Polling Stations

• Southcote Primary School
• Manor Primary School
• Southcote Community Hub
• YMCA Parkside Road

2022 Candidates

Neil Adams, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

Ben Blackmore, Conservative

Ben is an education technology sales consultant for a software company with a focus on apprenticeships. Locally, he is a governor of Kennet Valley Primary School and sits on the board on behalf of special educational needs and disabilities children, in addition to the finance committee. He picked Southcote to raise a family and is a proud father of a two-year-old. Drawing from these experiences he wishes to champion the parents who do not believe that the local authorities are providing support that their children need.

Jason Brock, Labour

People in Southcote may recognise me as the absurdly tall one from the photos of your ward councillors. I have also been the Leader of Reading Borough Council since 2019 and was previously a history lecturer.

 

It is a privilege to serve as your Southcote ward councillor since 2016 and I am re-standing because there is, always, more work to be done. Being elected by Southcote’s residents is the greatest honour I have ever received. Together with my fellow Councillors, Debs Edwards and John Ennis, I have relished the challenges and always take great pride in the successes we have won for the benefit of people’s lives across the area. 

 

I am especially pleased with the work we’ve done in recent years to secure the Post Office, improve the Circuit Lane Surgery, and get Southcote Lane and other roads resurfaced. At present, we’re working to get a new children’s play area at Prospect Park and partnering with the Police to tackle anti-social behaviour in our community. 

 

I hope you will lend me, Debs and John your votes again so that we can continue working for, and with, you to keep making Southcote a great place to live. 

Debs Edwards, Labour

I’m Debs and I have lived in Southcote for over 34 years and have been actively involved in the community for over 28 years. I am a Governor of Manor Primary School, Chair of SITE (Southcote IT Experience), member of Southcote Community Association, and a member of the Circuit Lane Surgery Patient Participation Group. It is an honour to represent Southcote as your Labour Councillor since 2006 and I hope the work I have done and continue to do has helped residents across the area. 

 

I’m a mother and grandmother and my children grew up in Southcote, so I know the importance of good schools and the provision of youth activities to the next generation. I’m pleased that we’re currently working to bring back youth activities in our community and are building partnerships with schools and other organisations to do so. 

 

I ask for your vote, alongside my Labour colleagues Jason Brock and John Ennis, so that I can continue to represent and help you – together we can continue to make Southcote an even better place to live.

John Ennis, Labour

I was born and bred in Reading and have been your Labour Councillor in Southcote for almost twenty years, being first elected in 2003.

 

I have worked as a team with Councillors Debs Edwards and Jason Brock, regularly supporting local residents throughout the year with problems and issues and making Southcote’s interests a priority. I also went to Blessed Hugh Faringdon School as a child and have been a governor there for over fifteen years. I am also Chair of Governors at Holybrook Special School. I am currently Councillor for Adult Social Care on Reading Borough Council and, outside politics, I work as a public sector key worker and am a Reading FC season ticket holder. 

 

Most recently, I’ve been collaborating with the Police and the Southcote Neighbourhood Forum to address anti-social behaviour in our community. I’m pleased that Jason, Debs and I have secured funding for lighting improvements to Coronation Square, but we need the Police and the Council to work together to address specific issues. 

 

I am honoured to be your Labour Councillor and ask for your vote so that I can continue to represent and help you alongside my colleagues.

Gabriella Kirkby, Conservative

Gabriella moved to Reading from Gibraltar nine years ago to attend the University of Reading. After five years of studying, achieving both a BA and an MA, she has worked for MPs in both Reading and Newbury. With a keen interest in tackling anti-social behaviour and improving children’s education, Gabriella is again looking to be elected as a councillor in order to represent the interests of Southcote residents.

Riccardo Mancuso-Marcello, Lib Dem

Riccardo Mancuso-Marcello has been living in Reading for over ten years and works for a global children’s charity, helping protect children’s rights. Riccardo believes every child should have the same opportunities in life, and will work to address inequality in education and help tackle increased poverty and homelessness in Reading. If elected, his priorities are getting a fair deal for Southcote residents and services, building the affordable housing we need, where we need it, and protecting our green spaces and woodlands from further development.

Robert Vickers, Conservative

Robert has lived in Reading his whole life and has lived in Tilehurst since 1965.  His children were brought up and educated in Tilehurst and both he and his wife have run their own successful businesses.  Robert has also previously served as a GMB Union representative.

Sarah Watchman, Green

Sarah Watchman has lived in Reading for 16 years. She works in IT and currently volunteers as a school street marshal helping make our roads safer. Sarah spends her spare time jogging to explore the local area.

 

Sarah would like to see a fairer, greener, more affordable town. The Reading Green Party mini manifesto for 2022 is here: https://reading.greenparty.org.uk/manifesto/

2021 result

2019 result

2018 result

2016 result

2015 result