Roy Tomlinson - Labour Candidate - Barnstaple North - County Council
Would you like to introduce yourself?
My name is Roy Tomlinson and I am a candidate standing for the Labour Party in North Devon for Barnstaple North division in the County Council elections on Thursday the 4th May 2017.
Why did you choose to stand for this election?
I have become increasingly concerned about the impact of over 6 years of austerity politics on the population of North Devon. As a long-standing resident of North Devon I have sadly witnessed the development of alarming levels of family and child poverty, in one local ward this has been recorded at 40%. This is a truly shameful indictment of the impact of Conservative Government policy. There are severe shortages of affordable homes and social housing in the area with vital health and social care under threat.
Unfortunately, the Conservative Government seem determined to continue the failed austerity policies that have caused so much damage to local communities. My biggest priority would be to try to do everything I can to mitigate the impact of these policies on the most vulnerable of our residents. In the longer term, I very much hope to be working with a future Labour Government, pledged to devolve responsibility to local authorities in order to rebuild our vital public services and tackle the causes of hardship and poverty in the community.
Why did you want to stand for the Labour Party?
The Labour Party under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn is pledged to create a society that works for the many and not just a privileged few. We have seen spiralling levels of inequality in society where the wealth of the thousand wealthiest residents in the UK has more than doubled since 2010 to approximately £550 billion whilst over 1 million families had to rely on foodbanks in the last year alone as a direct result of Tory and coalition austerity policies. The Labour Party stands for social justice and equality of opportunity and I share these values and aspirations. Throughout my adult life I have campaigned against inequality and unfairness in society and on retirement decided to channel this into membership of the Labour Party. With the growing levels of inequality across all aspects of society I now want to use my commitment and enthusiasm to challenge the impact of Tory led austerity and reductions in public services within Devon.
Would you tell us a little bit about your employment background?
I left school at age 15 from a Secondary Modern school in London so I have practical experience of the consequences of selective education. Because I left school with no formal qualifications when I wanted to move on in my career I had to attend evening classes for three years. This enabled me to embark on a degree course with professional training as a Social Worker. On completion of my course I obtained a job with Devon County Council and moved to North Devon in 1976. I spent 37 years working for DCC within social care, vulnerable children, youth offending, community safety and domestic violence and abuse service development. My career has always focussed on trying to help those most vulnerable people within our communities who are quite often the victims of the harsh social and economic policies of the Tory Party nationally and locally. As a fieldwork professional and latterly a senior manager within DCC I have worked with many of its Chief Officers and politicians so have a good inside knowledge of how it works and ways to make changes to benefit the citizens of Devon.
What are your other interests outside of work?
I love walking in the stunning coastal scenery and countryside of North Devon. I also enjoy surfing, playing tennis, reading, music and the cinema. I am chair of the Board of trustees for a small voluntary organisation supporting minority communities across North Devon and promoting awareness and tolerance of diversity.
My name is Roy Tomlinson and I am a candidate standing for the Labour Party in North Devon for Barnstaple North division in the County Council elections on Thursday the 4th May 2017.
Why did you choose to stand for this election?
I have become increasingly concerned about the impact of over 6 years of austerity politics on the population of North Devon. As a long-standing resident of North Devon I have sadly witnessed the development of alarming levels of family and child poverty, in one local ward this has been recorded at 40%. This is a truly shameful indictment of the impact of Conservative Government policy. There are severe shortages of affordable homes and social housing in the area with vital health and social care under threat.
Unfortunately, the Conservative Government seem determined to continue the failed austerity policies that have caused so much damage to local communities. My biggest priority would be to try to do everything I can to mitigate the impact of these policies on the most vulnerable of our residents. In the longer term, I very much hope to be working with a future Labour Government, pledged to devolve responsibility to local authorities in order to rebuild our vital public services and tackle the causes of hardship and poverty in the community.
Why did you want to stand for the Labour Party?
The Labour Party under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn is pledged to create a society that works for the many and not just a privileged few. We have seen spiralling levels of inequality in society where the wealth of the thousand wealthiest residents in the UK has more than doubled since 2010 to approximately £550 billion whilst over 1 million families had to rely on foodbanks in the last year alone as a direct result of Tory and coalition austerity policies. The Labour Party stands for social justice and equality of opportunity and I share these values and aspirations. Throughout my adult life I have campaigned against inequality and unfairness in society and on retirement decided to channel this into membership of the Labour Party. With the growing levels of inequality across all aspects of society I now want to use my commitment and enthusiasm to challenge the impact of Tory led austerity and reductions in public services within Devon.
Would you tell us a little bit about your employment background?
I left school at age 15 from a Secondary Modern school in London so I have practical experience of the consequences of selective education. Because I left school with no formal qualifications when I wanted to move on in my career I had to attend evening classes for three years. This enabled me to embark on a degree course with professional training as a Social Worker. On completion of my course I obtained a job with Devon County Council and moved to North Devon in 1976. I spent 37 years working for DCC within social care, vulnerable children, youth offending, community safety and domestic violence and abuse service development. My career has always focussed on trying to help those most vulnerable people within our communities who are quite often the victims of the harsh social and economic policies of the Tory Party nationally and locally. As a fieldwork professional and latterly a senior manager within DCC I have worked with many of its Chief Officers and politicians so have a good inside knowledge of how it works and ways to make changes to benefit the citizens of Devon.
What are your other interests outside of work?
I love walking in the stunning coastal scenery and countryside of North Devon. I also enjoy surfing, playing tennis, reading, music and the cinema. I am chair of the Board of trustees for a small voluntary organisation supporting minority communities across North Devon and promoting awareness and tolerance of diversity.