Martin Astrand

I’ve lived in Merton and the surrounding area for most of my life; it’s where I live with my wife and two children.

Having spent the last 21 years working as a Train Driver at various companies, I’m proud to deliver a public service, and represent my colleagues as an ASLEF Local & Health and Safety Rep. Working in an industry that’s retained union representation at its heart and a defined benefit pension in retirement has shown me that there’s another way the world of work can be organised, with the justice and fairness that too many of our people have lost.

When I became a father 23 years ago, I started to think more about the world my son would grow into. The reading and learning I undertook taught me that there are big challenges coming our way as our population ages and we navigate a path through the climate challenges that are now baked in. I’d like to serve my community in helping to navigate these challenges in a way that has justice for all at its heart.

Volunteering for five years with the PTFA (Parents, Teachers and Friends Association) charity supporting my son’s school, I learned that contributing time and effort to a community can be personally fulfilling and achieve great things.

I’m standing as a candidate for ‘The Greens’, as social justice at home and abroad, and an understanding of the integral role of nature in every aspect of a lives, is in the DNA of the party.

Ahmed Nasir

I have lived in Morden for over ten years and really appreciate the benefits and advantages of living in such a great place – good transport links, a dynamic, thriving town centre, and easy access to lots of wide-open green spaces.

Having been in the IT industry for over 20 years and, before that, working on the Lombard Trading Estate in South Wimbledon, I have witnessed the changing nature of Merton over that time and feel proud to live in the area.

Before moving to Morden, I grew up in Southfields, next to Wimbledon Park, which gave me my lifelong love of parks and was a factor in me moving to Morden.

I feel that parks are one of our most valuable assets we have as a society and should be treasured for all the health and social benefits they bring us, and I try to use them as much as possible and encourage others to do so as well.

I have decided to stand as a Councillor because I am a passionate believer in giving back to society, as demonstrated by my volunteer work with various local groups, and the Green Party is the natural home for my sense of social inclusion, peace and justice.