Tom, 34, who lives in Melksham says he hopes on being returned to the Council he can “provide a strong voice for local people”
“I’m proud to call Melksham my home,” he said. “I hope to be elected and to put our community first,” he said.
“Until May 2024, I had the honour of being the Mayor of Melksham. However, since I left the Council, I have become deeply concerned. The Town Council has started to lose accountability, making decisions behind closed doors and appointing councillors seemingly by a self-interested cabal.
“Councillors appear to have forgotten that they are public servants; they should be accountable to local residents and put residents’ priorities first.
“I am standing once more to address this accountability gap. If elected, I will use my experience as a Councillor to make sure our Council is open, accountable and focuses on the wishes and needs of local residents.”
Putting the residents of Melksham first
“I will ensure our allotments are not sold off for housing development. I want to find a workable solution to the Splash Pad, which seems to be out of action more often
than it’s working. The Town Council needs to deliver value for money; people simply cannot afford hikes to the Town Council precept, to fund councillor’s vanity projects.
“As someone who has lived in Melksham my whole life, and whose family have lived here for generations, I don’t want to see the town changed beyond all recognition, with services stretched so they do not meet the needs of local people.”
Tom was first elected to the Town Council in 2021 serving for four years; he previously stood as an Independent, but joined the Conservative Party earlier this year, after working closely with Conservative councillors during his time in office.
“I originally stood as an Independent to put Melksham residents first, and as I was elected as an Independent, it felt wrong to adopt a Party label under which I had not been elected. However, I am proud to stand as a Conservative now; I share the same values as local Conservatives; our priorities are: responsible spending, supporting our community groups and prioritising the wishes of residents.”
Chairman of Melksham and Devizes Conservative Association Brian Burchfield said Tom was “an excellent candidate who will use his experience to improve the town for the better.”
“Tom Price has already shown his commitment to Melksham and I am thrilled that he has joined the Conservative Party. He’s exactly the kind of person we need in local politics – he’s dynamic and has deep roots in his community, having grown up and
worked there all his life. I know he will make an excellent councillor.
“At a time when many residents feel politically disconnected, the Conservatives in Melksham and Devizes want to refocus local politics on the values that have long defined both Wiltshire and the United Kingdom: strong communities, prioritising local
people, a thriving economy, and national pride.
“Local Conservatives are offering a clear, principled message that puts Wiltshire’s residents first. From protecting rural livelihoods to delivering efficient public services, our vision places community, responsibility, and freedom at the heart of local politics.”
