We are pleased to announce the Bishopstoke and Fair Oak group independent candidates for the local elections on May 6th. There are elections for County, Borough and Parish and we have candidates for all three.
Truly independent, none of our candidates are members of political parties and all live locally. We are all committed to putting people before politics. listening to you and standing up for Bishopstoke and Fair Oak.
This is a little later than we’d planned. We opted to observe a pause in campaigning out of respect, following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. And because we prioritise community safety, we will only be campaigning in ways that we feel are safe, given that covid-19 is still of great concern.
But we do already have some election successes to tell you about! Anyway, onto our candidates:
Bishopstoke and Fair Oak Group Independent Candidates
Louise Parker-Jones: Hampshire County Council: Bishopstoke and Fair Oak Ward. Louise has been a Bishopstoke Parish Councillor since 2016 and an Eastleigh Borough Councillor representing Bishopstoke since 2018. On the Borough Council, Lou is on the Administration Committee, Licencing Committee, our Local Area Committee and acts as leader of the independent group. Lou has lived on Drake Road for most of her life.
Gin Tidridge: Eastleigh Borough Council: Bishopstoke Ward. Gin has been a Bishopstoke Parish Councillor since 2016 and an Eastleigh Borough Councillor representing Bishopstoke since 2018. She is standing for re-election. On the Borough Council, Gin is on the Policy and Performance Committee, our Local Area Committee and acts as leader of the independent group. Gin lives in Stoke Common and works in Chandlers Ford.
Ralph Candy and Susan Lynch: Bishopstoke Parish Council, Itchen Ward. . Local residents who would love the opportunity to represent the Itchen Ward. Susan lives in Bishopstoke and Ralph in Fair Oak.
Bishopstoke Parish Council, Riverside Ward: Dave Francis and Louise Hillier-Wheal. Bishsopstoke residents, both keen allotment holders, who are keen to represent Riverside Ward. Louise is a teacher who lives on Guest Road. Dave has years of experience working for several local councils.
Bishopstoke Parish Council, Whalesmead Ward: Louise Parker-Jones. Lou is standing for re-election to the parish council as well as standing for the County Council. Lou is currently Vice Chair of the Parish Council’s Finance & General Purposes Committee and Chair of the Cemetery Working Group.
Bishopstoke Parish Council, Stoke Common Ward: Anne Dean and Gin Tidridge. Gin and Anne were the only two candidates to be nominated for this three councilllor parish council ward so have already been declared as Parish Councillors from 6th May. Both Anne and Gin were standing for re-election.
Bishopstoke Parish Council, Underwood Ward: Ray Dean. Ray has already been declared as a Parish Councillor from 6th May. This is because only three candidates were nominated for this three councilllor parish council ward. Ray has been as Eastleigh Borough Councillor representing Bishopstoke since 2018. He was re-elected to the Borough Council in 2019.
Although Ray, Anne and Gin are delighted to be on the Parish Council, it is disappointing that so few candidates came forward for Stoke Common and Underwood wards.
Safe Campaign Pledge
During the covid19 crisis, we feel that local elections should not compromise community safety. Politics is not more important than public health.
The Safe Campaign Pledge:
- To prioritise community safety throughout the election campaigns.
- To avoid activity that might compromise social distancing, including door-to-door canvassing and telling at polling stations.
- To advise volunteers helping to deliver leaflets on steps to be taken to reduce risk.
- To promote postal voting.
Promoted by and on behalf of: Louise Anne Parker-Jones, Gin Tidridge, Ray Dean, Dave Francis, Louise Hillier-Wheal, Anne Dean, Susan Lynch and Ralph Candy. Postal Address: Bishopstoke Independents, The IncuHive Space, Mayflower Close, Chandler’s Ford Industrial Estate, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO53 4AR.