Nominations closed for the county and district council elections this year on last Friday, April 9, and East Sussex County Council leader Keith Glazier is standing again in Rye and Eastern Rother division against Ash Madden from the Labour Party and Dominic Manning from the Green Party.
In the Eastern Rother Ward of Rother District Council (RDC) Lizzie Hacking had already announced she was standing in place of Sally-Ann Hart, who is now the Member of Parliament for Hastings and Rye.
She will be opposed by Kate Lamb for the Liberal Democrats and Ash Madden for the Labour Party in this RDC by-election.
Ash Madden had already submitted an article to Rye News (see below) which was held over with other articles for production reasons until this week and, as editor, I look forward to publishing formal statements from all the candidates if they submit them by April 20 for publication on Friday April 23. Voting does not take place until May 6 between 7am and 10pm, but it is possible because of the Covid-19 pandemic that more people may decide to vote earlier by post (if they apply in time).
Time for a change?
"I am proud to have been selected by Rye and District Labour Party, writes Ash Madden, to stand as both county and district council candidate in the upcoming local elections on May 6.
I have a long connection with this area and currently volunteer at Rye Food Bank, where last year we provided more than 50 tonnes of food to people in need all around the area. You may well have seen me out and about collecting donations, moving stock and delivering food parcels.
I’m also often seen delivering organic veg boxes and growing kits for the Hands of Hope charity in Peasmarsh where I volunteer as well.
I was brought up in a family (one parent Tory and one Labour) where disparate political opinions were discussed openly, and a working consensus was agreed. The reason I mention this is because getting things done on our county and district councils requires working together collaboratively with people from other parties and with differing views.
About getting stuff done
Council work is often about getting stuff done efficiently and effectively on a tight budget, rather than about party politics. That’s where my work experience comes in. I’ve worked in many organisations both large and small. I’ve been involved in business start-ups and I know what it’s like to work on a tight or even non-existent budget.
I am conscientious, compassionate and straightforward. I listen to people and their concerns. To that end, I’ve been telephoning local people to gather their opinions on the issues that matter most to them. So, if you see an unfamiliar number come up on your phone, it might well be me!
In the current circumstances, I fully understand people have reservations about engaging with candidates (of any party) on the doorstep. So, much as I would like to, I won’t be knocking on your door just yet. But I’d love to hear your opinions, concerns and questions. Please email me at ash.madden@hastingsandryelabour.org.uk or call me on 07717 709772.
As your Labour councillor, I would help make the councils not just more effective and efficient, but fairer and more equal too".
