Press Release: R4U announces 30 district candidates and Heather Asker as MP candidate to act as residents’ local “envoy to parliament”.

Thursday 9th April 2015, Uttlesford: Residents-for-Uttlesford (R4U), the local advocacy group for towns and villages, has announced that it will be standing 30 candidates in 17 district wards in the May 7th elections. R4U has also selected Cllr Heather Asker as its Saffron Walden Constituency MP candidate to be the Uttlesford residents’ “envoy to parliament”.

Cllr John Lodge (R4U Chairman)

Residents for Uttlesford chair Cllr John Lodge said “Grass roots localism is taking hold! On the doorstep we’ve had overwhelming support for our District Council campaign; people have told us they’ve had enough of Westminster parties that don’t represent them. So we’re excited to announce 30 district council candidates and Heather Asker as our residents’ MP candidate. She’s been a local councillor since 2007 and eminently qualified – she will be Uttlesford’s envoy to parliament. We’d like your vote if you want a stronger say in what happens locally or have had enough of national parties. A vote for Residents is a vote for you and your neighbours – and with 30 district candidates, R4U is the only credible alternative to the current Conservative district administration.”

Heather Asker (R4U MP Candidate)

Cllr Heather Asker, R4U’s parliamentary candidate said “We actually need national issues sorting out locally, such as housing, education, healthcare and roads – and they haven’t been. Residents already have representation at District and County levels, so it’s a natural step to seek a parliamentary voice for Uttlesford residents. If elected, I will be your envoy – I will take Uttlesford and our issues to Westminster.”

Residents for Uttlesford has gained unprecedented momentum for its grass-roots localism agenda since it was formed in 2014. It has a county councillor, 4 district councillors and gained district council candidates from all the major parties. It is now seeking to gain control of Uttlesford District Council on behalf of residents in May, and its candidates are contesting the majority of Uttlesford District wards.

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About Residents for Uttlesford

Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) is the local independent party of north-west Essex towns and villages. Formed in 2014 by a number of residents’ groups, the party believes that on local issues residents should decide, not Westminster parties.

R4U leads Uttlesford District Council (UDC). It is the fastest growing local political movement in its district. In its first election in 2015 it became the second party at UDC. In 2017 it solidified its position with a further by-election gain with 60% of the vote. In the May 2019 Local Elections R4U gained majority control of UDC winning two-thirds of the seats. The result delivered the biggest loss of seats by any UK Conservative controlled council in the UK.

R4U’s success has been based on the desire to give local people a voice and implement long range strategic and sustainable plans for their area.

R4U also leads Saffron Walden Town Council, where under its stewardship the council has rebuilt finances, invested in community assets, and won multiple awards, including the best run council in Essex. It is a minority party on Great Dunmow Town Council.

Residents for Uttlesford can be found on the web at www.residents4u.org.

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