Meet our candidates for the May elections
Jonatham Kempster – Leek Rural
“I am standing because I have much experience in supporting people in rural areas to develop their local communities. Additionally, I have lived and worked in the Staffordshire Moorlands for more than 30 years, so I am familiar with many rural issues.
Recently I have heard much talk of making Leek Rural an ‘even better place to live’, yet I see little action. There are promises of safer roads and comprehensive rural transport services, yet little is done and in summer 2020, with the easing of lockdown, the roads felt more dangerous than ever with speeding cars and motorbikes. I have heard talk of ‘protection of our beautiful area’, yet the amount of litter on roadsides is increasingly apparent and many natural landscapes remain under threat of erosion. There is discussion on how to ‘tackle climate change’, yet little action is taken to significantly reduce carbon emissions and pollution. The list of much talk and little action is seemingly endless. This is why I am standing. Things need to change. Action must come from words, not words from words. The Green Party will act on its promises, whether in supporting industry and agriculture to plan a green recovery after the pandemic or in addressing local transport issues. The Green party will work with communities to protect and enhance our beautiful natural landscapes and wildlife. If you truly want to see positive action and improvements in your local community, then vote Green on May 6th.”
Helen stead – Churnet Valley (County)
“If elected, I would ask questions, questions about what is actually being done, following all the fine words and promises, not least in response to the Climate Emergency the County Council declared back in 2019. We need to listen to those that elect us and keep them informed. For too long, those with the privilege of being in the majority Conservative group at County Hall, have taken the people of the Moorlands for granted.
The Churnet Valley was a crucial part of the Industrial Revolution with its copper works, canals, furnaces and mines – let it now be a focus of the new Green Industrial Revolution – helping us build back better, supporting green jobs and helping in our Council’s plans to make Staffordshire a net zero carbon county.
If we want a cleaner, more vibrant and healthier place to live, with a richer, more diverse natural environment, vote Green.
Vote Green for the world we want our children to inherit.”
Daniella Vickerstaff – Cheadle & checkley (County) – Cheadle South East (district)
“Standing for the Green Party is very important to me as they are a party to change the stilted system as it exists at the moment. To look at issues with the longer view – removing services in Cheadle for leisure and the hospital will only leave us all worse off. Not only for the loss of services at a local level but from an environmental aspect, we will all have to travel further to access the same services. The consolidation of services may make things cheaper but for whom? The Green Party is asking these questions, and holding elected officials to their promises for you. We need a Green Party voice to speak for you in Stafford – not more of the same from the Tories. “
Ian waite – Biddulph North
“It’s time , more than time, for action and not just warm words and vague promises. We need to look for and find new ways to do things that bring new jobs, more diversity in nature, better housing, safer roads and make Staffordshire a cleaner, more thriving place for everyone. Residents of Staffordshire have ideas and energy. Let’s listen and draw the community in to shape a green future together. This is why I am standing for the Green Party – to push for this to happen.”
Andrew Sharrock – Caverswall (county)
“As a father of two young children, I feel a responsibility to ensure we safeguard our world for future generations, safeguarding the environment whilst addressing inequality in society. For me at a local level we can make meaningful improvements to people’s lives whilst changing perspectives and providing people with an alternative for the future. We have seen hardly any progress from the Conservative-led County Council since it declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 – we need action now, not more empty talk. In a rural area like Caverswall, we need to work with our local farming community on how we can ensure good stewardship of our environment, while making plans for the effects of climate change.”
Dan mayers – Cheadle North east (district)
“We need new thinking at the District Council – the old ways have not worked and there needs to be more transparency at Moorlands House. The people of Cheadle need a strong voice, not just more of the same. The Green Party believes in more power to our communities, and the council should be listening to what Cheadle people want – keep the Leisure Centre and Cheadle hospital open.”