Spring last year is when the Reading’s new bike hire scheme went live on the streets of Reading. Hourbike the winner bidder who run the bike hire scheme, initially brought 200 bicycles at 29 docking stations inside and outside the borough.
Its was nobody surprise that Reading West was not part of the Bike Hire Scheme.
We are sad of seeing so many new schemes and investment going to Caversham, East and event South Reading! The Reading Bike hire scheme is just the latest example of this and yet there are many families living here who would benefit from the scheme.
Perhaps it is because the Council are thinking of actually making better provision for cyclists prior to extending the scheme west? Or are there doubts about the safety of a bike scheme here and if so, surely that in itself needs to be addressed?
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It really is sad to see a very vibrant area that could be great being once again not on the list. Surely any car user on Oxford Road can see that riding a bike is faster anyway!
In the recent Reading local elections, the Labour Party’s vote seems to have hit a standstill, as they maintained their council majority with 25 seats, the same figure as in previous elections. Despite their success in reclaiming the Emmer Green seat with Daya Pa Singh, the party faced a setback with the loss of their sole remaining seat in Katesgrove to the newly elected Green councillor, Kate Nikulina.
This stagnation in the Labour vote could be attributed to various factors, including voter disillusionment with national party policies, local issues, or shifts in demographics within the constituency & war of Gazza. The loss of the Katesgrove seat may indicate changing attitudes or preferences among constituents in that area, potentially reflecting dissatisfaction with Labour’s representation or a growing appeal of the Green Party’s platform.
Contrastingly, the challenging circumstances faced by the Tory party did not seem to translate into electoral gains. Despite an increase in Conservative numbers in areas like Abbey ward, it was insufficient to secure victory. This suggests that while there may be pockets of increased support for the Tories, it was not widespread enough to significantly impact the overall election outcome. Furthermore, the Tories managed to retain a similar level of voter support overall, indicating resilience in maintaining their base despite prevailing challenges.
Three key factors have driven this change: most recently, the substantial student population from the esteemed University of Reading and the Muslim community, both visibly disheartened by Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on the Gaza conflict. Moreover, the current Green Councillor Doug Cresswell and Councillor Louise Keane from the area have actively engaged with and supported the community, earning widespread appreciation.
In last night’s local election, the sole remaining non-Green seat in this ward was claimed by the new Green councillor, Kate Nikulina, solidifying the Green Party’s presence in the ward.
Katesgrove, much like other areas with a large student presence, has historically leaned towards progressive values, often aligning with the Labour Party’s stances on education, social justice, and healthcare. However, the transient nature of student residency and the diversity of political views within this demographic pose a challenge for maintaining unwavering support.
The University of Reading, renowned for its academic excellence, attracts students from diverse backgrounds and ideologies. While many students may resonate with Labour’s traditional values, others may be drawn to alternative political movements or disenchanted with mainstream politics altogether. This diversity of opinion within the student body presents a unique challenge for political parties seeking to secure their support.
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In addition, the Muslim community in Katesgrove, like elsewhere in the UK, constitutes a significant portion of the electorate (11% much higher than the town average) whose concerns deserve attention. Recent events, particularly the Gaza conflict, have evoked strong reactions within the Muslim community & students with many expressing discontent with Sir Keir Starmer’s perceived stance on the issue. While Labour has historically championed human rights and international justice, criticisms of the party’s response to the Gaza conflict have struck a chord with some voters in Katesgrove.
The emergence of the Green Party in the area signals a shifting tide for what was once a stronghold of loyal voters.
Below, you’ll find the complete compilation of results from May 2nd, 2024 – Reading local elections, providing a detailed overview of the outcomes across all wards and parties involved in the electoral process.
