Young Lib Dem hopeful of becoming Councillor

11.16.14pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 31st May 2005

Tom will be the youngest Councillor in the South East

The local party has selected Tom Symondson, 22, as the Lib Dem candidate in the Pembury by election.

Tom was born in Pembury Hospital in November 1982 and has lived in the village since 1983. He attended Pembury Primary School and then Mascalls in Paddock Wood. Following A-levels at Mascalls 6th Form he went on to study International Relations at the University of Plymouth before moving back to Pembury to take up a job with Kent County Council.

Since returning, Tom has become a governor of Mascalls and is currently the youngest school governor Kent.

Asked about the reason he decided to stand, Tom says, "Villages like Pembury are too often forgotten by a council more concerned with the Town Centre and I want to change that. Having spent my life in Pembury, I understand how important it is to maintain its 'village' feel while keeping it in the 21st Century."

To this end he plans to campaign for better transport links to help people, both young and old, who have to rely on public transport and therefore experience the frustrations of limited timetables in Pembury, especially outside rush hours. He also feels strongly about the lack of youth facilities in the village and will work with other local councillors to change this.

"Just because the general election has passed" says Tom, "doesn't mean we won't continue holding the Tory controlled Borough and County Councils to account!"