Author: croydonconstitutionalists

With local elections here in Croydon in May, we speak with Vanessa Calou, Reform UK candidate for Addiscombe East.

“I’m standing because I believe in putting Britain and our communities first and in giving residents a real say in decisions that affect their lives”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

I’m Vanessa Calou, Reform UK’s candidate for Addiscombe East. I am a proud British Chagossian, born in exile after my family were forcibly removed from the Chagos Islands. I’ve lived in Croydon for over 20 years, raised two children (both born at Mayday Hospital) and have long been active locally. My background includes youth counselling and leadership work overseas, a Diploma in Travel & Tourism, more than 15 years at Gatwick as a Passenger Service Agent and union representative, and volunteer service as a BIOT citizen representative and with Citizens Advice. I’m standing to deliver accountable, community-first leadership for the place I call home.

I’m standing because I believe in putting Britain and our communities first and in giving residents a real say in decisions that affect their lives. Reform’s commitment to secure our borders, protect sovereignty and defend our Overseas Territories aligns with my campaign for recognition and self-determination for the British Chagossian community. Having seen how policy affects families, I want to restore integrity, stop waste, and make the council work for ordinary people.

“People want reliable frontline services and safer, cleaner streets”

You’re the prospective candidate for Addiscombe East ward, what are the major concerns in the area?

Residents tell me their top concerns are: the housing crisis and poor-quality housing or delays in repairs; the risk of homelessness for vulnerable families; persistent fly-tipping, litter and poorly maintained public spaces; antisocial behaviour and the need for more visible, effective local policing; parking and local traffic management; and lack of investment in youth services and local schools. People want reliable frontline services and safer, cleaner streets.

More widely what do you see as the big issues for Croydon and if elected what would you hope to champion?

Croydon faces a broken model of council spending and risky property deals, rising bills without better services, a housing crisis, and patchy delivery on basic street maintenance and public safety. If elected I will push for: a full efficiency review of council spending; no council tax rises above inflation until residents see value for money; prioritising decent, safe housing and preventing homelessness; tackling fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour; and stronger investment in education and youth wellbeing. I will also champion recognition and self-determination for the British Chagossian community and ensure local decisions are transparent and accountable.

“Croydon faces a broken model of council spending and risky property deals, rising bills without better services, a housing crisis…..”

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

Visit the Reform UK Croydon Facebook page on the Reform Croydon UK website.  Come to our street stalls and surgeries or get in touch through the campaign contact details on our site. You can help by volunteering to deliver leaflets, door-knock, phone bank, host a small meeting, or simply spread the word locally. If you have a local issue you want me to raise, please get in touch via chair.croydon@reformuk.com — I’m listening and ready to help. You can find out more in our booklet ‘CROYDON NEEDS REFORM – OUR CONTRACT WITH YOU’.

With local elections here in Croydon in May, we speak with Nick Collins, Reform UK candidate for Old Coulsdon.

“I have seen how countries in Asia have overtaken Europe and Britain by having sensible policies run by professionals and how the opposite has happened in Britain”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

With a MA in history from the University of Cambridge, I spent a 40 career in the shipping industry and almost as many as a resident of the Croydon area. Working in the City on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.  I have also worked extensively overseas in Tokyo for over 3 years, in Singapore as CEO for over 3 years and in Dubai as a COO for over 5 years all as bases to do business around the world.  Advising large multinational companies on global shipping strategy and I have been involved in thousands of deals.

I have seen how countries in Asia have overtaken Europe and Britain by having sensible policies run by professionals and how the opposite has happened in Britain. I will bring commercial rigour into local government so taxpayer money is not wasted and more can be retained by voters/taxpayers – the way more prosperous societies are created.

I have also authored books on how shipping works and after retirement a wrote a three volume history of maritime trade, the last of which The Ascent of Maritime Trade 1700-2025 (due out in April 2026) includes a chapter analysing the decline of maritime Britain and hence Britain itself – described by a peer reviewer as ‘an essential text for today’. For more on my books and social media output please go to maritimetradehistory.com.

