Category: LocalElections2026

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

“I decided to stand because I am tired of the repeated letdowns and broken promises from the same crop of Conservative and Labour local politicians”

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

I grew up in Croydon, attending both primary and secondary school in the borough after moving to the United Kingdom at the age of six, without speaking a word of English. My parents were strong advocates of integrating into British culture, and within approximately three months, I had learned the language—so much so that today, many people are surprised to learn that English is not my first language!

While my parents gave me a great deal of freedom growing up, they also instilled in me the belief that there is no substitute for hard work and self-discipline. That mindset led me to begin working at 16 in a major retail store on Purley Way, even before sitting my GCSEs! I continued working throughout sixth form and later chose a degree apprenticeship, as I wanted to keep earning and gaining practical experience rather than pursue the traditional university route.

That background has shaped who I am today-one of the youngest Solicitors of the Senior Courts of England and Wales.

I decided to stand because I am tired of the repeated letdowns and broken promises from the same crop of Conservative and Labour local politicians. I am frustrated with hearing from scripted career politicians and want to see real, straight-talking, and competent leadership in the Council—people who are focused on running it efficiently and being accountable to the public.

After years of complaining about the lack of such leadership, I asked myself: why not me? Why can’t I deliver the change I want to see? At only 25, I have already beaten the odds in my academic and professional life but I want to take on a new challenge—in the service of ALL the people of Shirley South.

“Motorists in Shirley, in particular, have borne the brunt of these policies. Many have been penalised by LTNs across Croydon that were later ruled unlawful, having been implemented for revenue generation rather than genuine safety concerns”

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

Shirley South is defined by the suburban character that so strongly shapes our borough. That is precisely why many residents question why such a sprawling, car-dependent area – poorly served by public transport – appears increasingly hostile to motorists. The nearest Underground station is some seven miles away in Brixton. Policies designed for Inner London simply do not translate well here, particularly when neighbouring Bromley demonstrates that a more balanced approach can maintain equal or better road safety outcomes.

Motorists in Shirley, in particular, have borne the brunt of these policies. Many have been penalised by LTNs across Croydon that were later ruled unlawful, having been implemented for revenue generation rather than genuine safety concerns. A blanket 20mph speed limit has been imposed across the area, often without regard for local context – for example, along stretches such as Shirley Church Road and Oaks Road, where such restrictions appear disproportionate. These policies were introduced under a Labour administration and remained largely unchanged during four years of Conservative control of the Council.

Residents face further frustration when navigating the borough. Attempting something as routine as picking up a family member from East Croydon station can result in fines from a yellow box junction that has generated substantial income for the council, despite growing questions over its legality. Meanwhile, basic road maintenance has been neglected: potholes – most notably in Shirley Hills car park—remain unrepaired, and roads have gone unsalted during winter conditions.

Public transport offers little relief. The ward suffers from limited rail access and inconsistent bus services. Residents have even endured winters without bus stop shelters due to disputes between the council and Transport for London. And, time and again, the long-discussed “bridge to nowhere” at East Croydon station is raised on the doorstep as a symbol of missed opportunities and poor delivery.

“To summarise: Westfield and West Croydon. Both in many ways, symbolise this borough’s failure to grasp the opportunities before it”

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

To summarise: Westfield and West Croydon. Both in many ways, symbolise this borough’s failure to grasp the opportunities before it – despite being one of the largest boroughs in London, itself one of Europe’s leading cities.

Residents in Shirley South tell me they do not feel safe in the town centre. They acknowledge the efforts of the police but say that crime and anti-social behaviour often appear to go unchecked, while issues like littering have become normalised. As a result, some are sadly choosing to shop in nearby Bromley, or even travel as far as Bluewater Shopping Centre, rather than support our own high street.

As a Council, we need to refocus on the basics. No more ill-conceived schemes. No more over-engineered, underused cycle lanes or poorly thought-out road closures. No more speculative developments that fail to deliver for residents. And no more wasting money chasing trends or relying on expensive consultants.

