There is just over a week to go until the country goes to the polls in the General Election.
West Berkshire now straddles two constituencies, the new-look Newbury and then the Reading West and Mid Berkshire. Each constituency has seven candidates standing.
Local democracy reporter Niki Hinman has put the same six questions to all of the Newbury candidates and spoken to all of the Reading West and Mid Berkshire candidates.
Over the next few weeks we will be turning the spotlight on one of them every day.
We will be starting with Newbury and working our way, alphabetically, through the candidate list.
The Green candidate for the Newbury Parliamentary seat says he is standing to help protect his grand children’s future.
Steve Masters is 54 and works in the renewables sector. He is a current Newbury town councillor and former West Berkshire Council councillor.
1: What made you run for office?
Having been an engineer in the Royal Air Force for almost two decades, public service has been central to my life. As the son a prison officer and grandson of a Second World War Lancaster aircrewman public service is in my blood. Since leaving the RAF that service has continued, through voluntary work and recently elected office, once again serving the people of Newbury and West Berkshire. Standing in the General Election is merely the next step, being chosen to represent Newbury in parliament would be the greatest honour of my life.
2: Do you have family/partner and what do they think of you running for Parliament?
My partner is also running for election in the Reading West and Mid Berkshire constituency so we support each other. We have already been out in each other’s constituencies leafleting. We don’t live together so even though politics is a big part of our lives together we have our own spaces to which we can retreat should the pressure build. Political life is all consuming and having a partner who lives that too is an asset. I think it would be very tough putting in the hours I do otherwise.
3: When did your interest in politics take hold?
Even while serving in the RAF I was politically aware but never actually voted until I had left in 2004. I returned to education in 2010 - a history degree, with a dissertation on the lack of women in the historical record of Thatcham through the life of Anna Munro, a suffrage campaigner who lived in West Berkshire - and connected the environmental concerns to the social challenges we were facing and still face after the crash in 08/09.
Without tackling social inequality we won’t be able to tackle the huge threat that is climate change and biodiversity loss. We have to bring all our citizens with us. I joined the Green Party in 2015 and became active locally shortly after.
4: Why do you think people will vote for you/your party?
The Greens offer a more collaborative approach to the ugly, divisive nature of politics these days, but at the same time we offer an honest view of things.
Our elected councillors here in Newbury and West Berkshire have time and time again voted with all parties when we believe that the issue is the best for residents. That differs from others who often talk about collaboration but fail to act on that more often than not.
When I listen to residents across the district they say how fed up with politicians they are. It is great to hear that they see us as a real alternative to the status quo.
5: Beating the campaign trail means you are speaking to people on the doorstep. What are they saying to you?
They are telling me it’s our time. Very few are dismissive and no one has been aggressive or rude. They know we stand up against injustice, protecting our environment and are willing to listen. Far too often politicians talk to voters, rather than listening to them.
6: You are representing a minority party – what does a vote for you mean?
A vote for me represents the opportunity for real change. While the concerns about the environment are at the forefront, voters see that a vote for me and the Green Party is a vote for action and not just words. For too long voters have been taken for granted and with my record of public service, compassion and empathy they will get an MP who will fight to protect every single one of them.
I have been out in front of the sewage issue here in the Kennet and Lambourn chalk streams. I was the first to call for Thames Water to come to West Berkshire Council and explain to the scrutiny commission what they were doing about the lack of investment and environmental protections.
That battle continues with my call on WBC to issue abatement notices in the interest of public safety. How long do we wait before we act? Does someone have to die first?
