Born and raised in Oxford, with a brief stint in Rome as a child, I have been a City Councillor since 2004. In 2006 I was elected as Executive Member for Housing, a subject very close to my heart as I had been sleeping in the homeless shelter for young people in the winter of 1999-2000, and was previously a Council tenant as well.

Harrogate 2006

During the two years the Lib Dems ran the Council I was involved in several key projects. The Council was recognised by the Government as one of the best authorities at tackling homelessness, and we were the 'Regional Champions for Preventing Homelessness' in 2006/7 and the 'Regional Champions for Preventing Youth Homelessness' in 2007/8. Part of the approach that we took revolved around increasing opportunity for homeless people and trying to get people the skills to make sure they could get back into mainstream society. I myself had been very lucky, but have seen many people who were not. I feel very strongly that this is because not enough emphasis is placed on increasing skills and opportunities for people who fall through the cracks in our society. A flagship project was worked up for a venue in the centre of Oxford, the Old Fire Station, that should provide economic, cultural and social opportunities for people who are homeless and at risk of homelessness. This bid was rated the best in the country by the Government as part of their 'Places of Change' programme.

The week after leaving administration the independent Audit Commission conducted an inspection on strategic housing and awarded the department the second best result of any inspection in the country in the last 5 years. I was also heavily involved with the bid to tackle dodgy private sector landlords by extending licensing controls. Oxford was the first place in the country to apply for these new powers. Poor housing in the private sector, and exploitation of vulnerable tenants, is rife and a long standing problem.

I have keen interests in housing, homelessness and regeneration policy as a result of my experiences and was also very keen in remodelling our estates. We worked with partners to get a long awaited regeneration scheme of the Rose Hill estate started. I also started a project to redevelop Oxford's tower blocks and substandard housing. I have also supported local regeneration schemes in my own ward over the past 5 years and have lobbied heavily (and successfully) for new leisure facilities, transport infrastructure, crime prevention and new housing development.

Outside of the council I have been a long time campaigner on mental health issues. I myself suffered depression for several years in the 1990s, which is what led me to be on the streets. I have also lost a close friend to manic depression and have seen many people let down by the system with disastrous consequences. It is these experiences that really drives my involvement in politics. I realise just how lucky I am to have recovered and fought back from the position my life was in, and it would be unforgivable if I did not try to do something to change some of the problems that I witnessed first hand.

Other issues I have been active in campaigning on include foreign policy issues, particularly around Israel/Palestine and Iraq.

Outside of politics, I enjoy sports, particularly basketball and football. A few years back I helped out my local basketball club by doing in game commentary, and I still play basketball whenever I get the chance. I'm a keen traveller, most recently having been in Japan (where my brother lives) and Lebanon. Finally, I'm a big music fan and have tried my hand at being a DJ in the past.