I am a former barrister with a broad range of experience spanning thirty years having worked in the legal profession, the financial services sector and academia. 

I have a long history of voluntary work for NGO’s and charities specialising in social justice issues and am an active campaigner on local community issues relating to healthcare, the environment and local planning.  

I am not a career politician. 

I am relatively new to politics but driven by a deep desire to change the state our country is in. 

Birmingham Erdington is a community rich in diversity and history, but it is facing significant challenges that need urgent attention. 

• The cost-of-living crisis is placing an immense strain on families and individuals with matters made worse by local service cuts, that have decimated essential public services such as libraries and informal recreational spaces.
• The chronic waiting times that plague our NHS are another critical issue. Our healthcare system is stretched to its limits, and residents are facing unacceptable delays for essential treatments and services.
• Urban cramming and the proliferation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are altering the character of our neighbourhoods, putting additional pressure on local services and infrastructure.

Despite the rhetoric and promises of “levelling up”, there has been no significant progress in reducing regional disparities or improving economic conditions in Birmingham.  Meanwhile, the Labour Council's unprecedented and spectacular mismanagement of the city's finances has resulted in effective bankruptcy and the Council having to hand over control of financial decision-making to government appointed commissioners. 

It is however the people of Birmingham who are having to pay the ultimate price with the Labour Council's proposed council tax rise of 21% over two years, and budget cuts (reported to be the largest in local authority history) that include cutting up to 600 council jobs, scrapping almost all arts funding, selling 11 community centres, dimming streetlights and reducing bin collections to a fortnightly service. 

The track record of the two major parties in Birmingham show that the Conservatives don’t care, and that Labour can’t manage. 

As your candidate, I will advocate for policies that provide real relief and support those who need it most.  

I will work tirelessly to push for increased funding and resources to ensure that everyone in our community has timely access to high-quality healthcare and I will fight for stricter regulations on HMOs and advocate for sustainable urban planning that preserves the integrity of our communities. 

These issues go to the core of what Liberal Democrats have always stood for: a fair society which balances the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community. 

Labour is right about one thing; it is time for change!  This election provides an opportunity for the community to say, “enough is enough" by voting for the Liberal Democrats.