Lib Dem candidate in by-election makes ‘dignity’ in housing a key pledge

A Liberal Democrat candidate who grew up watching his parents serve a community is preparing to represent his party in an upcoming by-election.

Vikas Aggarwal, 35, from Camberwell New Road in Camberwell Green is running in Southwark council’s Newington by-election on June 29.

Mr Aggarwal, who is currently working as a Magistrate at South East London Court says he is hoping to help people achieve “dignity” in their own homes.

He said: “No one wants a mouldy home. Housing is such an important part of life, without a safe, clean home everything else falls down around you.”

Volunteering regularly at a youth centre in Bermondsey, Mr Aggarwal has seen first hand how damaging poor housing can be for young people.

He said: “There are these really bright kids but they’re disruptive at school. They’re disruptive because they’re not sleeping, because of the conditions they’re living in, the mould and damp. It’s no way for children to live.”

After graduating from university in mechanical engineering and international business, Mr Aggarwal worked across four Government departments for almost 15 years, including the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign Office and the Department of International Trade. 

Now standing as a candidate for a by-election, Mr Aggarwal has had to adjust from international to local politics.

He said: “Local politics gives the chance to see different communities and see how I can help and learn. I had no interest in politics until six or seven years ago- in the civil service you can’t be involved.

“But I have always been committed to public service.”

Mr Aggarwal was born in Kent to Indian migrant parents.

He said: “When my parents moved to the UK they set up an equality committee to help communities effected by racism come together.

“This was in the 80s and 90s so racial abuse was rife.

“They didn’t do it because they needed support themselves but because they wanted to use their time well. I have just naturally absorbed it from them.”

The by-election was announced when Labour councillor Alice Macdonald announced her resignation in May. She  plans to stand as a parliamentary candidate for Norwich North at the next general election.

The other candidates for the ward that Mr Aggarwal will be up against include, Ruben David Buendia for the Green Party, Lewis Jack Allan Jones for the Conservative and Unionists and Youcef Hassaine for Labour.

Pictured top: Vikas Aggarwal (Picture: Vikas Aggarwal)