Councillor who quit Labour Party standing again as independent

Karen Sudan represents Northgate & West Green at both West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council.

She and fellow borough councillor Rory Fiveash quit the Labour Party to become independents last summer.

Mrs Sudan is standing again as an independent at both the borough and district council elections next Thursday (May 6).

Here is a full list of all Crawley’s borough council and county council candidates.

Mrs Sudan said: “My record on both councils will show that the thing I feel most strongly about is the need for much better scrutiny of the plans and decisions that are made that affect the lives of residents. Too many important decisions are made behind closed doors by one or two people, with only a nod – sometimes not even a nod – towards an opportunity for others to ask questions.”

She believes the plans for 10,000 homes West of Ifield are not in the town’s interest with Crawley people making it clear ‘that they don’t want it’.

She also questioned why the borough council has not fully discussed it and taken no official position on ‘something that will have such a massive effect on the town’.

Mrs Sudan added: “If I am elected, not only will I push for the borough council to take a position on this issue, but I will also propose that the council work with other bodies and declare an ecological emergency.

“If the council truly do not believe that this development is in Crawley’s interests and that it is better for all of us that the area is left to nature for us to benefit from and enjoy as such, then it is perfectly possible for the council to follow the example set elsewhere and to take a lead in this way.

“If I am re-elected, I will continue to ask questions and to demand more robust scrutiny of the decision-making process at all stages and levels. We have to make sure that those who make decisions about our services, our money and our public assets are accountable to those they serve – us.”