Robert Ritchie-Labour candidate for Rush Green and Crowlands.

The Havering Daily is running a list of candidates across Havering in preparation for tomorrow’s local election.

Today we meet Robert Ritchie, a Labour candidate for Rush Green and Crowlands ward in Romford.

I have lived in Romford for most of my life and for the vast majority of that time we have had a Conservative run council either on their own or in co-operation with councillors elected as Resident’s Associations candidates, this has led to the current situation where we not only pay higher council taxes than our neighbouring boroughs but receive far less services for it. Our council has become a do nothing or do as little as possible council and this needs to stop. 
It is time for change is often a phrase used during elections, but the above proves why it is so needed in Romford and Havering this year. We need a council and councillors that are not simply being elected for the sake of being elected, but councillors that will all year round work for and on your behalf.
The pandemic has changed how we use local green spaces, as due to a number of reasons we have made the most of what our neighbourhood have to offer, I want to see these areas revitalised and expanded, something our opponents are seemingly not interested in.
I have seen the neglect that has been allowed to continue for far too long in Romford and I want this to change and the only way this is going to happen is if the current administration is booted out and replaced by Labour Party councillors who like me are embedded in our local communities and whose only motivation is to make Romford and Havering a better place. 
My priorities include:

• Increase recycling 
• Install and expand cycle lanes over the whole borough
• Address the daily gridlock that occurs in Romford
• Invest in Parks and Recreation facilities 
• Regular Consultation with Residents
• Being your voice in the Town Hall
• Putting Faith back in local politics