Keith Baker, newly elected Wokingham Borough Mayor and Abdul Loyes, Deputy Mayor. Credit: Pauline Jorgensen
A new mayor, deputy mayor and executive has been appointed at a full meeting of Wokingham Borough Council. Councillor Keith Baker, who has served on the council since 2006, was elected Mayor of Wokingham Borough yesterday (Thursday, May 20). Cllr Baker said: “Being the first citizen of the borough is an amazing honour, which very few councillors actually achieve, and I am extremely humbled to become one of this small group. “In many respects I’m quite old fashioned, in that I believe being mayor is something you earn through your contribution to public life, and not simply because it’s your turn.
File photo dated 06/05/10 of a voter placing a ballot paper in the ballot box. More than half of people say climate change will influence the way they vote in the next general election, a survey suggests..
The three main parties are contesting all 18 seats up for grabs this election in Wokingham. Voters in the borough go to the polls on Thursday, May 6, although many are expected to vote by post due to concerns over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It will see all three of the Wokingham party leaders try to cling onto their seats on the council. John Halsall, the incumbent borough council leader for the Conservative party, will be fending off Liberal Democrat challenger Martijn Andrea and Labour candidate Stuart Cranier in Cllr Halsall’s current seat of Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe. Last election, in 2016, Cllr Halsall received a majority of 704 votes, winning 930 votes in total.
Labour candidate Nick Fox said: “Representing your residents is an honour and privilege. “It shouldn’t be treated as a stepping stone for anything. It’s about focusing on your residents’ needs not your own personal advancement.” Conservative candidate Phil Cunnington said: “I’ll leave it for others to decide whether Jane wants to get elected to represent the people in Norreys ward or just to progress her political career via this ‘stepping stone’. “For me, my whole focus is upon Norreys and improving things for the community and its wellbeing.” Jane Ainslie However, Ms Ainslie insists she was referring to the role of councillor when she described “a role with a bigger impact”.
All the Conservative candidates standing for election in Wokingham in 2021 There are 18 Conservative candidates who will be competing for seats on Wokingham Borough Council at this year’s local election. The party is looking to keep control of the council, as it currently holds 31 of the 54 seats. There will be 18 seats up for grabs at this year’s election, which will be held on May 6, and the Tories are looking to win all of them. Last year’s election was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic, but people are being assured it will be safe to head to the polls in 2021.