Vincenzo Capozzoli

Councillor in Southampton

I am originally from neighbouring Somerset but moved to Southampton to attend Southampton University in 2004. By the time I completed my course I had fallen in love with Southampton and decided to stay here and make it my home.  I now work as a teacher in the area.

I wanted to give back something to the local Portswood community which has been so good to me during my four years living in the city and so I stood for my local council.

Like teaching being a councillor is really rewarding, they are two jobs where you meet and help hundreds of people every year.  I enjoy helping people, helping them to access different services and supporting them when things go wrong.  I also enjoy being able to influence council policy, fighting on behalf of residents to ensure that everyone get the best possible service.

Southampton is an amazing place with so much brilliant work going on. As a councillor I have the ability to spread and promote that message.

Would I recommend standing as a councillor? Undoubtedly yes.

As local residents we moan and groan about the way local and national government is working; from the pot hole outside our house to the state of our local park. As a councillor you can actively do something about this, changing your local area for the better and helping hundreds of people along the way.

We should be proud to live in a democracy like the United Kingdom, becoming a councillor allows you to engage and promote that political institution allowing the continuation of our great democratic process.