Julia Hill is to stand in the Isle of Wight Council election.
A LEADING campaigner in the fight against plans for an asphalt plant near Cowes has announced her intention to stand in the Isle of Wight Council elections in May.
Julia Hill will stand as an independent in the Whippingham and Osborne ward, currently held by Conservative councillor, Edward Giles, cabinet member for procurement, fire, highways and transport.
The Tories have named software developer Stephen Hendry as their candidate for the seat, with Cllr Giles standing in neighbouring Wootton Bridge, where he lives.
An online profile reveals Mr Hendry, of Rosetta Drive, East Cowes, has a young family and they are members of the Isle of Wight Salvation Army.
He said: "I feel it is particularly important we have more working age people, like myself, on the local authority to ensure the voice of young families is heard.
"At the same time, I want to be a strong advocate for the needs of older residents who need and deserve our support."
Ms Hill, a former Ryde High School pupil and Royal Naval nurse, helped lead the fight against floating bridge passenger charges and has coordinated WRAP’s (Wight Residents against Asphalt Plant) campaign against Eurovia’s proposal for an asphalt plant at Medina Wharf, Cowes.
She is also founder of Friends of Frank James, a project which has seen the grounds of the historic former Frank James Hospital cleared and tidied.
The mum-of-two, who lives at Osborne Heights, said: "I’m not going to pluck promises out of the air as political parties often do.
"I am going to be realistic and tell you I have no idea what future budgets will allow and right now in these times of austerity and central government cuts the last thing people need is another list of broken promises from another typical politician."
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk