Andrew Judge

http://www.labour.org.uk/people/detail/andrew-judge

Andrew Judge
Candidate for Wimbledon

Andrew was Parliamentary candidate in 2010. By also taking a Council seat in South Wimbledon, he achieved a Labour administration of Merton Council and pushed the Tories into opposition. As Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration, he is passionate about environmental issues. He is leading the remodeling of Wimbledon, Mitcham and Colliers Wood to make them more beautiful and sustainable. He leads Merton's cycling and community food growing ambitions.

Andrew was Leader of Merton Council from 2001-6 when it improved from a position of weakness to one of strength taking a 'Journey to Excellence', including a transformation of service quality e.g Children’s Services went from being in Special Measures to being amongst the best. Investment was made in libraries, parks and sport facilities and the relative size of the council tax was reduced against other outer London boroughs. Andrew led a complete schools reorganization including the creation of two academies. In 2003, he created the 'Merton Rule' requiring 'on site' renewable energy: an approach eventually adopted by 140 councils across the country. Local planning briefs on land controlled by the Council also called for low carbon housing that have since led to exemplary award winning developments.

He is committed to the aspiration of AFC Wimbledon to find a home in Merton. Andrew was born to John and Audrey and brought up in in Salford and comes from a very political family. He attended De La Salle College, Pendleton and the University of Kent at Canterbury where he studied Law. He has been a criminal barrister for twenty years and has masters degrees in Politics & Administration and Environmental Law. He likes history, architecture, swimming, cycling and walking in the country. He is married to Linda Kirby, his companion in life and has a large wider family whom he adores.