Why I was at home

Being called an armchair Councillor who rarely steps outside his door to meet his residents by Shinfield’s one and only remaining Conservative Cllr Jackie Rance I thought was really so low and despicable but then nothing the Conservatives do anymore surprise. Nastiness is in their their DNA.

I wonder how long Shinfield will tolerate Cllr Rance from Lower Early after such a nasty personal remark on a fellow Councillor who cares about Shinfield as he does Arborfield.

In 25 years as a Councillor representing the good residents of Arborfield I have attended hundreds of Parish Council and other meetings. I have had many one to ones as demand dictates. My record of

Council meetings has been second to none until the Conservatives stopped recording attendances.

Keeping in touch with Arborfield’s residents has always been my number one priority as their Borough representative.

If I am an armchair Councillor – and Councillor Rance is from Lower Earley– how does it explain why a Conservative ex- Shinfield Councillor and a political heavyweight who stood against me last month only got 14% of the vote?

Never in the history of Arborfield has a Conservative Candidate got such a very low vote.

Being called an armchair Councillor needs an explanation.

My Wife Katie of 57 years was diagnosed with a terminal illness seven years ago and given five years to live.

I became her carer through those seven wonderful final years. We both had to shield also during the pandemic which thanks to great neighbours and the CAB we came through unscathed.

Katie was admitted to the Royal Berks by ambulance for the third time on the October 9, last year but Katie came home on the 13th and passed away the following morning with two ambulance crews crews in attendance. At least Katie passed away in her own home with myself and her beloved cats with her. None of her children were here as they live in France and could not travel.

Katie did not die of Covid.

The Ambulance crews and the police were all outstanding as were the Co-Op Funeral Undertakers in dealing with Katie. Although expected at some time or other it was still absolutely devastating and dreadful and a very sad moment when Katie passed away.

Unlike partygate and multiple 10 Downing Street Parties during lockdown we had no funeral.

Katie was cremated at Easthampstead Crematorium with no wake etc. but then we are not Conservatives who can party till the cows come home as to them rules do not apply.

Thanks Jackie.

Cllr Gary Cowan, Independent Borough Councillor for Arborfield at Wokingham Borough Council