Elections

Candidates in Churchill

TonyOX3

Churchill

Berk Bektas (Con)
I am currently an undergrad at Oxford Brookes University, where I am studying International Relations and History. I came with my family as a toddler to Britain due to the political persecution my father suffered as a Human Rights activist. This is where my interest in politics started. I looked into and studied Britain’s political system, and have always found its history is fascinating, I absolutely love it. Why am I a Conservative? I grew up in a council estate in Islington, moved to Hackney during my teens, and went to a Sixth-Form in Camden. Growing up in these places, I saw many people who seemed to always play the victim; the Britain in which I grew up was one which didn’t incentivise people to work, and to therefore better their situation. I want power returned to the people, and not the state, that’s why I am a Conservative.
Berk Bektas’ twitter account carries the single slogan “Abolish Tuition Fees!”. Other than to reiterate that he is a student he declined to elaborate on this anti-Conservative stance when I contacted him. [1][4]
Susan Brown (Lab)
Grew up in Oxford and has lived here most of her life. Works for the NHS and has two children. Experienced councillor who represented Churchill ward for 13 years (with a 7 year break!). She is particularly proud of the role she played in improvements in housing in the area, the holiday play scheme for young people in Wood Farm and measures to tackle antisocial behaviour. [2]
Julian Faultless (Green)
Has lived in Oxford for nearly twenty years. Teacher of instrumental music to children in schools so has a keen interest in educational issues. Julian has been a resident of Churchill ward for over five years and is happy to be living in a house facing Magdalen wood. He has particular interests in issues of opportunities for local young people, local transport, leisure facilities, recycling and upkeep of the environment. [3] [Update 11/5/14: This current statement is unchanged from 2 years ago apart from changing ‘about’ to ‘nearly’ in the first line.]
James Reilly (LibDem)
No information yet.
David Slater (UKIP)
Dave is a retired teacher having taught for nearly 30 years in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire comprehensive schools. He was born in Liverpool and comes from a working class background which still influences him strongly. Dave believes very strongly in Democracy and joined UKIP because he felt that a referendum on EU membership was long overdue. Youth unemployment is a matter of great concern to him and he believes that the other political parties no longer represent the manual workers of this country. Locally, he is concerned by the piece-meal approach that Oxford council takes to traffic congestion and that a realistic, integrated transport policy is long overdue. Since UKIP councillors are not bound by Party Policy, he promises that the views of local people will be strongly represented on Oxford council. Dave views UKIP as the People’s Party. [5]

Sources
[1] @BerkBBektas
[2] oxfordlabour.org.uk
[3] oxford.greenparty.org.uk.
[4] oxfordshireconservatives.com
[5] By email

Candidates in Headington

TonyOX3

Headington

Mohammed Altaf Khan (LibDem)
Altaf-Khan has been living and working in OX3 for more than two decades and is very in touch with the area, the people and their issues. Altaf is a family man and all his children have been born, bred and schooled locally. He was elected as an Oxfordshire County councillor in 2005 for Headington & Marston Division and has been an Oxford City councillor since 2006 for Headington Hill & Northway. As Shadow Cabinet Member for Community Safety (Oxfordshire County Council), he undertook major reviews like “Improving Recruitment and Sustainment of Retained Fire-fighters” and “Improving Oxfordshire Registration Service”. Altaf is a friendly and approachable councillor. He has a close working relationship with both fellow Oxford City councillors David and Ruth in Headington and wants to make the area cleaner and greener while keeping a focus on planning and community engagement so that the council listens to local people. [5]
Theodora Dickinson (Con)
Originally from the inner-city London borough of Lewisham, I have been living and studying in Oxford for nearly three years, and currently live locally – in Barton. I have been brought up with an ethos of working hard and wanting to get on – and I want to work hard for Headington. My mum runs a small business, so I am keen to fight for local shops and small businesses in Headington.
If elected I will fight for a council tax freeze so that hardworking people can keep more of their own money, and so that our city can enjoy a share of these millions of pounds to invest in our local area. I will ensure that potholes in Headington are fixed in a timely manner.
On Theodora’s twitter account she describes herself as a “Tea- and Train-loving Tory”. [1][4]
David Boyd Haycock (Green)
Born in Banbury, grew up in Boston (Lincs) and Ripon. Read Modern History at St John’s College, Oxford, then MA in Art History at Sussex University. Published author on art history and Spanish Civil War. Currently living in Marston. Interests include longevity, archaeology, the history of art, biography and the environment. Keen member of the Green Party and my pet hate is noise; I long to live somewhere far, far from main roads. [2]
David Henwood (Lab)
Design & technology teacher in Oxfordshire. Graduated from Brookes University and has lived here for 35 years. Has two children and used to run a small business. Helped procure funding for redeveloping two recreation grounds in Oxford. Particularly concerned about supporting local businesses and pursuing community and environmental matters in Headington. In his spare time, David enjoys rowing. [3]

