I recently made the difficult decision to step down as a Councillor. I stood for election because I genuinely wanted to help my local community, but I quickly found that the role was not what I expected – and certainly not what it should be.
After a change of staff, I felt like I couldn’t actually bring forward motions to help the town. Even the smallest proposals were refused, shutting down any chance of meaningful change. And even when the Council did vote for something to be done, staff sometimes just didn’t do it. Instead, they went ahead with large, costly activities without consulting Councillors.
At the simplest of requests – asking how long staff had worked on a project so we could understand its true cost – I was shouted at by staff and accused of “spying” on them. Instead of accountability and transparency, I found a culture of obstruction, disrespect, and dysfunction. I found it utter chaos. For me, there was no teamwork, no respect, and frankly, it wasn’t worth my time or the risk of having actions taken in my name without my consent.
But my wish to help my community hasn’t changed. That’s why I’m putting my energy into Connect Bude.
Why Connect Bude Matters
Connect Bude is campaigning for the reinstatement of a railway link to Bude and Holsworthy. This isn’t just about nostalgia for train services – it’s about revitalising our economy, improving access to essential services, and ensuring our town isn’t left behind.
- Economic Growth – A lack of transport links makes it harder for businesses to thrive. In my own experience at Triangular Pixels, we missed out on a visit from a US-based publisher because we were simply too hard to reach. That’s lost opportunity, not just for us but for the entire local economy.
- Education & Work – Students and workers alike struggle to travel for better opportunities. A rail link would open up access to higher education and employment, ensuring young people don’t have to leave Bude just to build a career.
- Healthcare Access – With Exeter as our main hospital being 1hr 20mins drive away, reliable transport is essential. A railway would provide a safer, more dependable way for residents to access healthcare.
These are real, pressing issues that impact everyone in our community. Unlike my experience as a Councillor, Connect Bude is built on teamwork, respect, and a shared vision for a better future. That’s where my time and energy will make a real difference.
If you care about Bude’s future, I encourage you to support Connect Bude too. Let’s make change happen – together.