Kate Kay, wife of Norman Kay, up for SDC elections on May 2

The wife of Cllr Norman Kay, who died in December, is standing for election to replace him as a Green district councillor for Nailsworth.

Kate Kay decided to stand in May’s council elections as a way of continuing Norman’s work for the Nailsworth community.

She said: “Norman and I had shared values and attitudes about politics and society, so if I get elected to replace him it will feel like he left a legacy that continues."

Kate has been on Horsley Parish Council for 12 years and is the current council chair. 

Kate, who until a few years ago was active in the Labour Party, decided to stand for council as a Green in March this year.

She said: “Norman was always a Green member and having lived with him for so long I felt I was almost a member myself.

"Joining the Greens and standing as a councillor in my own right felt very natural as I already felt assimilated into the party.

“Some people thought I was mad making the decision so soon after Norman died, but there was no time to wait, because of the election timetable.

"And in fact everyone has been amazing, I’ve had loads of support, especially from the many people who loved Norman.”

Kate hopes she can continue Norman’s legacy of strong community involvement.

“He really loved this area and this community and was proud to be a councillor here.”

Kate says she and Norman shared attitudes and beliefs, despite being in different political parties.

“Despite the different labels we gave ourselves, we had fundamentally the same beliefs. We talked a lot about politics but we didn’t have major arguments about it.

"Those debates are the thing I miss most.

"Talking things through and working with others to find solutions is the best approach, whether in politics or relationships.”

Kate will be running for Nailsworth alongside fellow Green candidate Rod Nelson, a well-known local artist and climate activist.