Martin Hayes: the real local choice
Martin Hayes, pictured above with Cllr Selina Short and Cllr David Harvey is the local choice for the Vincent Square by-election on Thursday 27 February. We asked Martin to introduce himself.
My name is Martin Hayes. My grandparents moved to this area in the 1950s, my parents were born here, and I was born in the old Westminster Hospital on Horseferry Road in March 1980. There was never a time growing up when I didn’t feel blessed and inspired to be born in our small corner of Westminster.
I am a publican and small businessperson; I own CASK Pub and Kitchen on Charlwood Street as well as a separate company with pubs dotted around London.
These deep roots and local connections mean that I am perfectly equipped to understand the frustrations and anger people are feeling at this current time. Our corner of Westminster was never perfect, it has always had rough edges, but people felt safe walking the streets. Now our neighbourhood is overrun with drug dealers and users doing deals on street corners or using drugs on our doorsteps, forcing mothers with children and older or vulnerable people to cross the street or simply stay home in fear. This used to be an amazing place to live, work or raise a family. There was a time when friends or colleagues living in a different part of London would discuss the challenges in their area and we would secretly think how lucky we were that our little neighbourhood was, in comparison, a small oasis, but that sadly is no longer the case.
We rightly expect and deserve better in our corner of Westminster.
Would a little boy or girl growing up here today feel the same sense of inspiration that I felt as a child? Sadly, the likely answer is they probably would not. They might grow up asking questions beyond their years about the horrors they have witnessed on the streets or why they are not allowed to go out to play.
I hear every single day from neighbours that people are frustrated and angry with the deteriorating state of our local area. By coming together at the by-election, we can send a powerful message that we reject the current malaise and demand clean, safe streets.
If you trust me with your vote on Thursday 27 February my promise to you is a simple one: I will be relentless in advocating for you, your family, and our community alongside Councillors David Harvey and Selina Short.
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