From MPOG to MBC: Chair launches campaign to become Councillor

It may not feel like it, but the MPOG campaign is now 2 years old. It only felt like yesterday when we all heard about these horrifying plans for 2000 houses, for the first time. In that time a lot has changed, there have been long periods with no updates, but rest assured the MPOG campaign continues behind the scenes.

And today brings a BIG update: it is with much excitement that MPOG chair Claudine Russell is announcing that she will stand for election to (hopefully!) become your local Borough Councillor for Marden & Yalding ward.

 “So now with the Save Marden campaign 2 years on I have been doing some soul-searching about how to continue to move the campaign forward.  The SaveMarden campaign is fantastic, and it will continue to go from strength to strength as the brilliant committee work to make sure that the 2,000 houses in Marden never come to fruition.

Claudine is standing as a Conservative Party candidate in the local elections which will take place on 6th May 2021.

Why vote for Claudine?

I am passionate about all our villages ONLY having suitable sustainable growth of an appropriate scale.  This needs to be located in the right areas making full use of brownfield sites providing local jobs and homes so that villages can grow organically whilst retaining their identity, village character and community spirit.  I truly believe that this shouldn’t come at the expense of our wonderful local wildlife and valued local landscapes and farmland.  We should strive to retain village characteristics and the beautiful landscape of the Low Weald.

How does this affect MPOG?

As a result of this, Claudine is going to step away from being the Chair of MPOG for the time being. However, Claudine will always be supportive to MPOG wherever she can and will always stand against the 2000 house development in Marden. Tristan Russell will replace her as the new Chair.

Follow Claudine on her new Facebook page here, and for much more information check out her new website.

Update: read Claudine’e election statement and manifesto here. There isn’t long left until voting day – make sure you get out and VOTE!