Representing: Tressell Ward (with Cllr Jay Kramer)
Telephone: 01424 436032
Email: peter.chowney@hastingsandryelabour.org.uk
Website: www.tressell.org.uk
 
Peter says:
I have been a councillor for Tressell Ward since 2006, but have been a Hastings Borough councillor since 2002, previously representing Ore Ward and the old Broomgrove Ward.

I am a socialist, and have for many years been involved in socialist politics. I believe in social justice, equality and fairness. I would like to see a more equitable society where wealth is distributed more fairly, and where people are encouraged to contribute their skills and abilities to the benefit of everyone, rather than their own personal gain.

Everyone has a right to a reasonable, comfortable standard of living, with access to all the benefits of a modern, advanced society. But no-one has the right to expect more than their fair share: a society motivated by greed will never be a happy one. I am also a strong believer in public services, provided by the public sector: such services should be efficiently run for the public good, not for private profit.

Overall though, I believe the most important issue facing us today is climate change: if we can’t sort out that one, then we’ve all had it.

Closer to home, my main interest in Tressell Ward is to preserve the Upper Ore Valley as open space that can be enjoyed by all, and to prevent it being developed as housing.

On a personal level, I live outside the ward in St. Leonards, with my partner and three cats. I also have a daughter at university, studying photography. I have worked for years as a consultant to Government, local government and others, on performance management issues, but do less of that nowadays. I spend a lot of my time gardening and writing, having written a couple of novels, amongst other things.

I am currently a Cabinet member on Hastings Borough Council, holding the portfolio for regeneration, planning and marketing. I am a member of various other organisations (in a personal capacity) including Unite trade union, Cuba Solidarity Campaign, Cats’ Protection, Humanist Society, English Heritage and the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway Association!

Visit Peter’s Tressell Ward website »