This week Bucks County Council announced the candidates who will stand in next month’s by-election for the Totteridge and Bowerdean ward.

The election was announced following the death of long-standing councillor, Chaudhary Ditta, who represented the ward for 14 years.

Matt Knight (East Wycombe Independent), Ben James Holkham (Liberal Democrat), Richard David Peters (Conservative) and Israr Rashid (Labour) are all set to fight for the seat.

With polling due to start on Thursday, February 7, each candidate has written a piece about themselves and why they will be the ideal candidate for the ward.

Richard Peters – Conservative

Dr Richard Peters is a chartered engineer with a degree in electrical engineering and doctorate for research in environmental technology.

Running his own business has given him the flexibility to volunteer in the charity sector, leading to a desire to address underlying issues in society that have political solutions.

Richard was a founder trustee of East Side Youth Centre, in the grounds of The Highcrest Academy in High Wycombe, applying his business and charity experience to enable a successful transfer of the youth centre from Bucks County Council (BCC) control to a new local charity.

He also led the team that raised funding for, and set up, the East Side Community minibus scheme.

Although new to politics, Richard has robustly negotiated contracts with BCC, understands many of the challenges they face, and aspires to apply his experience and skills to help improve policies that affect us all.

April 2020 will see a new unitary district council for Buckinghamshire, so soon there will be less politicians representing Bucks.

The next few months will be important as councillors plan the new authority. If elected, Richard is committed to listening to and representing the views of Totteridge and Bowerdean residents.

Matt Knight – East Wycombe Independent

There was unanimous support for party leader, Matt Knight’s, selection from both the party members and the close family of Chaudhary Ditta.

Matt Knight has been a district councillor for Micklefield since 2011 and is leader of the East Wycombe Independents.

Matt is a qualified mental health Occupational Therapist and has worked for over 20 years in a variety of health and social care settings, most of this time in the High Wycombe area.

Matt puts his professional skills to good use in helping many residents and is a member of the Buckinghamshire Mental Health Partnership Board.

Matt first worked with Chaudhary Ditta and Julia Wassell in 2005, when he got involved in the campaign to save Micklefield Library back in 2005.

Together with other residents they successfully kept the old library going before obtaining the Lottery funding to build the new library.

It was this successful campaign which was instrumental in inspiring Matt to stand for election to the district council.

Matt has seen both Chaudhary and Julia as important role models as he has developed his confidence and skills as an effective councillor.

Ben Holkham – Liberal Democrats

Ben Holkham is a professional economist and self-employed businessman.  He lives locally with his wife Tamsin.

As part of his previous role, Ben was an adviser to local small businesses helping them grow.  He has expertise in reading accounts which would help ensure taxpayers get good value for money.

Ben is concerned about Conservative cuts to public services and has been involved in the campaign to ‘Save Our Children’s Centres’ attending rallies, consultations and organising petitions.  He feels everyone should get a fair chance in life and no child should be left behind.

He believes the people of Wycombe know what’s best for the town – not Aylesbury – and is fighting for Wycombe to get its own town council so residents’ voices are heard.

Ben believes in quality rented accommodation and has been helping people in the fight against rogue landlords, in some cases saving tenants hundreds of pounds.

Israr Rashid – Labour

Israr was born in Wycombe and has been a resident of the Totteridge and Bowerdean division for most of his life.  He stood as a candidate for the district elections in 2015 for the Abbey ward.

He is a local businessman and family man with strong ties to the town. He is keen to ensure that the cuts in local government budgets do not endanger vital public services.

Israr is very passionate  about campaigning for better roads throughout the town and beyond.

He also believes that Wycombe should have its A&E reinstated and the hospital should be adequately funded to ensure first class care for everyone.

He believes that Wycombe should have its own town council and feels that it is important, especially in light of the unitary council, that Wycombe should have its own voice.