Winchester election candidates: Colden Common & Twyford and Denmead

On May 4, residents will be able to vote for one candidate in 16 wards. Sitting councillors are marked with an *. 

We invited every candidate standing in the Winchester City Council local election to submit 100-word profiles. 

These are the candidates standing in Colden Common & Twyford and Denmead and their own words as to why they are standing. 

Colden Common & Twyford 

Lucinda Graham – Green 

Lucinda was an art teacher for many years. She recently created a bust of Greta Thunberg, whom she admires for her astonishing bravery in speaking truth to power, and who is a source of hope to all who have felt despair at governments’ failures to confront the Climate Crisis. 

As registered disabled, she feels immensely grateful to the NHS, agencies such as Citizens Advice, and many friends. She sees this kind of fair and caring community as just as important a part of the Green vision of the future as its commitment to the protection of nature and the planet. 

Hannah Greenberg – Liberal Democrats 

Many people know of Hannah Greenberg through her leadership of the “20’s plenty for Hampshire” campaign. She started the campaign at home in Twyford but her energy and hard work means it has now spread countywide.

Hannah is concerned with all local traffic challenges, and wants more crossings in Twyford and in Colden Common, safe cycle routes to Winchester and more buses, including reversing recent cuts. She continues to call for a safer limit on the roads between communities - including at the Highbridge Road/Main Road junction. 

Callum Hunter – Labour 

Callum is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Southampton, where he works on theoretical physics.

He is running to be a Labour councillor because he believes that Labour is the party that will get the best out of the UK.

There are many issues the current council is failing to deal with, and Callum is confident that as a Labour councillor, he can make a strong start on solving some of these long-standing issues. 

Paula Johnston – Conservative 

My name is Paula Johnston and I grew up in Owslebury but I’ve been living in Twyford now for over 15 years. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by such beautiful countryside. 

I’m a good listener and have an outgoing and friendly personality. I find it very rewarding to make a difference to people’s lives. 

My event company works with charities and special needs schools and I also do various volunteering work. I’m a hard-working passionate person and would love to be given the opportunity to become a local councillor serving the community of Twyford and Colden Common.   

Denmead 

Michael Bennett – Liberal Democrats 

Michael Bennett lives in the heart of Denmead and believes it deserves better representation, following the recent scandal about Denmead Parish Council.

He will continue the Liberal Democrat City Council work with Havant to support the regeneration of Waterlooville - and wants stronger action to protect the rivers and local waterways in the ward.

He is also campaigning for safer roads, with slower speeds and more crossings. 

Paula Langford-Smith – Conservative 

I’ve lived in Denmead with my family for 16 years and we love this community.

If elected, I pledge to ensure the voices of residents are heard at Winchester City Council.

I’ll be a strong advocate for Denmead and Newlands because I care about our community.

I will work to protect the Denmead Gap from development and focus on issues such as anti-social behaviour, littering and speeding.

I will be the voice calling for the facilities and resources we need to continue to have a vibrant and thriving neighbourhood and ensure that our community remains a wonderful place to live.

Beata Parry – Green 

I enjoy gardening and am also a keen walker – hobbies which have allowed me to observe the magic of seasonal changes & how it affects growth and habitats.  Spending so much time outdoors made me realise how precious our planet is and how much it is changing. 

I feel strongly about reducing car pollution, eliminating chemicals from gardens & plastic in our homes.  I am hoping to educate the next generations to reuse and recycle, and to reduce the amount of plastic in everyday use.  I believe the Green Party is the only party fully committed to making these changes. 

David Picton-Jones – Labour 

I am a retired headteacher who lives locally. I was also a magistrate in both Fareham and Portsmouth for 24 years. I’m involved with charity work and I know the area well. 

I am keen to be elected to serve on our local council to promote the principles, values and beliefs of the Labour Party. Locally our communities suffer from years of austerity under the Tories which have left our local structures denied proper support. The evidence is all around us. It includes: 

● The scandal of foodbanks which have to provide food for the poor including children in one of the most prosperous areas of the nation 

● The lack of proper local transport for the 50% of the population without access to a private car 

● The focus on allowing developers to build housing which affords them the greatest profit rather than seeking to provide homes for everyone 

Of course these and the other problems can only be successfully addressed within a national context. Therefore a vote for Labour in Winchester can help to secure a national mood that the government is not addressing the real needs of people. 

READ MORE: Winchester election candidates for Southwick & Wickham and St. Barnabas 

SEE ALSO: Winchester election candidates for Bishop's Waltham and Central Meon Valley

READ ALSO: Winchester election candidates for Alresford & Itchen Valley Badger Farm & Oliver's Battery