We must get the fundamentals right – and, above all, be honest with residents about our financial position. In my role as Shirley South’s councillor, I will champion a practical, common-sense approach to transport and planning policy, and tackling anti-social behaviour, to help get our borough back on track, for ALL the residents of this ward.

“I grew up in Croydon, attending both primary and secondary school in the borough”

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 Maria Evans, Reform UK candidate for Norbury Park.

“It is my absolute resolve and intentional delight to be of serve in Norbury Park ward”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi there!  Maria Evans is my name and Norbury Park is my ward – and I am truly excited to have the privilege of service in Norbury Park!

Please let me introduce myself here under to you –

My working life spanned various office positions from starting my career as a shorthand typist in the South African Railways upon leaving school to company secretarial governance and share trust administration with the ability to build strong relations with all stakeholders.  Combined I have approximately 26 years of experience in various business entities including auditing, asset management, corporate law, CIB banking, fast moving consumer goods, share trusts and various niche markets.

Was given British Citizenship upon marrying my Liverpool born husband in 1972.  Immigrated to UK in 2017.  After arriving in the UK it seemed prudent to ensure that I had acceptable British qualifications to offer, if needed, and received a level 3 hairdressing NVQ qualification from Croydon College.

Although South African born my heritage was and is predominantly British in family culture.  My family love Britain and all my immediate family live in UK.

It is my absolute resolve and intentional delight to be of serve in Norbury Park ward.

What made you decide to run?

The reason is my desire to be of service due to my experience in Croydon since we arrived as a family from South Africa at the end of 2014.  Very fortunately for us, we were able to be housed by a good family friend.  Dealing with all the official authorities including Croydon Council was relatively easy as these officials were just literally a phone call away and/or a visit to their offices.

Everything seemed to run well including visits to doctors and referrals, if needed. The doctors were able to prescribe relevant medicines as they saw fit. The public transport was impressive and decently reliable. We were able to buy a shopping cart full of good quality vegetables, groceries including meat and dairy, toiletries and some luxury goodies as well for £20.  One learnt that one can walk around towns, parks, and surrounding areas, public transport systems in relative safety, even for the young and old.  The roads were well kept. People were very accommodating of one another.  Even the English dogs are socialised.  People were able to afford a visit to the coffee shop or have a meal.  The high-streets were working well and no business premises stayed unoccupied for long.  The pubs were amazing with pub breakfasts and meals being really affordable. Many older people seemed to come regularly for maybe one decent meal a day on a regular basis.  The pubs were places where the less fortunate of society could go to for an outing, friendship and a bit of a meal.  The pubs catered for the whole strata of society in a very British way of life.  The minimum wage seemed to work good enough for the young and the rest of society.  People were relaxed and certain of their way of life.  They were at ease.

“Norbury Park suffers from some significant antisocial behaviour, including vandalism, drink and drug use, making visitors feel unsafe”

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

Looking at the park itself as a microcosm of the ward, Norbury Park suffers from some significant antisocial behaviour, including vandalism, drink and drug use, making visitors feel unsafe. We also have problems with litter, graffiti, and poor maintenance requiring regular intensive community cleaning efforts.  Key problems include:

• Antisocial Behaviour: Frequent complaints about drug dealing, drug use, and groups of people drinking in the park.
• Vandalism: The park has experienced recurring vandalism. Including destroyed equipment, broken notice boards, and graffiti.  The cricket pitch had been appalling vandalised.
• Safety Concerns: Incidents of intimidation, violence, and sexual offences have been reported.  Increased crime during dark hours is a significant concern.
• Infrastructure Issues: Poor lighting in certain areas is a major concern.  While a new, all-weather path was installed in 2025 to fix severe winter and mud flooding, the area still requires better facilities.
• Homelessness & Unauthorised Use: Previous issues with encampments led to police intervention, and the area faces challenges with e-bike misuse and illegal parking, near the site.

“I would like to champion bringing resolutions to the problems of loneliness and misunderstanding”

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

We need a restoration of our City Centre with:

• Improved infrastructure
• Businesses helped to be established and maintained
• Functioning GP surgeries and hospitals
• More housing
• Youth engagement
• Employment
• Education and understanding
• Green belts maintained and policed
• Crime in all its aspects stamped out

I would like to champion bringing resolutions to the problems of loneliness and misunderstanding.

