2023 result
LABOUR HOLD
2022 result
Polling stations
- Wesley Church Hall, Queens Road, Reading
- Museum of English Rural Life, The University of Reading, Redlands Road
- St Luke’s Church Hall, Erleigh Road, Reading
- Hexham Community Centre, 1A Bamburgh Close, Reading
- Park Lounge, Windsor Hall, University of Reading, Upper Redlands Road
The candidates
Will Cross, Labour and Co-operative Party
Redlands is a great area that I am delighted to represent, having lived in and around the ward for many years. Since being elected last year, I’ve been working hard to deal with local issues like fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour on the Hexham Estate, protecting historic buildings in the Eldon Square Conservation Area, organising local litter-picks and getting improved cycle parking facilities installed at the hospital. I’m particularly pleased that, as a result of my campaigning, the Council has agreed to purchase a narrow bin lorry to resolve the problems with missed collections in the narrow streets.
Outside of the Council I work as a welfare rights adviser – I see on a daily basis the struggles that residents are facing, and if re-elected I will continue to focus on tackling inequality and the affordable housing crisis, as well as the climate emergency. I’m proud of the achievements of our Labour-run Council: cutting carbon emissions, building new council homes, introducing kerbside food waste collection and providing extra support to families on low incomes during the cost-of-living crisis. I hope to be re-elected as Redlands’ Labour voice on the Council, working with the lead councillors to get things done for our area.
Melanie Dent, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
I am standing for TUSC because I want to give people a chance to say a big loud NO to cuts, austerity and the “more money for less* attitude that seems prevalent these days. Ordinary people should not have to pay for the Government’s mistakes. I believe that people living in Redlands ward deserve better.
I hear people all around me worrying about how they are going to find the money for their bills and essential items. Living standards are at an all time low while the cost of living and inflation are at an all time high. People deserve better.
Austerity is the politician’s choice, not ours. It’s time to say No more and voting TUSC gives you a voice to do that.
Francis Jakeman, Lib Dem
Francis Jakeman is a tireless local campaigner and retired church minister in Redlands. He is passionate about the environment, transport and civil rights. If elected, he will be a passionate voice for the environment and the under-represented.
In Francis’ own words:
I was a vicar until 2013, when I retired and moved to Redlands in Reading, to be near family. I am a keen cyclist, and a member of Reading Cycling Campaign. I am concerned for the environment and have taken part in the successful SOAR campaign to protect the Thames riverside. As a committed European, I am part of the Reading/Dusseldorf Link.
I chaired the True Food Community Co-op in Emmer Green until last June, and am keen to see the Lib Dems’ manifesto for Reading put into action. I am now a community governor of Redlands Primary School.
Kate Nikulina, Green
Kate Nikulina has lived in Reading since 2019. She works for a courier business and volunteers supporting the Ukrainian community. In her spare time, Kate enjoys swimming, languages (currently learning Spanish), and cats.
Kate, who has been campaigning in Redlands Ward all year round, says, “It would be an honour to represent Redlands.
“I have met many people on the doorstep and have been working to make Redlands better. I will keep working hard and standing up for Redlands Ward.”
Green councillors and candidates are working for a fairer, greener, more affordable town.
Greens did so well at the council elections last year that we overtook the Conservatives becoming the second largest party on Reading’s Labour-run council (32 Labour councillors, 7 Green, 6 Conservative and 3 Lib Dem). Labour have a very large majority of councillors but it is very close between Greens and Conservatives for second place.
Vote Green at the council elections on Thursday 4 May for hard work year-round but also to keep the Green Party ahead of the Conservatives as the main opposition party on Reading Council.
Get involved with the campaign. We will only win with your help.