“I will bring commercial rigour into local government so taxpayer money is not wasted and more can be retained by voters/taxpayers”

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

You can find out more in our booklet ‘CROYDON NEEDS REFORM – OUR CONTRACT WITH YOU’.  You can also follow us on Facebook or contact us at chair.croydon@reformuk.com.

With local elections here in Croydon in May, we speak with Neil Watson, Reform UK candidate for New Addington North.

“I intend to foster a secure, confident, and stable future for our children by tackling head-on the problems we face”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

I am standing for Reform in New Addington North for Croydon Council because we can bring much-needed change not only to our borough, but to the country as a whole.

My career to date has involved policing, security, and education (as well as running businesses), so I can see how various elements need to flourish if our nation is to prosper.

I intend to foster a secure, confident, and stable future for our children by tackling head-on the problems we face in a decisive but fair manner.

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

You can find out more in our booklet ‘CROYDON NEEDS REFORM – OUR CONTRACT WITH YOU’.  You can also follow us on Facebook or contact us at chair.croydon@reformuk.com.

With local elections here in Croydon in May, we speak with Christine Bigrigg, Reform UK candidate for Broad Green.

“we now have situation where the Borough has been bankrupted leaving the town’s services poorly run with shops closing down and crime moving in”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

I was born in Croydon and lived in a prefab in New Addington after the last War and watched it grow and evolve from a cold and desolate place with no roads or pavements and just 4 or 5 shops, into a thriving community, Croydon grew into a town to be proud of and almost made City status.

Unfortunately, things have changed for the worst and because of the appalling way that the 2 main parties have run the town for the last couple of decades we now have situation where the Borough has been bankrupted leaving the town’s services poorly run with shops closing down and crime moving in.

“Reform are brave and stand for freedom from the downward spiral of political and moral decline currently thriving in the UK”

What do you see as the big issues for Croydon and if elected what would you hope to champion?

I am frustrated with the daily news of illegal migration, along with violence, crime and a government who appears to lack the political will to deal with situation, similar things are happening to towns and cities all over our country.

Reform are brave and stand for freedom from the downward spiral of political and moral decline currently thriving in the UK.  We may not have all the answers but I know we will give it a damn good try to reverse the decline and put us back on a footing where we can work towards making our country a place to be proud of once again.

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

You can find out more in our booklet ‘CROYDON NEEDS REFORM – OUR CONTRACT WITH YOU’.  You can also follow us on Facebook or contact us at chair.croydon@reformuk.com.

With local elections here in Croydon in May, we speak with Paula Bucur, Reform UK candidate for Shirley South.

“I joined Reform because I share their goals and their commitment to improving the local business environment, supporting small businesses, and standing up for the working class”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

My name is Paula, and I have been part of the Croydon community since 2017, when I took over a local pub in Addiscombe. I joined Reform because I share their goals and their commitment to improving the local business environment, supporting small businesses, and standing up for the working class.

The hospitality sector is being hit hard. Rising taxes and soaring bills have created a volatile and unpredictable business climate, making it increasingly difficult for us to do our jobs. It’s easy to point out everything that’s going wrong, but I believe the time has come for us to take action. By addressing issues at a local level, we can help drive positive change across the country as a whole.

I am interested in becoming a local councillor because this role would give me the opportunity to work directly with the people and organisations who can help us tackle community challenges and build a better environment for everyone living in Croydon.

I look forward to representing the community of Shirley South, and I am confident that, together, we can make Croydon a better place and bring more people on board who believe in our goals and what we stand for.

“It’s easy to point out everything that’s going wrong, but I believe the time has come for us to take action”

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

You can find out more in our booklet ‘CROYDON NEEDS REFORM – OUR CONTRACT WITH YOU’.  You can also follow us on Facebook or contact us at chair.croydon@reformuk.com.

With local elections here in Croydon in May, we speak with David Booth, Reform UK candidate for Kenley.

“We badly need to be governed by people who care about the country’s future”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

I am standing for Reform in Kenley because I am fed up.

We badly need to be governed by people who care about the country’s future. At the very least, that means keeping us safe, defending our borders, protecting our institutions and respecting our history. Labour is doing none of those things. The Tories are once again talking conservative but they have shown repeatedly that they cannot be trusted in power.

