John Newberry: Honesty, integrity and standing for council

Lib Dem candidate & retired Police Sargeant John Newberry explains how the actions of Essex County Council led to him becoming a candidate for the County Council elections on Thursday 2nd May.

"Honesty and integrity are, as a retired police sargeant, incredibly important to me, almost as much as I detest injustice and deceit. Over the last few years I have watched with horror as I have seen Tory-controlled Essex County Council lurch from one set of shocking actions to another.

"The last few years have seen our money mismanaged - from Lord Hanningfield's fall from grace from leader of the county council to convicted fraudster to the hiding away of millions of pounds of our money whilst residents are dodging potholes all over Essex to the decision to pay £4,600 to settle Hanningfield's House of Lords bar bill.

"It's no better in Brentwood either at the hands of the Tories - there is so much disquiet and so many unanswered questions about the Hutton community Centre (including an ongoing police investigation over the use of £50,000 worth of funding from Essex County Council) that I felt it was time, now I am retired and can dedicate my time, as well as use my expertise and experience here, to making sure that we are all treated with a bit more respect by our council.

"I am impressed that Brentwood Liberal Democrat councillors have been constantly focused on local issues and have again and again raised questions and told us about the things that are going on - rather than let the Tories cosily enjoy the trappings of county hall life (including chauffer driven cars) they have been opposing them when appropriate and exposing some very uncomfortable truths.

"In a nutshell, as a hardworking Essex taxpayer, I can no longer sit by and let this happen to my family, friends and neighbours.

John is standing as county councillor for Brentwood Hutton.