council.
For further information contact, please Steve by email (steve@havant-libdems.org).
Battins - Katie Ray
Katie grew up in the ward, attending Front Lawn Schools then Staunton Park School followed by Havant College. She hopes to be a teacher, and is studying English at Chichester University. She said "I am keen to represent my fellow residents of Battins. I love living in Leigh Park, and would be able to bring the voice of younger people to the Borough Council."
Katie is an animal lover, especially of cats, and will work hard, if elected. She is an active member of Amnesty International.
For more information, please contact Katie by email (katie@havant-libdems.org).
Barncroft - Michael Ponsonby
Michael has lived in the area for over 30 years, bringing up his 4 children here. He has, like Vince Cable, a background in economics and he worked for IBM . He said "I would be able to bring an understanding of finance to the Borough Council, and am ready to support local residents however I can."
For more information, please contact Michael by email (michael@havant-libdems.org).
St. Faith's - Peter Corrigan
Peter has lived in Havant for nearly 40 years, coming here initially as a drama teacher at Oak Park School (now the site of the proposed Hospital), and continuing his career through Trosnant Junior and Waite End primary schools. Soon after arriving in Havant, Peter joined the Bench Theatre, and has been an active member ever since. He has just stepped down as Treasurer of the Havant Literary Festival. Peter said "I enjoyed starting up the Ghost Walks of Old Havant as part of the Festival, and long to see Havant a thriving town again."
As a member of the Havant & Bedhampton Community Board, he has a good understanding of residents' concerns.
Bedhampton - Jane Briggs
Jane was a Bedhampton councillor until after the birth of her son. She is a university lecturer and is an active member of a local church. Jane said "I am delighted to have been asked to stand for Bedhampton ward, and my priorities will be promoting our area as an excellent place to live and work, caring for our environment and keeping residents informed."
A former Lib Dem Group Leader on Fareham Borough Council, Jane would be a highly effective councillor, and would work hard to get a better deal for Bedhampton residents.
For more information, please contact Jane by email (jane@havant-libdems.org).
Emsworth - Roisin Miller
Roisin was born in Portsmouth in the eighties, went to St. James Primary School in Emsworth and Oaklands Catholic School in Waterlooville. She lives in Emsworth and has worked in retail sales for local businesses.
She is deeply proud of being an Emsworthian and is passionate about keeping the town the special place it is. As one who is closely in touch with young residents she wants to be sure their voices are heard where it counts. If elected Roisin will always fight against damaging development and for the protection of Emsworth's unique natural environment
For more information, please contact Roisin by email (roisin@havant-libdems.org).
Hayling East - Paul Pritchard
Paul is married with four grown-up children and along with his wife Diana runs a small training business from his home at Sandy point. He enjoys walking and sailing.
Before moving to the Island Paul spent 20 years as a scout leader and served two terms as a Liberal Democrat councillor on West Berkshire Unitary Council. He played an active role on planning, local transport, and facilities for young people. Paul also chaired his local Area Forum which involved regular meetings that brought local residents face to face with councillors and council officers to discuss any items of concern.
Announcing his intention to stand in the election Paul Pritchard told fellow members Im convinced Hayling can do better on transport links with the mainland, protecting our special environment, development control as well as leisure facilities and tourism. I feel that the Tories have taken Hayling residents for granted for too many years and need reminding that there are alternatives.
For further information, please contact Paul by email (paul@havant-libdems.org).
Hayling East - Angela Armstrong
Angela moved to the Borough of Havant in 1971 and, with her family, settled in Langstone in 1981. Married, she has one son who now lives in the Lib Dem constituency of Richmond!
Her career has been as a teacher of Modern Languages and for a large part of it was Head of Modern Languages at a local Comprehensive school. Not surprisingly she is a committed European!
Since retiring she has become greatly involved in the community, is Secretary of the Langstone Residents Association, a member of the Havant and Bedhampton Community Board and a driver for the 'Meals on Wheels' service.
In her leisure time she is an enthusiastic sailor and is a member of two sailing clubs in Chichester Harbour. On land, she pursues her love of plants as a committee member of The Emsworth Horticultural Society. If elected she would keep the Hayling Island's interests and needs to the fore as a conscientious and energetic councillor.
Hayling West - Ann Brown
Ann Brown is married with three grown up children and three grandchildren. Now retired, Ann worked in the Havant Borough in Home Care for nearly twenty years and has a strong knowledge of services for older people.
She is well known for her voluntary work as Secretary of the Good Neighbour scheme and is also Church Warden at St. Clare's church in Warren Park. Having lived in Stoke for eight years Ann knows Hayling Island well and would bring a fresh approach for Hayling on Havant Borough Council.
Stakes - Ann Bazley
Ann has lived in Stakes for over 40 years, and has fostered a number of children, as well as bringing up her own family. She said "For years, Stakes has been represented by councillors who don’t seem to be in touch with ordinary folk".
Purbrook - Susan Pook
Susan Pook is married with two grown up children and one grandchild. Before retiring recently, Susan worked in the NHS as an accounts clerk at St. James' Hospital in Portsmouth.
She has a strong interest in health, the environment and all green issues and is a member of Friends of the Earth. Susan would speak up for the residents of Purbrook on Havant Borough Council.