Abbey
Electorate: 6,600 Total votes cast: 1,266 Turnout: 24% Spoilt: 12
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
AYUB Mohammed
Labour Party
819
Yes
BAZLEY Simon James
The Conservative Party Candidate
308
DARBY Howard John
The Green Party
264
GORE Steven Adam
Liberal Democrats
163
Battle
Electorate: 7,554 Total votes cast: 2,115 Turnout: 28% Spoilt: 11
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
GROUT John Berkeley
Liberal Democrats
170
HARLING Callum Louis
The Green Party
256
MURRAY John Tattersall
The Conservative Party Candidate
302
TARAR Amjad Iqbal Tahir
Labour and Co-operative Party
1,374
Yes
Caversham
Electorate: 7,502 Total votes cast: 2,937 Turnout: 39% Spoilt: 22
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
BURDEN Christopher Simon
Liberal Democrats
311
GAVIN Jan
Labour Party
1,563
Yes
PALMER Mark Peter Timothy
The Green Party
473
SAADAT Saadia Zafar
The Conservative Party Candidate
569
Caversham Heights
Electorate: 7,493 Total votes cast: 3,563 Turnout: 48% Spoilt: 15
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Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
CARNELL Paul Alan
The Conservative Party Candidate
1,324
COSTA-KROL Vania
Liberal Democrats
270
JUTHANI Sam
Labour and Co-operative Party
1,454
Yes
MCNAMARA Danny
The Green Party
500
Church
Electorate: 8,224 Total votes cast: 2,083 Turnout: 25% Spoilt: 17
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
COLE Mark Clifford
Liberal Democrats
152
MUGO James Mwaniki
The Conservative Party Candidate
448
SMITH Brent
The Green Party
198
WOODWARD Paul Richard
Labour Party
1,268
Yes
Coley
Electorate: 7,027 Total votes cast: 2,252 Turnout: 32% Spoilt: 13
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
GITTINGS Paul Stephen
Labour Party
1,297
Yes
HOSKINS Isobel Claire
The Green Party
267
SHEPPARD Lizzy
The Conservative Party Candidate
462
SIMS Benjamin Francis
Liberal Democrats
213
Emmer Green
Electorate: 7,609 Total votes cast: 3,095 Turnout: 41% Spoilt: 13
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
BUCKLEY Matt
Labour Party
1,133
DE BOISERIE Pieter Herman M
Liberal Democrats
336
GOSS Stephen James
The Conservative Party Candidate
1,233
Yes
ROOKE Wendy Jane
The Green Party
378
Katesgrove
Electorate: 7,643 Total votes cast: 2,257 Turnout: 30% Spoilt: 10
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
BINGE Ian
The Conservative Party Candidate
213
CHALLICE Lily Jayne
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
58
COBB Marg
Labour and Co-operative Party
832
CRESSWELL Doug
The Green Party
1,048
Yes
MCNEILL Margaret
Liberal Democrats
80
PASCUAL Jean-Louis
Independent
16
Kentwood
Electorate: 6,737 Total votes cast: 2,583 Turnout: 38% Spoilt: 7
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Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
BARKER Jonathan Peter
Liberal Democrats
187
HEARST Caroline
The Green Party
209
NAZ Mamuna
Labour Party
1,016
SINGH Raj
The Conservative Party Candidate
1,171
Yes
Norcot
Electorate: 7,550 Total votes cast: 2,082 Turnout: 28% Spoilt: 9
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
BOTTOM Jen
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
39
DENNIS Colette Lolita
Labour Party
1,202
Yes
GRAHAM Stephen Anthony
You Local Liberal Party
57
GULLIVER Alan John
Independent
71
ROWE Suzanne
The Conservative Party Candidate
371
WALKEM Richard Peter
The Green Party
206
WARD Christopher
Liberal Democrats
126
Park
Electorate: 7,023 Total votes cast: 5,678 Turnout: 40% Spoilt: 3
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
CARNELL Allison
Conservative Party Candidate
160
DODSON Chris
Liberal Democrats
86
GALAMI Ram Bahadur
Labour Party
1,087
MAGON Sarah
The Green Party
1,408
Yes
PHELPS Adam Iestyn
Conservative Party Candidate
164
WILLIAMS Josh
The Green Party
1,536
Yes
WILLIAMSON Ollie
Labour Party
1,070
WRIGHT Henry David
Liberal Democrats
57
Redlands
Electorate: 8,273 Total votes cast: 2,590 Turnout: 31% Spoilt: 19
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
CROSS Will
Labour and Co-operative Party
1,194
Yes
DENT Melanie Samantha Jayne
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
36
JAKEMAN Francis David
Liberal Democrats
114
NIKULINA Kate
The Green Party
1,034
SOW Abdoulaye Diouma
The Conservative Party Candidate
193
Southcote
Electorate: 7,768 Total votes cast: 2,413 Turn out 31% Spoilt: 19
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
ADAMS Neil Robert
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
31
BLACKMORE Ben Michael Brereton
The Conservative Party Candidate
547
ENNIS John Joseph
Labour Party
1,454
Yes
MANCUSO-MARCELLO Riccardo Giovanni
Liberal Democrats
136
WHITHAM Jamie
The Green Party
223
Thames
Electorate: 5,915 Total votes cast: 1,948 Turnout: 33% Spoilt: 13
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Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
ASARE Ama
Labour Party
997
Yes
HARLING Mike
The Green Party
295
HAWALDAR Shivraj
The Conservative Party Candidate
395
RAMSAY Jo
Liberal Democrats
248
Tilehurst
Electorate: 7,250 Total votes cast: 2,282 Turnout: 31% Spoilt: 6
Candidate
Party
Votes
Elected
BERRY-KHAN Gabriel
The Green Party
159
BYRNE Casey George Christopher
The Conservative Party Candidate
479
MIDDLETON Len
Labour and Co-operative Party
481
THOMPSON Anne
Liberal Democrats
1,158
Yes
Whitley
Electorate: 7,753 Total votes cast: 1,822 Turnout: 24% Spoilt: 10
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