Born and bred in Barnsley, my politics were developed in the harsh environment of the South Yorkshire
coalfield, where I saw first hand the damage and misery that Conservative governments inflicted on honest, hard working mining
communities. This culminated in the vindictive campaign waged by Margaret Thatcher and her ilk which resulted in the destruction
of the mining industry in this country and the demise of the close knit communities it had bred. Although I still have
family living in Barnsley, I moved to Grantham with my wife, Avril in 1975 and decided to settle in Lincolnshire, a County
I grew to love. During the time we have lived in Grantham, I have been a newsagent and also a publican and because of
this got to know and befriend many Granthamians. Until I had to take early retirement, I worked as a self employed
electronics engineer travelling all over the British Isles and as far away as Bangladesh, installing and maintaining safety
equipment and computerised measuring equipment on paper cutting guillotines and brake presses.
I have been a member of the Labour Party for more than twenty years. I
was elected to represent Harrowby Ward for South Kesteven District Council in a by-election in December 1997 and to Lincolnshire
County Council in 2001. Since then I have worked tirelessly to try to improve the areas I represent. I am currently coming
to the end of my second term as Grantham's Town Mayor. An achievement of which I am immensely proud. During the two terms,
my wife and I have enjoyed working with and promoting the many talented young people with which Grantham is blessed.
Whilst serving at Lincolnshire County Council during the past four years, my impression of the Conservatives
has been tainted after witnessing first hand the corruption, cronyism and sheer inadequacy which brought about the downfall
of the recent administration. Lincolnshire Tories believe they have a God given right to rule, whether they are
competent or not appears to be irrelevant. This attitude has led to the corruption and totally inadequate performance
of the ruling group at Lincoln. That is why I feel it is now desperately important to get rid of them and let a new broom
sweep County Offices clean. I am certain that such a move would be welcomed by the officers and employees at Lincoln who have
striven to provide good services despite everything that has been going on around them.
Despite my avid interest in politics, I do have another life and am basically a family man.
I have been married to Avril for 42 years and have two sons. We are now the proud owner of two grandsons, Joshua 5 and
Evan 3 who we love dearly and who are shortly moving with their Mum and Dad to live in Poole, Dorset.
I like to relax by listening to classical music, especially Mozart and when I get the opportunity,
I like to paint. I am just starting to dabble with watercolours, a medium I've never tried before but it seems like another
challenge. I also want to try my hand at writing, that is if I ever can find the time.
I hope that you will support and trust me with your vote at the elections on May 5th. This will enable
me to continue the work I started four years ago and hopefully, with a Labour administration in place, the Council may be
able to deliver the services the people of Lincolnshire need and deserve.
