Dear Cheltenham Tenant Union members and supporters,

A Voice On The Council for Cheltenham's Renters

As a fellow member of the Cheltenham Tenant Union, I'm writing to let you know that I'm standing as the Green Party candidate in the Lansdown and Park ward for the upcoming county elections. This is your chance to elect a representative who puts renters first.

Why I'm Standing with the Green Party

I chose to stand with the Green Party because their policies most closely align with our tenant union goals. While my first priority remains housing justice and the Cheltenham Tenant Union, I joined the Green Party to further our shared aims. Here's why:

• The council has significant powers to improve housing conditions but is failing to use them
• The Green Party supports proper rent controls and tenant protections
• We need to get rental issues onto the election agenda

Why Lansdown and Park Matter for Renters

We strategically chose to focus on Lansdown and Park because:

• Lansdown: Over 50% of residents are private renters
• Park: Around 35% are private renters
• Cheltenham average: 35% (well above the 20% national average)

These wards represent the heart of Cheltenham's rental crisis, where tenants are spending approximately £1,300 per month—around 30-40% of their income—on rent.

True Affordability: Our Vision

The Cheltenham Tenant Union exists to secure a fair deal for tenants. We believe:

• True affordable rent should be no more than 25% of a tenant's income
• The current definition of "affordable" is ridiculous and unworkable
• Together, we can change this through collective action

What's Missing from the Current Debate

While other parties focus on "pavements and potholes," we're addressing the housing crisis head-on. By standing in this election, we're forcing rental issues onto the agenda during a critical housing crisis.

Our Campaign Approach

We're running a community-focused campaign with three rounds of leafleting:

• ✅ Round 1: COMPLETED
• 🔜 Round 2: Timed to coincide with postal votes
• 🔜 Round 3: Final week push

Our key campaign issues include:

1. Housing and Rent Controls: Including Airbnb regulation to return 750 properties to the residential market
2. Save the Tip Campaign: A protest vote opportunity on another issue that matters to residents

How You Can Support Your Tenant Candidate

1. Vote: Use your vote to support a pro-tenant candidate
2. Donate: Either directly to this Green Party campaign or support Cheltenham Tenant Union
3. Volunteer: Help deliver leaflets (I'm currently delivering about 500 per day myself)
4. Spread the Word: Tell other renters they have a candidate who will represent their interests

This is our opportunity to demonstrate the collective power of tenants. By coordinating our votes, we can send a powerful message that genuinely affordable housing must be a priority.

[Donation links - Green Party campaign and Cheltenham Tenant Union]

Gary Clarke

Green Party Candidate for Lansdown and Park Ward and Member of the Cheltenham Tenant Union

gary.clarke@cheltenhamgreenparty.uk