Meet the parliamentary candidates standing in Stoke-on-Trent Central
By Sarah Garner
12th Jun 2024 | General Election 2024
There are eight parliamentary candidates standing in the Stoke-on-Trent Central constituency; we asked them to provide around 300 words about why people should vote for them.
Here is what each candidate told us:
Adam Colclough (Green Party)
"I am Stoke-on-Trent, born and bred, and have seen how the city has been damaged by the policies of successive governments. We see this all around us in levels of deprivation that are amongst some of the highest in the country.
"The solution is not to be found in mainstream parties that have become almost indistinguishable in their attempt to capture a mythical centre ground. We need a new approach to politics, one that addresses the challenges posed social inequality and climate change. That seeks to rebuild our public services and improve the quality of life of all citizens.
"Locally, we need to be fighting for improvements to public transport and investment in the green jobs that will power the economy of tomorrow.
"These are things I am committed to fighting for, not just as a candidate for political office but as someone who is proud to be from Stoke."
Alirom Alirom (Independent)
"As a local businessman and proud candidate for Member of Parliament representing Stoke-on-Trent Central, I am deeply committed to our community's growth, well-being, and prosperity. With a strong background in business and community engagement, I understand the unique challenges and immense potential of our region.
"Stoke-on-Trent Central has a rich heritage and a vibrant community spirit. However, we face pressing issues that require immediate attention. My focus is on revitalising our local economy, improving public services, and ensuring every resident has the opportunity to thrive. I am dedicated to:
"City Center Regeneration: Transforming our city center into a bustling hub of activity and commerce. By supporting local businesses and attracting new investments, we can create a vibrant, thriving heart for our community.
"Economic Development: Leveraging my business experience to support local businesses, attract investments, and create jobs. By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, we can build a sustainable future.
"Healthcare and Education: Ensuring accessible, high-quality healthcare services and schools for all. Every resident deserves the best medical care and educational opportunities.
"Community Safety: Enhancing safety through effective policing and community programs. By working together, we can reduce crime and create a secure environment for families.
"Victim Support Services: Strengthening support services for victims of crime. By enhancing resources and assistance programs, we can ensure that all victims receive the care and support they need to recover and rebuild their lives.
"Infrastructure and Housing: Investing in projects that improve transportation, housing, and public spaces. Better roads, affordable housing, and green spaces are essential for a high quality of life.
"A Voice for the People: My candidacy is about listening to and representing the diverse voices of Stoke-on-Trent Central. I am committed to being a responsive and accessible MP who engages with residents, understands their concerns, and advocates for their needs in Parliament.
"I invite all residents of Stoke-on-Trent Central to join me in this journey towards a brighter future. Together, we can create positive change and build a thriving community. Your support and vote are crucial in making our shared vision a reality."
Navid Kaleem (Independent)
"As a local resident, I am committed to our community's well-being and growth, the war in Gaza has exposed the loyalties of our leaders. The two mainstream parties are indistinguishable in their commitment to wars, austerity, corruption and entitlement to power.
"I believe in the sanctity of life, values of justice, equality and dignity. We have been left behind here in Stoke-on-Trent Central and deserve a better representative who is sincere and capable. My concerns are crime and drug dealing, education, a decimated town centre, the NHS, poor infrastructure and roads. Born and bred in Stoke I am proud to be an integral part of the community.
"I have spent the last 15 years as a pharmacist looking after the community in Shelton and Hanley. I am a graduate trainer and encourage children into healthcare roles. I am heavily involved in charities and humanitarian work both locally and internationally.
"My priorities as MP are strong on Drugs and Crime. Urgent reforms in rehab to ensure a safer society for all, fearlessly advocating to improve health and education services and being a strong voice to address the concerns of residents.
"Nowhere is the link between corruption and cruelty more clear than in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. I join people of conscience who are sensible and fair in calling for an end to the genocide and occupation of the Palestinian people.
"The people of Stoke-on-Trent Central have a rare opportunity. A vote for Labour or Conservative is a vote for the status quo and politics as usual that has dominated our lives for the past 14 years.
