Southampton local elections 2023: Shirley ward candidate statements

The breakdown is three Labour, three Conservative, three Liberal Democrat, one Green and one TUSC.

If no statement was received the candidate has “no comment” under their name.

You can find a list of all the candidates standing in each ward here.

Here is what the candidates are saying:

Roland Leonard Dauncey – Liberal Democrats

“Roland has lived in Shirley for over 20 years and enjoys singing with Southampton Choral Society and acting in local amateur dramatics in his spare time. As a councillor, Roland will support local community groups and work hard to secure improvements to local facilities, and public safety in general.”

Michaela Dowse – Conservatives

“Michaela has lived locally for approx. 35 years and has been an active community volunteer in Shirley and Freemantle for a number of years. During the Coronavirus pandemic Michaela was a volunteer coordinator and active volunteer with the Southampton Mutual Aid group and leads a Basics Bank donations drive a team based in Shirley. Michaela has been an active volunteer with Freemantle Lake Park, helping to fundraise and organise community events and following the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been an active volunteer with the Southampton Ukraine hub.

Michaela believes that everyone can make a difference, however small.”

Andrew Hetherton – Conservatives

“Andrew Hetherton, a Shirley ward resident, has lived in Southampton for over 30 years. A chartered surveyor he has worked for businesses in Southampton and clients throughout the UK.

Andrew wants to ensure that residents in Shirley ward are properly represented on issues such as the impact of parking in residential areas, 20 mph zones where wanted, addressing littering and fly-tipping, improving air quality, improving public transport and reducing congestion to

#GETSOUTHAMPTONMOVING. It’s 10 years since Shirley had a conservative councillor and about time residents’ views and concerns on planning and development applications are considered and taken into account.”

Simon Dominic Howell – Conservatives

“Simon Howell moved to Shirley Southampton from Berkshire 10 years ago. After a 30 year career in automotive retail, Simon for the last 5 years has been a director, now managing director for an automotive recruitment and consultancy business, which provides services for leading automotive dealer groups across the country.

Simon is passionate about the Shirley Ward and its residents, and that they have Conservative representation to ensure local issues such as unsociable behaviour, the local greenspaces and environment , supporting businesses, transport, roads and pavements, road speed, and to get and keep Southampton moving.”

Satvir Kaur – Labour

“It’s been an honour to represent Shirley since 2011. In that time, I have loved working with our communities to improve our neighbourhoods, from fixing more local roads and pavements and introducing safer crossings, to greater investment in our parks.”

Michael Marx – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

“Shirley is an area of deprivation in some areas. This is caused by decades of cuts to local services. The policies of cuts and privatisation are the fault of Labour and the Tories. If you spoke to a councillor in a pub you would not be able to tell which party they were with. That’s why people should vote TUSC and its relevant politics – building council homes, free school meals, open the walk-in centres, open all libraries and preschools. Not just words but action, socialist action, we’re not all the same, vote TUSC.”

Ellen McGeorge – Liberal Democrats

“Ellen is originally from the USA but has lived in Hampshire for 18 years. She now lives locally in Shirley and wants to do everything she can to help improve the community that has given her such a warm welcome. Ellen wants the council to tidy up our community spaces and improve road safety and footpaths.”

Lucy Michelle Mundell – Greens

“Lucy lives in Shirley and has been a Hampshire resident for most of her life. She became interested in environmental issues as a young child and followed this with a degree in marine & environmental studies.

She has since started an upcycling business four years ago in order to find a moral way of living and at the same time reducing her impact on the planet.

Lucy joined the Green Party as she finds their social policy has a more balanced approach to both people and the world we live in.

Having a multi-cultural family and many friends with other nationalities she finds the UK’s position over Brexit appalling. Remaining in the EU gives us a better voice.”

George Edward Percival – Liberal Democrats

“George lives in Shirley and is a full-time firefighter, which gives him a unique perspective on the challenges facing the community and the importance of local government in solving them. George hopes to make Shirley a vibrant and sustainable community that provides opportunities for all to thrive.”

Razwana Saffa Quadir – Labour

“I am incredibly passionate about our city, its development and giving back to the local people. I have heard on the doorstep the challenges people face and I will work hard to champion the needs of Shirley residents.”

Alex Winning – Labour

“I was born and raised in Shirley and feel so proud to represent our area as a Councillor. Improvement to road safety, the roll out of School Streets and investment in our green spaces have been fantastic.”