Labour launches election campaign

Apr 4, 2011 Caitlin Bisknell Uncategorized No Comments

High Peak Labour Party has announced its candidates for the elections to High Peak Borough Council on May 5.

Leader of the Labour Group, Caitlin Bisknell said: “We have a very strong field of candidates across the borough – who have already been getting some very positive feedback on the doorstep.”

Labour’s candidates include several people standing for election for the first time: Ben Hopkins, Damien Greenhalgh, Garry Parvin, Colin Waude, Robert O’Connor, Nick Longos, Lynn Stone, Fiona Sloman, Phil Ashmore and Chris Payne, Mave Morrison and Phil Forest in Blackbrook. There are also some familiar faces hoping to return to the borough council: Godfrey Claff, Ellie Wilcox in Padfield, Tim Norton in Chapel, and Lance Dowson in New Mills.

Sitting councillors: Anthony Mckeown, Vicky Mann, Bob Mckeown, Graham Oakley, Caitlin Bisknell and Ian Huddlestone are seeking re-election.

“People across High Peak are increasingly worried about the effects of the Tory led Government’s economic policies – from increasing prices, to reductions in winter fuel allowance and the trebling of tuition fees,” said Caitlin.

“We recognise that these are tough times, but people are now telling us that the cuts are being made too fast and too deep. Locally we have seen Tory led Derbyshire County Council vote to cut travel subsidies for young and old alike, while vital bus services face the axe.

“Locally too we already know that there will be fewer bobbies on the beat, fewer firefighters and fewer nurses; school budgets are being hit hard and nationally unemployment has already hit a 17 year high.”

Caitlin said, if elected, Labour would to keep fees and charges for council services down; look for new ways to improve snow clearance on side streets and residential areas; champion local communities; support local voluntary groups; seek to attract businesses and create new jobs; introduce an improved recycling scheme and work with police and others to keep our communities safe.

The full list of Labour party candidates is: