Haydon Wick candidates share their election messages

Now it is one of the town’s inner suburbs, with Priory Vale and Blunsdon St Andrew forming the outer boundary of the borough further north and west.

It’s an area of modern family homes designed in the fashion of the late 20th century with lots of cul-de-sacs coming off curving primary roads.

It has the highest density of any ward in North Swindon – more than even the older Victorian areas of ranks of terraced streets.

A popular area with families, education will be important as well as the economic future of Swindon – it’s an aspirational area where people are looking to continue up being able to move up the housing ladder as their careers progress.

With the River Ray running through it, the area suffered bad flooding in 2007.

If this election were being held last year it would have been counted as likely to be a comfortable hold for the Conservatives.

But events national and local have thrown some extra factors into the electoral calculation.

The pandemic and the response of lockdown and restrictions, which saw the elections delayed by a year, has seen a group of Independent candidates come together to oppose those restrictions.

It’s impossible to say how well those candidates may do – the response to the coronavirus is not an easily-assessed issue on left and right grounds. The protest against restrictions may fizzle out as a side issue- or it could be something that gains popular support.

The other wrinkle in this ward is much more local and much more personal.

A year ago, the sitting councillors Oliver Donachie was a Conservative- and a member of the council’s ruling cabinet.

In the 12 months since he has left both the cabinet and Conservative group and the local party, set up as an Independent.

He has been critical of both the administration and in particular its leader David Renard.

What makes this even more personal is that Coun Renard is himself a councillor for Haydon Wick – he held his seat in 2019 and will sit until 2023.

If Coun Donachie was still a Conservative, the likelihood would be that he would hold his seat. He won it in 2016 with 47.6 per cent , which is a very handy share in a multiparty ward.

But the Tories now will be wary of the lesson of Penhill and Upper Stratton in 2019. There, the sitting Labour councillor left the party and stood as an Independent.

The Labour vote was split, handing what had been a safe labour seat to the Conservative challenger.

If something similar happens in Haydon Wick, that would be a blow to the ruling party.

Candidates' messages

Daniel Foster Davis - (Labour)

Daniel Davis

My family home is in Haydon Wick, where I grew up and attended local schools.

Since leaving school I have maintained Swindon’s long links with the railways, becoming a train driver and working for GWR in this key worker role. I am a strong believer in education and am committed to ensuring that all our young people get the education they need especially in the early years to help shape their future.

I believe that learning should be a lifelong experience and that is why I’m studying to be a lawyer, when not driving my trains. My role as ASLEF branch secretary has given him a wide experience of being an advocate for other people, which will aid me in representing Haydon Wick at the Civic Offices and as a future lawyer.

“Swindon Deserves Better” than this failing Conservative council. Labour can deliver that better future.

Oliver Donachie – (Ind)

Oliver Donachie

I have been a serving councillor for over eight years. I resigned from the Conservative group due to the view that the Conservative leadership of Swindon is failing the town. As such I am standing on a very clear mandate.

The independents are the only councillors to vote against tax rises and are committed to continuing this until such time as the council undertakes a full audit to reveal waste and inefficiency. We also voted to reduce councillor’s allowance to preserve jobs at the council, however this was defeated by other groups.

The elected independent councillors believe we offer the people of Swindon a unique opportunity this year to send a clear message that endless tax rises will not be tolerated against the backdrop of failure such as the Oasis, the Snoasis, terrible roads, a disgraceful town centre and the other issues the people of Swindon raise.

John Dennis Jackson (Con)

John Jackon

I have lived in Haydon Wick for 32 years and I am also a Haydon Wick Parish councillor, so I share, understand and have the experience to be a strong voice for our community. My family has grown up here, attended local schools and I have worked locally for all that time. I am passionate about Swindon and I am keen supporter of Swindon Town and Swindon Robins speedway.

If elected, I will work all year round taking a lead on issues including flooding prevention works, renewing our local parks, enhancing our open spaces, tackling anti-social behaviour, investing in our local schools, extending superfast fibre broadband provision, improving road safety and maintenance and supporting local initiatives to tackle climate change.

I understand the importance of positive, constructive engagement. I will work with residents, officers, the Parish Council, and police. If elected, I will be a pragmatic, hard-working and approachable councillor.

Vincent Frank Montgomery - (Ind)

Vincent Montgomery

I would like to see a Borough Council that will:

Listen to the people of Swindon;

Scrutinise spending and the use made of our council tax;

See the Oasis open again;

Support local businesses;

See more community policing with the police trained to protect the rule of law and our civil liberties;

Work for every member of our diverse community;

Choose freedom over fear.

Jacek Pawel Zmarzlik - (Green)

Jacek Zmarzlik

I’ve lived in Swindon since 2001. As the parent of a child with diabetes and a learning disability, I know the issues with getting access to services that local parents face, particularly those whose children have additional needs. I’m passionate about every child getting the support they need within the local community and if elected will work hard towards securing additional funds for our schools and nurseries.

I’m also a keen cyclist and enjoy travelling by tandem with my son. Swindon has a network of cycling paths which need to be updated and extended to give as many people as possible the option of non-car travel. I’m also campaigning for better public transport, which should be more affordable, attractive, and greener than it is currently. I’d like to see the introduction of electric buses in Swindon, which would not only cut fossil-fuel usage but also improve air quality.