Richard Stevens, Labour, Oxford West & Abingdon
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Name: Richard Stevens
Candidate for: Oxford West & Abingdon
Party: Labour
Votes: 5,999
Profile:
RICHARD Stevens was born in Woolwich, south London, and brought up in a single parent family in Bexleyheath and Croydon.
He has a younger sibling with Down’s Syndrome and said it is the biggest factor influencing his political views and interests.
He said: “I’ve seen first-hand how much more Labour has done for people with disabilities and their carers than the Conservatives did.
“For example, spending on adults with learning disabilities increased from £1.7bn in 1997-98 to nearly £3.5bn in 2007-08 – a 96 per cent real terms increase.
“I got involved in politics for a reason – to put those with learning disabilities and their carers higher up the political agenda.”
Mr Stevens studied at Cambridge University and works as an Oxford solicitor.
He is a member of the Down’s Syndrome Association.
He is also interested in legal and constitutional issues, economic affairs, and particularly in sustainability and climate change.
Mr Stevens is a Labour/Co-operative county councillor for Leys and Lye division on Oxfordshire County Council, and deputy leader of the Labour group. He is also a member of the Amicus-Unite union and the Co-operative Party.
He pledged to protect the NHS, schools and community policing and create more affordable homes and jobs in Abingdon, Oxford and Kidlington.
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