Dave Ainslie is one of four nominees hoping to take on the Uppingham Ward vacancy on the 5th of May 2022 during the local by-elections.

Dave, who was awarded the British Empire Medal in the January 2020 New Year Honours List, is the only Independent candidate running and he hopes that his experience on Uppingham Town Council and long-term residence in Uppingham will help him win votes. 

Dave Ainslie said: "I have lived in Uppingham for over 30 years, raising my children here with my wife Sheena.  Now as grandparents we are very fortunate to have our six grandchildren living in Uppingham, Oakham and just over the Rutland border in Cottingham.

"I am standing as an Independent candidate and will not be aligning myself with any political party.  I have no objections to political parties in principle but I have a strongly held view that it is inappropriate for party politics to become involved in local government."

Dave's main policies are:

• to keep in touch with local views 
• to make Rutland a viable place to live and work 
• attempting to provide affordable homes for young people in the area. 

Dave added: "I have served as a Town Councillor on Uppingham Town Council for the past eleven years, also serving as Mayor of Uppingham between 2014 and 2016.  I intend to continue as a town councillor as well as serving on Rutland County Council if I am elected to do so, to ensure that I stay aware of local views.

"This is because I know from serving on the Town Council that town councillors are often seen as the first port of call for any local issues and that the County Council can seem to be a bit remote at times.

"My key achievements to date have been to deliver a free Hopper Bus service for Uppingham, play a major part in the delivery of the Neighbourhood Plan and serve as the Vice-Chair of Uppingham Homes Community Land Trust which is trying to provide affordable homes for our young people who are often priced out of the commercial housing market.

"If elected I will ensure that the voice of Uppingham is heard at County as for too long it has not received the level of support that it warrants.  My style is to work collaboratively with other councillors and Council employees as I believe that dialogue and consultation is the right way forward.  I will work hard to make our County a great place to live and work.  Most importantly, I will listen to local views and represent them at the County level."

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