Between them, the established parties have also driven the economy into the ground, by destroying incentives and losing control of spending, locally as well as nationally.

I am hopeful for the future too.

Reform has put together a programme to put things right, including radical legislation to restore the sovereignty of parliament and start rebuilding Britain as a prosperous, multi-ethnic but culturally coherent, nation-state, based on mutual respect and love of country.

We have exciting plans – set out in “Croydon Needs Reform: Our Contract with You” – to begin this process after the local elections in May.

I was brought up in Essex and spent a long career in research and teaching. My home has been Purley for the last 25 years and I spend much of my leisure time in Kenley. The common, and the airfield and its traditions, are close to my heart.

I shall be proud to represent the interests of the ward if Kenley voters choose to elect me.

” the established parties have also driven the economy into the ground, by destroying incentives and losing control of spending”

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

You can follow us on Facebook or contact us at chair.croydon@reformuk.com.

With local elections here in Croydon in May, we speak with Anna Hills, Reform UK candidate for Coulsdon Town.

“I’m passionate about our nation and the ward I reside in. I’ve lived in the area for almost 20 years”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

I’m representing Reform UK for Councillor in Coulsdon Town in the May 2026 by-election because I’m passionate about our nation and the ward I reside in. I’ve lived in the area for almost 20 years and together with my husband run a boiler maintenance business. Married for 34 years, we have two grown up children and have recently become grandparents.

“Lack of parking in Coulsdon Town.  Many residents live up steep hills in the ward and are heavily reliant on their vehicles for work and shopping”

What do you see as the big issues for Croydon and if elected what would you hope to champion?

 While knocking on doors and speaking to the residents in Coulsdon Town ward, these are the main issues affecting the residents and if I’m elected would like to look into and help:

1. The ever-increasing council tax bill.  Reform need to look at the finances as currently under the uni-parties, Croydon is £1.4 Billion in debt and even with the £119 million injection from Central Government will not be able to bail this council out of debt.  The residents will keep paying interest on the loans for many years penalising Croydon’s residents.
2. The state of the roads and wear on vehicles as a consequence of pot holes.
3. Lack of parking in Coulsdon Town.  Many residents live up steep hills in the ward and are heavily reliant on their vehicles for work and shopping.
4. Direct trains to Victoria from Woodmansterne and Coulsdon Town stations no longer operate and travellers have to change at East Croydon or walk to Coulsdon South station for direct trains.
5. Town centre safety at night is a concern for individuals and some residents would like to see foot police patrolling the streets. Anti-social behaviour after pub tipping out time is affecting shopkeeper’s premises and one reported his glass fronted shop door had been smashed.

As far as central Croydon is concerned, there are serious issues with safety and shops are closing rapidly.  This can only lead to a ghost town situation and the temptation of a reduction or removal of business rates would help in light of the financial strains small businesses are being affected by currently.   People talk about shopping elsewhere.

On national issues, I have been heavily involved in the Anti ULEZ movement and in support of farmers by attending many of their rallies. Reform’s motto of Family, Community and Country will play a big part in any decisions made should I be elected. Being able to assist Coulsdon residents as one of Reform’s first councillors in Croydon will be a privilege. Together we can make the changes needed to keep improving the ward.

“I have been heavily involved in the Anti ULEZ movement and in support of farmers by attending many of their rallies”

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

You can follow me on Facebook and TikTok.  You can also find out more in our booklet ‘CROYDON NEEDS REFORM – OUR CONTRACT WITH YOU’ and follow us on Facebook or contact us at chair.croydon@reformuk.com.

With local elections here in Croydon in May, we speak with Jonathan Clarke, Reform UK candidate for Shirley North.

“I want to see Croydon well managed, financially responsible, and focused on the everyday concerns of the people who live and work here”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

I am standing as a Reform UK in Shirley North because I care deeply about the future of our borough and believe local residents deserve better from their council. I want to see Croydon well managed, financially responsible, and focused on the everyday concerns of the people who live and work here.

Both nationally and locally, the UK is in need of positive change.

