A virtual interview – with myself!
Name – Karen Tracy Varga
Age – 44
Occupation – Full time mum, carer for my daughter, who is diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition, and volunteer with the Stratford National Autistic Society Branch
I believe I should be a councillor because
I care about people. I work really hard when I am passionate about something – like I work really hard for the National Autistic Society Branch, even though I don’t get paid for it. I really want to see a change in our society to a much more equal and fair place where those who are the richest are just a little less rich and support those who are poorest, weakest and need help, usually, despite what the highly biased newspapers say, through no fault of their own. I especially care about those who struggle to have their voice heard: – the elderly; the disabled; people who haven’t had some of the life chances others have; people with mental illness; carers; children; single parents; the small business person; the worker on minimum wage; the small-holder; to name but a few. I also think Climate Change is happening (faster and faster) and we need a plan to minimise it and help those affected by it as it impacts more and more (especially on the poorest and least able to cope with it). We cannot continue taking resources from the planet at the rate we are – we have to slow down, and then stop – the planet is not a never-ending supply – it will run out eventually – our best hope is if we all work together on that.
The best thing about this area is
The wonderful countryside and all my friends and colleagues personally and in the charity; not-for –profit; campaigning; and voluntary sectors.
The worst things about this area are
Apathy, lack of support for people with autism (and disabled people in general), the poor public transport network and lack of opportunity and support for young people from the current councillors.
The treasury has given you £1 million to spend on a specific project in the constituency. How would you spend it?
As a councillor I wouldn’t have this opportunity – but I’ll leave my old answer in (from the general election!)
£1 million unfortunately doesn’t go far. I think insulating homes – first those on pensions, benefits and low incomes and then people who could afford it would pay back the cost through their lowered heating bills, to be re-invested in other energy saving plans. This would reduce fuel poverty, create jobs and reduce carbon emissions.
Favourite place in the constituency?
My back garden! Also the garden at Lifeways Centre, and the canal towpaths.
Where would you choose to spend a night out in the constituency?
I’d love to be able to afford the theatre – but I can’t. I do enjoy a meal out occasionally and there are lots of great pubs (but sadly fewer and fewer seemingly by the week). I enjoy a good curry as vegetarians are well catered for.
My greatest fear is
My children’s future: – jobs, housing, support for people with disabilities, peak oil and the changing climate will make life much, much harder for them.
My proudest moment was
Becoming a mother to my 2 beautiful daughters.
My most embarrassing moment was?
Cleaning my Dyson by putting the head in a bucket of water – and turning it on! (I’m a qualified electronics engineer – I should have known better!!)
What makes you laugh?
I love comedy! Mark Thomas of course! Bill Bailey, Billy Connelly, Marcus Brigstock. The Now Show, News Quiz, Newsjack (Radio 7) and Mock The Week!
What makes you angry?
Intolerance, injustice and discrimination. Rhetoric, mis-information and spin. Lobbying by large cororations. Voter apathy and ‘tactical voting’.
Your Favourites:
Food – I love food! I wish vegetarians were better catered for locally. A restaurant in the area like Terre a Terre, or Food for Friends in Brighton, or Tibits in London, would be amazing – if I were rich I’d open a great vegetarian/vegan restaurant!
Book – Affluenza by Oliver James or Mendel’s Dwarf by Simon Mawer.
Film – The Age of Stupid or The Green Mile.
Music – Folk and Rock, especially Show of Hands. I steward at the Warwick Folk Festival – it’s brilliant!
Sport – I like walking and cycling. Not a fan of competetive sports.
The (living) person I most admire is – Arundhati Roy and Caroline Lucas (yep I know that’s 2!).
I would least like to be stuck in a lift with – Tony Blair, Jeremy Clarkson, David Cameron and Jordan/Katie Price. (oh and lets add Nick Clegg to that list!)
My top three dinner guests (alive or dead) would be – Aristotle, William Shakespeare, Caroline Lucas and Bill Bailey (Comic) (and yep – that’s 4!).
I would like to have had more time with – My Dad, who was a refugee from Hungary in 1956 after the Uprisings against the Russian invasion and died when he was 52, and my Grandad as he could have taught me more of his gardening tips!
