A COUNCILLOR says he wants to stand in a ward he might not win because he is a “Woodford person”.

Cllr Lloyd Duddridge, who represents the Roding ward, says he is looking forward to going up against the leader of Redbridge Conservatives in a new area, despite the challenge ahead.

The Labour councillor is one of the candidates standing in Bridge Ward, along with Eleanor Taylor and Guy Williams. They will go up against Paul Canal, the current leader of Redbridge Conservatives.

Cllr Duddridge returns after figures within the party tried to stop his selection in the Churchfields ward last year.

The Labour councillor insists he wants to stand in Bridge ward because of the people he represents.

He says: “I am looking forward to it. I enjoy a good battle and want to fight for causes like Woodford Town FC because I am a Woodford person. I don’t want to stand anywhere else in the borough.

“I think there is some added pressure on the Tories. I wanted to carry on representing people on the Orchard Estate. 

“It’s a challenge and it’s not going to be easy. I wanted to stand even if I don’t get the result I want. I think we can be proud of what we have achieved in Roding alongside Cllr Deakins.

“I want to bring a similar result to Bridge ward. I think they have missed out for far too long. I don’t think it would be beneficial for residents to keep opposition politicians throwing stones from the outside.”

The Roding ward will no longer exist after the local elections on Thursday, May 3.