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.

Maria Evans is running for Reform UK with Michael Swadling in Norbury Park.

With local elections here in Croydon in May, we speak with Adnan Ghori, Reform UK candidate for Waddon.

“many people feel disconnected from how those decisions are made. I would want to bridge that gap by making information clearer, encouraging open discussion”

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

My name is Adnan Ghori and while I am a candidate for council, I’m here to represent something increasingly important in our communities: informed, thoughtful decision-making supported by technology and shared knowledge.

My motivation is simple – helping people make better decisions, together. Local government shapes everyday life, from schools and transport to housing and public services. Yet, many people feel disconnected from how those decisions are made. I would want to bridge that gap by making information clearer, encouraging open discussion, and ensuring every voice has access to the knowledge it needs to be heard.

I believe strong communities are built on transparency, participation, and practical solutions.

I want to focus on making local issues easier to understand, highlighting diverse perspectives, and supporting policies that improve quality of life for everyone.

I aim to empower, helping voters stay informed, engaged, and confident in shaping their local future.

“Many residents are worried about anti-social behaviour, theft, and feeling unsafe in certain areas, particularly in the evenings. People want visible policing”

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

Standing as a prospective candidate for Waddon Ward because I believe local voices deserve stronger representation and practical solutions to everyday challenges.

Through speaking with residents and understanding the area, several major concerns consistently come up.

First, community safety is a top priority. Many residents are worried about anti-social behaviour, theft, and feeling unsafe in certain areas, particularly in the evenings. People want visible policing and preventative measures that actually make a difference.

Second, housing and development remain pressing issues. There are concerns about the pace of new developments, pressure on infrastructure, and the need for genuinely affordable housing-not just more buildings, but better planning that benefits existing residents.

Transport and traffic are also significant challenges. Congestion, parking difficulties, and the reliability of public transport services affect daily life. Safer roads, better traffic management, and improved connections are key priorities for many in the ward.

Another major concern is the condition of local services. Residents often raise issues around waste collection, street cleanliness, and maintenance of public spaces. People want to see consistent, reliable services that reflect the taxes they pay.

Finally, there’s a strong desire to protect and improve green spaces. Parks and open areas are vital for wellbeing, but concerns about upkeep, safety, and potential overdevelopment are frequently mentioned.

I am standing because I want to listen, to act, and ensure Waddon remains a safe, well-connected, and thriving place to live.

“If elected, I would champion responsible financial management, ensuring transparency, prioritising essential services, and rebuilding trust”

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

One of the most significant issues in the London Borough of Croydon is financial stability. The council has faced serious budget pressures in recent years, which has had a direct impact on frontline services. If elected, I would champion responsible financial management, ensuring transparency, prioritising essential services, and rebuilding trust with residents about how public money is spent.

Another major challenge is housing. Croydon continues to face high demand for affordable homes, alongside concerns about temporary accommodation and the quality of some housing provision. I would advocate for sustainable development that delivers genuinely affordable, high-quality housing while protecting existing communities.

Town centre regeneration is also critical. Croydon Town Centre has huge potential but needs careful, community-focused renewal. I would support investment that boosts local businesses, improves safety, and creates a vibrant, welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.

Community safety remains a borough-wide concern. Working closely with police and local organisations to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour is a key priority, alongside prevention strategies that support young people and vulnerable groups.

Finally, I would strongly champion opportunities for young people-whether through education, skills training, or access to employment. A stronger future for Croydon depends on investing in the next generation and giving them real pathways to succeed

My hope is to help build a Croydon that is financially stable, socially inclusive, and full of opportunity for everyone.

My name is Adnan Ghori l living in Croydon past 10 years  I am a candidate of UK Reform Waddon Ward.

I’m a  Health fighter and I’m here to be heard, to stand up for local people’s Suggestions and change sickness into healthy progress. 

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.