Sources
[1] @TheaDickinson
[2] David Haycock’s non-election ‘About Me’ page.
[3] oxfordlabour.org.uk
[4] oxfordshireconservatives.com
[5] By email

Candidates in Headington Hill & Northway

TonyOX3

Headington Hill & Northway

Farida Anwar (Lab)
Farida lives in Headley Way and has been involved in Oxford local matters for many years being currently a governor at St Michael’s Primary. Farida has been an Executive member of Oxfordshire Council for Community Relations. She worked as a civil servant in Health and Social Security for nearly 40 years and is an active member of UNISON. Farida is currently an Honorary Secretary of the Oxfordshire Bangladeshi Association and the Chair of its Women and Toddlers Group, involved with the charity MIND and active in the Oxfordshire Muslim and Christian Forum. [1]
Ruth Bamber (Green)
[Added 11/5/14] Ruth Bamber is a 31 year old passionate nurse, a proud NHS employee who believes strongly in a publicly owned NHS where patients’ needs are at its core. Ruth works in the JR and has been living around Headington Hill for 9 months. She has always held a left wing outlook and, like her parents, believed in the ethos of old Labour. In recent years Ruth has become frustrated feeling unrepresented. By chance, when watching an interview with Caroline Lucas on TV she was motivated to research the Party.  She felt that the Green party was a intriguing viable alternative. realising the major ethos and polices the Greens were offering filled the void for her.
Ruth holds compassion for those who have had less opportunities to succeed and is interested in assisting in making real changes to even the balance. Ruth works with many vulnerable groups and can see the impact of the government’s cuts, which effects people’s quality of life and health. As somebody who rents a house in Oxford and lives on a modest wage, Ruth can feel the effects of the high cost of living in Oxford and is keen to have this issue addressed to be able to provide and create affordable housing. Ruth would like to represent the Green party in her ward as a approachable advocate who will address local concerns. [3]
Mark Bhagwandin (Con)
Mark Bhagwandin is a trained broadcast journalist and former news editor, originally from Guyana. He now manages media relations for LIFE, a national pro-life charity which provides counselling, practical support and accommodation for pregnant homeless women. Mark holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, a Post Graduate Diploma in International Studies from the University of Guyana and a Masters Degree in International Journalism from City University, London. Mark is also a parent governor at Wheatley Park School. Within the Conservative Party, Mark is Chairman of the Oxford East Conservative Association and the Oxford Conservative Policy Forum. He lives in Headington with his wife Vanessa and their two teenage children.
Mark believes residents of Oxford pay too much in council tax while money is wasted by the council on grandiose schemes and exorbitant salaries for top officers. He also feels that the absence of any significant political opposition on the Oxford City Council means that the Labour Party does exactly what it pleases, either completely ignoring people’s views or engaging in a process which makes a mockery of consultation. [2]
Maria Bourbon (LibDem)
No information yet.
Nicholas Fell
I understand Nicholas Fell does not wish to be considered as a candidate in these elections.

Sources
[1] oxfordlabour.org.uk
[2] oxfordshireconservatives.com
[3] greenoxfordshire.com