Voters in Village Ward in Dagenham will soon head to the polls (the date is to be announced) to elect two new councillors. Graham Gosling and Ben Suter have been selected as the candidates for this double by-election. Graham and Ben will protect our green spaces, stand up for local drivers and stop unwanted tower blocks. These priorities put local people first!.
Graham says:
I have lived in Dagenham most of my life going to Robert Clack Comprehensive and what is now Barking & Dagenham College. I had various work experiences before studying at Heythrop College, University of London. In those days we received a grant now students take out loans and I understand how difficult the financial stress can be on students these days.
Dagenham has been Labour controlled from the year dot, indeed my parents voted Labour as theirs before them. I have also in the past voted Labour after all that's what people in Dagenham do. In recent years our local community has been the poor brother of Barking, our Civic Centre where we would go to pay rents and obtain advice from our Council has become a University.
I don't need to tell you our community has been almost abandoned by our Labour Council. You might think I would make you loads of promises of what Ben and I can achieve. I'M NOT! I make only One Promise, I will represent you and your needs - the needs of our Community. I will therefore always put the people of Village Ward First.
Ben says:
I am standing to be the next Councillor for Dagenham Village Ward alongside Graham Gosling. I have lived in Dagenham my whole life and am passionate about the future of our town.
As a young person, I have seen how Labour's huge tower blocks are forcing local people out of our area. They aren't building the family homes needed for the future, which forces families to move out often leaving family and friends behind. The people of Dagenham deserve better.
I have campaigned successfully to stop the Labour Council imposing charges on local people to park outside their own home in Dagenham. Graham and I will continue this work as your councillors and always put you first.
The challenges our community faces are big, but Graham and I will tackle them head on. We must turn the page on failed Labour leadership locally and open a new chapter for the future of our town.
The by-election date will soon be formally announced by Barking & Dagenham Council.
On Polling Day, polling stations will be open from 07:00 until 22:00.
Voters can also vote by post. The deadline to register for a postal vote will close after the by-election date is announced. To sign up for a postl vote please go to Apply for a postal vote on the UK government website.
There will also another by-election in Barking & Dagenham on the same day for the Northbury ward in Barking.
