Local community campaigner David Lydiat will be the Conservative Candidate in the countermanded Cherwell District Council election for Bicester West. The election will take place on Thursday 21 June following the very sad and sudden death of previous candidate Jolanta Lis who was defending her Council seat.
David commented: “This is an election that no one wanted given the circumstances. I met Jolanta as part of St Edburg’s Church and realised that not only was she a lovely person but that she was someone who cared deeply about our town and its residents.
I hope to be able to carry on the great work she has done for Bicester.”
The Bicester resident, who is a local RSPB volunteer says he wants to give back to a community that has given so much to his own family.
David explained: “In Bicester, we have realised the dream of owning our own home and found a community where we wanted to raise a family. Bicester has been wonderful to us. I want to help other local young people be able to get on the housing ladder. I also want to focus on supporting local businesses and Bicester town centre; which I know is a priority for residents. My family used to run a small business, so I understand the challenges.”
David Lydiat has the backing of Bicester’s Member of Parliament Victoria Prentis who said: “David will be a great champion for our community. I have already met him to discuss residents’ priorities where he reported the recent unauthorised traveller encampments on the park and ride and raised concerns about Chiltern Railways services. He is a community campaigner who understands the issues that matter to you and I am delighted to lend him my support.”
A by-election for Jolanta’s Town Council seat will also take place on Thursday 21 June. Przemek Rybka has been selected as the Conservative candidate for this election.
He says: “Being involved with Bicester Twinning Association I knew Jolanta well. Her death has been a big loss to our community and I know her contribution, through many local organisations, will be sorely missed. I am honoured to have been selected to contest the by-election and pledge to work hard to defend it in Jolanta’s memory.
I share the priorities of local residents: championing Sheep Street as the cultural and retail centre of our town, defending key local green spaces and investing in our play areas, and improving integration of our growing town and the multi-national community.”