Jason’s first experience of Croydon was back in 1989 when he was sent to study a HND in Distribution at Croydon College as part of his management training. Having moved to London for work from Bournemouth, Croydon seemed a bustling and lively city. Great shopping and nightlife with fantastic green spaces and a feel of optimism that is so lacking today. The slow decline that started when Labour took control of the council in 1994 and accelerated through the disastrous reign of Newman and Hall was a key reason why he got involved in politics, not just to make a difference, but to make one HERE, in Croydon. Bringing about a return to those heady days is a mission he shares with his local colleagues, not least Mayor Perry. To have the chance to become an MP in our wonderful town would provide an important platform to push forward that recovery.
Jason has lived here in Croydon East, on the Monks Hill estate for nearly 30 years. He formerly lived in Addiscombe on Blackhorse Lane and ran the Co-Op in New Addington. His children attended Selsdon Primary School and were all members of a local church. He was first elected as a Councillor in 2010 in the old Heathfield ward that covered Shirley Hills, Addington Village, Monks Hill and Forestdale and then in 2018 to the new Shirley South ward. Both wards are now in Croydon East and he has good working relationships and long history with the local residents associations and many voluntary groups covering both areas.
In 1995 Jason and Rachel were married here in Croydon and hired the Chinese restaurant on Shirley Hills for their reception, the wedding photos were taken in the rose garden there with family and friends in attendance. Then, before heading off on honeymoon, they spent their wedding night at the Selsdon Park Hotel (now Birch). Then in October 1999 two became three when his daughter Joy was born. Weighing in at a healthy 8lbs she was delivered at home on Lomond Gardens in Selsdon. It went so well that two years later they did it again with David! Having your children born at home creates a special bond to the place it happens and creates roots that go very deep. David is now in Leeds finishing University and Joy is a British Army officer serving in the Royal Engineers.
This constituency isn’t just his home, it is a place where many key moments in his life have taken place. He wants to give back to the community that has defined both his and his families lives.
The time and effort that volunteers commit to our community here in Croydon East is immense. He has seen this first hand over many years and it never ceases to amaze him just how much can be achieved with willing hands. He served for 10 years on the Croydon Churches Floating shelter at St Francis Church. Providing a safe overnight space for the homeless to sleep, have some company and a hot meal. He often used to do the night shift before going to work the next day. Many of the homeless they supported had full time jobs as well and were heading off to work in the morning! So many preconceptions about people are a long way off the mark. Croydon East has many schools and Jason has been a Governor at Selsdon High (now Quest Academy), Shirley High and Gilbert Scott where he was the Chair of Governors. Each was a very different experience and an insight into many of the issues facing residents in Croydon East.