Ria Patel – Green Party Councillor in Fairfield

Ria was born and raised in Croydon and is Croydon’s youngest and first non-binary councillor. They are a councillor for Fairfield, Croydon’s town centre and are the Chair of the Streets and Environment Scrutiny Sub-Committee, as well sitting on the Licensing Committee too. Within the Green Party of England and Wales, they are the Equalities & Diversity spokesperson and a committee member of the Green Party’s Campaign’s Committee.

Here in Croydon, Ria is a trustee and director of Croydon Pride and the Fuel Poverty Director for Croydon Community Energy, organising their energy advice sessions. She also volunteers at Croydon Urban Mushroom Farm, which is in Fairfield and a part of Croydon Circular Economy.

Before being elected Ria studied Psychology  at university and was involved in various Green Party liberation groups, as well as campaigns for migrant justice, LGBTIQA+ rights and climate action.

They would like to re-envision Croydon as a town made for the people and the environment: a place where people have access to affordable housing, where local businesses are supported, where all public services are properly funded and where the environment is cared for, without exploitation.