I grew up in the Borough of Croydon and have spent most of my adult life living here. I am a family man and work in legal services, and like many residents I want to see our area thrive – with safe streets, reliable services, and opportunities for future generations.

“At council level, that means living within our means, focusing on core services, delivering value for money”

What do you see as the big issues for Croydon and if elected what would you hope to champion?

Over recent years, Croydon has faced real challenges. Residents see the impact in day-to-day life: pressure on services, rising council tax, and difficult financial decisions that have affected confidence in local government. Many people feel the council lacks a clear long-term plan and stronger financial discipline.

Local government should always put residents first. Too often, people feel decisions are made without proper engagement or a clear focus on delivery. It’s understandable that residents and local businesses feel they are paying more while receiving less in return.

Reform UK believes in sensible politics and professional management, both locally and nationally. At council level, that means living within our means, focusing on core services, delivering value for money, and being open, transparent and accountable to residents.

Croydon has real potential. London should be a thriving, booming global city of culture, creativity and opportunity – and Croydon should fully share in that success.

I am standing to help restore confidence, competence and community pride, and to ensure local government works better for the people who live, work and pay their taxes here.

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

You can find out more in our booklet ‘CROYDON NEEDS REFORM – OUR CONTRACT WITH YOU’.  You can also follow us on Facebook or contact us at chair.croydon@reformuk.com.

With local elections here in Croydon in May, we speak with Angus MacDonald, Reform UK candidate for Old Coulsdon.

“I was born in London and spent my early years in Streatham.  I have been a resident in the Coulsdon/Purley area for the last 46 years”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

I was born in London and spent my early years in Streatham.  I have been a resident in the Coulsdon/Purley area for the last 46 years and married for 52 years with two grown up children & 4 grandchildren.

Recently retired, I am a Chartered Consulting Engineer and worked in the construction industry I established my own Consultancy Practice in 1988 based in Sutton and latterly in the borough of Croydon.

“I have watched from the sidelines with dismay the gradual decline of the borough of Croydon”

What do you see as the big issues for Croydon and if elected what would you hope to champion?

I have watched from the sidelines with dismay the gradual decline of the borough of Croydon under various administrations decaying from a forward-looking modern town centre built largely in the 60’s, to be reduced to an indebted, shadow of its former glory as a thriving centre of commerce. The incompetence of previous administrations has led to vast debts which will probably never be repaid, leaving local council taxpayers on the hook for significant debt repayments far into the future.

I am now, both angered and saddened by the state of the borough and I have reached to point at which I feel I have to do something to arrest the decline and be an active participant in rebuilding the borough. I believe a Reform administration can make a material difference to the direction Croydon must take.

I now have the time and energy to put something back into Croydon and hitherto under the two-party system, saw nothing to choose between them. I have been inspired by the advent of a 3rd force in politics, with an agenda for real change and a break with the past.

The new energy that is apparent, both in the new party and the population at large will enable us to inject new perspectives into the debate and have a material impact on people’s lives in the borough.

“both angered and saddened by the state of the borough and I have reached to point at which I feel I have to do something to arrest the decline”

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

You can find out more in our booklet ‘CROYDON NEEDS REFORM – OUR CONTRACT WITH YOU’.  You can also follow us on Facebook or contact us at chair.croydon@reformuk.com.

With local elections here in Croydon in May, we speak with Susan Millward, Reform UK candidate for Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood.

“I would like to see our area of London cleaned up and restored to how I remember it some years ago”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

I am 72 years old, was born in Camberwell, grew up in East Dulwich, moved to Croydon around 45 years ago.

Worked from age 16 to 60 years old, secretarial and administration roles, one of which was as secretary to the Head Postmaster of Croydon. I am married to Roger and am now his main carer. I enjoy travelling and socialising with friends, gardening and chatting with neighbours.

I would like to see our area of London cleaned up and restored to how I remember it some years ago.

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

You can find out more in our booklet ‘CROYDON NEEDS REFORM – OUR CONTRACT WITH YOU’.  You can also follow us on Facebook or contact us at chair.croydon@reformuk.com.