Political Experience: I can say I’ve been involved in politics since 1964, and having studied Government as a student in the 1970’s my interest has never wavered.

Years in Labour Party: 5

For: Regarding Bewdley, councillors need to ensure their voices are heard regarding the environment, which is the one thing we hold in trust for future generations, and are seeing the effects now particularly with flooding; we need to balance the needs of people now, for housing and transport for example, with the need to protect our open spaces.

Against: On a wider canvas, one of the greatest issues facing the country is that of inequality and the lack of justice in the distribution of wealth and opportunity.  A town council may seem to have little influence, but in the way we treat each other locally we can see how we treat others with love and respect.

Greatest Achievement: In my life my greatest achievement is to have brought hundreds of learners to the point where they believed in themselves, and had the self-confidence to take control of their own learning and their own futures. My single greatest moment was to have taken the lead for British Quakers in 2009 when we agreed the principle of equality of marriage (including an early morning appearance on Radio 4) and I believe the tipping point for the country to move to where we are now. Little acts can change the world!