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These are the candidates and their own words as to why they are standing.
North Baddesley
Joe Billett (Local Conservatives)
Joe lives with his young family near Romsey, having been born and brought up in Test Valley. He works in the family business and wants to bring that local experience to bear if he’s elected to represent the great area of North Baddesley.
Lynne Colton (Local Conservatives)
Lynne lives just outside North Baddesley, having moved in recent years from the Waterside area. She’s passionate about social justice and is determined that those in greatest need should receive proactive and help from their local councillors.
Geoff Cooper (Liberal Democrats)
I was lucky enough to grow up in the local area and I am now proud to represent the people of North Baddesley as their borough councillor.
Political life was never something I imagined for myself. I studied a drama and dance BA Hons degree at Liverpool John Moores University before moving to London to chase the acting dream. I worked in the performing arts industry, before developing contacts in the hospitality industry where I worked as a sales representative for a drinks company and began my new career.
Now with almost two decades of experience working in commerce, I’m employed by Bacardi-Martini Ltd, as an European business co-ordinator where I specialise as an internal consultant on commercial ways of working and processes, IT system landscapes and team capabilities.
It was the combination of starting my own family and returning to my home town, that gave me the motivation to put myself forward for public service. It is for my daughter’s future and the future of all our children, that I will do everything within my power to ensure that every opportunity is taken to protect, enhance and improve the quality of life for North Baddesley residents and the surrounding area.
Amanda Ford (Liberal Democrats)
I have lived in North Baddesley for over 15 years. I grew up locally and went to Mountbatten School as did my son.
I am a parish councillor for North Baddesley. I am employed by the Royal College of Nursing and am an active NHS campaigner.
I relish the opportunity to get things done. I will represent the residents of North Baddesley by working with community groups and local residents listening to their views, raising issues and concerns.
Richard Jan Franke (Local Conservatives)
Richard was born in Zimbabwe and has lived in Test Valley for the last six years. He’s had a career as an hotelier and more recently worked in the Ministry of Justice before retiring. He’s a parish councillor in Mid Test and wants to bring his broad life experience to help the residents of North Baddesley.
Callum Peter Jackson (Labour Party)
No comments.
Dr Alan Warnes (Liberal Democrats)
I have lived in North Baddesley for nearly 40 years having been married there, with three Children, who all went to the local schools.
I have worked in academia, industry and the NHS, the latter for over 30 years.
I have also served as a parish councillor for over 10 years and as a borough councillor since 2019. I am proud to have served as a councillor representing the residents of North Baddesley trying to make it a great place to live and hope to continue to do so with your support.
Romsey Abbey
Nik Daas (Liberal Democrats)
Nik has lived in Romsey his entire life and works as a project manager for a multinational business. Nik has been a councillor on Test Valley & Romsey Town Council since 2019.
Prior to being a councillor, Nik set up a local youth campaign group with Youth in Romsey, which successfully campaigned for such things as the Duttons Road puffin crossing and Southampton Road cycle lane. He also spent some years in the Royal Navy Reserves.
As your councillor, Nik continues to champion Romsey’s small businesses as well as holding local housing group, Aster, to account with more action for its residents.
Nik cares deeply about our community and continues to work to make Romsey even better.
Joe Dwyer (Local Conservatives)
Joe lives in the centre of Romsey with his partner, a nurse, who both studied in Southampton. He grew up in Kent, but moved to Romsey after university. He works as an estimator for a local groundworks firm. If elected, Joe wants to make sure that the Brewery site does not remain an empty plot. He will campaign to preserve the countryside surrounding Romsey, as excessive development will destroy its special character, and to make sure that any new developments come with suitable infrastructure.
Sandra Julia Gidley (Liberal Democrats)
Sandra is a pharmacist by profession and has been chair of English Pharmacy Board and president of Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Sandra was also our MP for 10 years and has been a councillor for 12 years, so brings a wealth of experience
Sandra was recently elected as a governor at University Hospital Southampton Trust – representing Test Valley, Eastleigh and New Forest and is a school governor at Romsey Abbey Primary School. In addition to serving in these roles and being your councillors, Sandra is also a volunteer duty manager at the Plaza Theatre.
Sandra has a passion for getting things done and has dealt with a large amount of issues raised by local residents.
Nick Michell (Local Conservatives)
Nick is a well-known, local businessman who has lived in Romsey for many years. He is married to Suzi and together have brought up their family in the town. Nick owns a fashion business in Bell Street called Cavendish and will be able to use his wealth of real-world local knowledge and experience as your councillor. He is dedicated to being a community-focused councillor who will listen and act on your best interests for a fairer, cleaner, greener Romsey. Living and working in the town means he can concentrate on the needs of the residents.
Andrew Drummond Peterson (Heritage Party)
£I was born in London and brought up in Winchester; I moved to Romsey in 2006. I have a degree in Russian (Surrey University 1990). In a varied career, I have worked in the civil service and run my own business, a taxi firm. I joined Royal Mail in 2006. I have visited several European countries as well as the USA, Canada and South Africa. I love history, music and reading.”
I am for:
Brexit Freedom of speech
Lower taxation wokery and virtue signalling
Pride in Western civilisation
I am against:
Ukraine war
Lockdowns and mandates of any kind
Central Bank Digital
Climate alarmism
Bernard Lawrence Van den Berg (Labour Party)
I have not lived on Romsey long but I have a come to love the town and appreciate the warm welcome I receive when out and about. Something I have observed is the way the two main parties have taken your votes for granted. For years they have promised much and delivered little. A fresh face is needed, someone who sees things with a different perspective, fresh eyes and who will not be afraid to challenge the cosy Lib Dem/Tory club. If, like me, you want to have an energetic councillor fighting your corner for the issues that matter to you locally then please vote for change. Vote Bernard van den Berg.
