• I HAVE lived in West Hampstead and Fortune Green for over 40 years – this is home to my family.

I was proud to be a Liberal Democrat councillor when the Lib Dems were leading Camden Council and to work with residents on local issues such as improving recycling, neighbourhood planning, and the future of our libraries.

While canvassing recently in West Hampstead, I was amazed when a resident said that the aim of the Labour Party was for every ward in Camden and across inner-London to be Labour.

I believe that listening to different views and bringing them together is an important part of a councillor’s work.

We therefore need to have councillors who know our communities and will involve residents in the decision-making process. And we need to have respect for diversity and difference – including in the council chamber.

A “one-party state” would not be healthy for our local democracy and will lead to poor decision-making in the Town Hall.

At this election the Lib Dems are putting forward a manifesto that will respond to residents’ priorities in West Hampstead, such as increasing the number of community safety officers on our streets, tackling air pollution, and adding electric charging points across the borough, and building more affordable homes.

And we are standing up for the wishes of the majority of Camden residents who voted to stay in the EU, whose views aren’t represented by the Conservatives or Labour.

NANCY JIRIRA
Liberal Democrat candidate for West Hampstead ward