In just under a months time, on May 5th, the people of Luton will be going to the polls to elect councillors to represent them over the next four years.

I will again be a candidate for the Liberal Democrats in those elections. I will be standing in the Barnfield ward.

This is not the same ward that I have represented as a councillor for the last eight years. I was asked to move by the local party, who I think felt that a shake up and reordering  of the troops would be a good way of reinvigorating our team for the election campaign.

I originally had mixed feelings about this decision, but  it was the right one as I am enthusiastically embracing this new challenge. I am really enjoying working with my fellow candidate Martin Pantling and Barnfield is one of the most attractive parts of Luton sitting as it does under the southern end of the Galley and Warden Hills nature reserve. It also contains the Luton Sixth Form College where I studied many moons ago.

This is a really important election for Luton. Given the national situation and the severe financial constraints on local government, the new council will be making some really tough and difficult decisions. I think it will be critical to have a large Liberal Democrat group to bring some sense and proper rigour to those decisions.

• You can see the full list of local election candidates here.