Animal Welfare Party is delighted to announce two candidates  standing for the party in the May 5th local elections. Richard (Rik) Moran will stand for AWP in Victoria Ward, Southend while Saffron Gloyne will stand in Croydon’s Addiscombe West ward. 

Saffron will focus her campaign on standing up against wildlife crime in Croydon, championing the borough’s ability to become a nationwide leader in the battle against single use plastic and opposing cruel duckling & chick hatching projects in the borough’s schools. 

Rik will focus his campaign on ensuring the climate and biodiversity emergency is prioritised in all council decision-making, ensuring the council delivers on its promise of creating a dog-friendly section of beach and bringing council-funded firework displays into the 21st century – with an end to the noise harmful to so many animals and people and greater use of new visual technologies. 

More about AWP’s candidates below. 

Saffron Gloyne – Addiscombe West Ward, Croydon 

A lifelong Croydon resident, Saffron lives in Addiscombe West with her Jack Russell, Geoffrey. She has always been a vocal champion of the vulnerable instilled by her mother who spent her life nursing for the NHS.

Since becoming vegan over three years ago, Saffron has become heavily involved in both animal rescue and campaigning and has decided to dedicate her life to implementing real change for both wildlife and domestic animals through community action, already working alongside a number of organisations to successfully change policies and save animal lives.

She says of standing as a candidate for Animal Welfare Party “This felt like a natural progression for me. In order to effect widespread, tangible progress and improve conditions for the animals and people in our community, there needs to be a voice in the council speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. I hope to galvanise the local community and the council in making choices that benefit all of us and ensure the future of our environment.”

Richard (Rik) Moran – Victoria Ward, Southend 

Rik shares his home with dog Loki and cat Dusk in Southend’s Victoria ward where he has lived for 3 years. Rik works as a Team Leader for Greene King at The Guildford public house and is a passionate animal advocate. Rik has spent years studying and practicing as a Canine Behaviourist and Hydro therapist before the impact of covid meant him returning to the hospitality trade. Rik is an active volunteer at the local RSPCA branch, helping animals in need in the immediate area.

Rik believes that now is the time to create a more ethical environment for animals and to protect their status in law. Rik became a member of AWP in the run up to the last general election, after discovering the party when researching who he should vote for. After reading numerous party manifestos, Rik concluded that AWP is the party that best represents him. On a national level, Rik wants an end to Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) and for animal sentience to be recognised. 

Rik has put himself forward to stand in this election for AWP because he wants to raise the profile not only of AWP but of the suffering of animals. Rik believes there’s huge potential for Southend to become a fairer, more compassionate and sustainable home for people, animals and environment. 

Rik says “AWP is the only party that has the commitment of working within the political system to drive the positive shift needed in reducing animal suffering while at the same time improving public health and our impact on the environment. I urge Victoria ward residents to vote for a fairer future for all this May 5th.”