Annoucing  Alex Keegan – Standing For Labour in the Thatcham Central By-election
#Alex4Thatcham
#RealChange

Statement follows

I moved to the Newbury Area in 2000 and have lived in Thatcham Broadway since August 2014.
I began my career with seven years in HM Forces, then had a variety of jobs before establishing my own successful computer consultancy. In Dec 1988 I was lucky to survive the Clapham Rail Crash. After recovering from the physical and mental trauma, in 1990 I gave up my business and became a writer. I eventually published six books and more than 500 stories and articles.
I still write but, more importantly I look after asylum-seeking teenagers, lodging 1 or 2 at a time, and helping as many as a dozen others with their English and Maths.
My flat resembles a youth club at times!
I am a life-long Labour Supporter but also very keen on Green Issues. Standing for Labour in Thatcham is a bit like trying to climb Everest in shorts and vest without oxygen but I believe the Liberal dominance of our Council is very bad for democracy. A good example of this casual and overwhelming power was seen when a huge petition with more than 3,500 signatures against The Lower Way development, was essentially dismissed by unanimous vote.
If elected I cannot change votes but I can act as a conscience and make the Lib-Dem dominated Council at least pause and reflect.
Living in The Broadway I am made aware almost every week of rowdiness, excessive noise, street-violence, racing motor-bikes and cars, (a hit-and-run last year), and this week a smashed window in the Co-op leading to a burglary. The only police presence in Thatcham Central is after-the-fact. Thatcham, when compared to Newbury, is basically not policed.
The Broadway is a common meeting-point and “hang-out” for teenagers who have nowhere else to go. I do not criticise these kids. They have always been polite and friendly towards me and my dogs. I merely point out that the slashing of Youth Care budgets has effectively abandoned our kids over 14 while money is regularly found for the vanity projects sprinkled along the Broadway.
The Youth Clubs are gone. Cuts! The Youth Workers are gone. Cuts! Children (and many are still children) are left to fend for themselves, prey to many dangers.
The next time Thatcham’s Lib-Dems want to put up another memorial, I want them to take a breath and consider the safety of those living in Thatcham.