Candidate Profiles: Ian Gerrard, Greenwich West

Name: Ian Gerrard (Liberal Democrats)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

I’ve lived in the Greenwich area for just over 20 years, after finishing University and taking a job as a History teacher in a local state secondary school. I’m a keen fan of Northwich Victoria (which I know might not be too popular with local Charlton fans!) and I enjoy the odd game of golf, drinking with friends, reading and going to the cinema when I can fit it in. I’m also a member of a local drama group.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

It matters that people vote in every election and sometimes council elections can be overlooked. They shouldn’t be, though, because they affect so many aspects of our everyday lives; the schools our children go to, how clean and how safe our local streets are and the planning decisions that impact on how our area will develop in the future.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

I’m standing to be a councillor because it’s an important role and I want to play my part in making Greenwich a better place for all local people. I was a councillor for four years and enjoyed listening to the concerns of people and doing my best to help them. Being a councillor is the opportunity to give something back to the local community and to stand up for what you believe in.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

There’s so many things to like about Greenwich; the view right across London from the top of the park, pottering around in the market, having a drink in one of the many great pubs, the beautiful buildings that you stumble across round almost every corner. It’s a great area and I’d be proud to represent it, were I to be elected.

If elected, what would be your priorities for Greenwich West ward over the next four years?

Listening to the concerns of local people would be right at the top of my list of priorities as well as working hard to protect the best parts of Greenwich and helping to improve those things that fall short of what we’d all like to see. Other than that, I’d want to see improvements to local schools so that everyone has access to the very best opportunities – we deserve nothing less.