Wokingham Liberal Democrats have announced a full slate for the all-out Wokingham Borough Council elections on Thursday 7 May 2026, mixing experienced councillors with new faces across every ward.
Notable on the list is Hong Kong exile and political dissident Andy Ng Siu-Hong, who left his homeland after serving as an elected politician and challenging Beijing.
Campaign coordinator Cllr Adrian Betteridge said: "The Liberal Democrat administration at Wokingham Borough Council has a clear strategic objective which drives what we do. "We must do more than just react - we must have a clear sense of what we want to achieve. "We want to help create truly inclusive communities, where everyone has the chance to thrive. Inclusive communities are happier, more successful, and more prosperous communities." "Everyone wants and deserves the chance to contribute, to play their part."
Incumbents standing again include:
- Basit Alvi (Emmbrook) - councillor since 2022, management role at a global technology company, serves on town and borough committees.
- Melanie Cheryl de Jong (Hawkedon) - Lower Earley resident, former secondary school staff, borough councillor and Deputy Mayor of Earley Town Council.
- Caroline Smith (Hillside) - nearly seven years as a councillor, former Mayor of Wokingham Borough and Earley Town, long charity career.
- Andy Ng Siu-Hong (Maiden Erlegh and Whitegates) - serving Lib Dem councillor and former Hong Kong district councillor.
- Carol Jewell (South Lake) - current Borough Mayor and Woodley Town Councillor, school governor and volunteer.
- Chris Johnson (Spencers Wood and Swallowfield) - former RAF officer and past borough councillor, highlights finance and environment.
- Katrin Harding (Thames) - executive member for Environment and Climate Emergency, Charvil Parish Councillor with a background in climate finance.
- Martijn Andrea (Twyford, Ruscombe and Hurst) - borough and parish councillor with interests in local history and archaeology.
- Chris Cooke (Wescott) - science teacher and borough councillor with experience on Licensing and Children's Services committees.
- Chetna Jamthe (Winnersh) - borough and town councillor, background in financial services and voluntary work in mental health and interfaith activity.
New or relatively new candidates include Mohima Bose (Barkham and Arborfield), Richa Singh (Evendons), Laurent Seraphin (Finchampstead), Alwyn Jones (Norreys), and Roberta Brooks and Jerry Percy (Wokingham Without).
Across the borough candidates stress community involvement, professional expertise and long local ties, with recurring themes of affordable housing, youth services, sustainability and listening to residents.
Betteridge says the group aims to be strategic, help people fulfil their potential and create inclusive communities where everyone can thrive, and hopes voters will back their hardworking councillors.
Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter
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