"What we do with our vote can help change our future and our children's future for the better, we will show that we can build a new kind of political life. Our campaign is focused on community, the answer to our problems will come from us."
Chandra Kanneganti (Conservative)
"Arriving in the UK as a newly qualified doctor in April 2002, with just £1,000 in my pocket, I relied on discounted food and the generosity of the people I met to get by before getting my first job in the NHS, later becoming a GP in Stoke-on-Trent in 2006. My own personal experience, and the experiences of others I have witnessed first-hand as a GP has highlighted the direct impact of health and social inequalities in Stoke-on-Trent.
"As local GP leader, I have been making sure Stoke-on-Trent gets its fair deal of funding and have clear actions by local ICS to reduce NHS backlog. Having worked at Foden Street Surgery, Hanley, Shelton and currently working at Middleport and Goldenhill, I always worked hard locally to provide high quality care which is evident with my practice's always in the top 5 in National Patient GP survey.
"My priorities for Stoke-on-Trent Central:
- Creating new high-skilled, high-wage jobs for a healthier future.
- Drive-down NHS waiting lists and provide faster access to the essential tests patients desperately need. Brand new community diagnostic centre has already been developed in Hanley.
- Campaign to re-classify monkey dust drug as a Class A drug, bringing the harshest possible sentences to those who make and distribute the drug.
- Fixing our broken roads and pavements.
- Reducing crime and antisocial behaviour.
- Increasing High Street footfall.
- Better access to public transport facilities.
- More opportunities for young people to gain skills needed.
- Work towards stronger economy, reduced borrowing and lower mortgage rates.
"Stoke-on-Trent residents gave me opportunity to be their GP and their councillor and many of them treated me as their friend and extended member of their family. I wish to repay them their gratitude with my hard work as their MP."
Laura McCarthy (Lib Dem)
"As a mother of young children, I want them to have the best possible start in life. Good schools, food on the table, access to a doctor or dentist if needed. These are basic human rights. Except, I volunteer to fundraise at my children's school as they can't afford the basics such as play equipment or books.
"As a local Councillor I have requested more food parcels than I can count because so many people just can't afford food these days.
"When my baby daughter was poorly recently I spent two days trying to get a GP appointment, before in the end giving up and walking into hospital to get her the antibiotics she needed. I can't find an NHS dentist that will accept her or her 4 year old brother as there just aren't enough dentists.
"Our government has let us down badly. Nobody should have to choose between heating and eating.
"As a Councillor I have fought over the years for more police on our streets, a review of infant formula pricing, and for more cost of living support so that nobody should have to choose between heating and eating. I am standing for election for Parliament so that I can continue that fight on a wider scale.
"You deserve better. You deserve a fair deal. If elected, I would work hard to get that for you. Make your voice heard on July 4th."
Andy Polshaw (Independent)
"I'm Andy Polshaw. I'm a community activist who moved to Stoke 30 years ago and made it my home. I love the city and its people, but I've seen it decline. I used to be active in the Labour Party, but I left when I saw how self-serving and dishonest our political system can be. There are whole communities in this City let down by Labour and Conservatives. We need something different, and we should send a message to parliament that they cease to represent us.
"I am standing as an independent, but I want to promote an idea and a party. A Potteries Party where you cannot sit as an MP for longer than 2 terms and only sit in North Staffordshire constituencies. Where their residents' needs are their first priorities and not the needs of the Party. The Party's sole purpose would be to enable residents to represent themselves and their neighbourhoods.
"This is how I want to operate and how I'd like all our elected representatives to operate. My five key issues are:
- A different political system - proportional representation would be good starting point
- Heritage and the Environment – improve our roads, streets, green spaces and heritage buildings
- Health Conditions and Carers – so many of us cannot work because of ill health or care for those who cannot. I want them supported
- Education – Stop OFSTED and constant examination. Free school meals
- Miners' pensions and justice – Restore the missing half of their pensions and provide justice for those wrongly dealt criminal records
"It's not about the red or the blue, it's about the people next to you."
Luke Shenton (Reform UK)
"I was born in Stoke on Trent and currently live within the constituency. At the age of 16 I joined the army and served for nearly 7 years. During this time, I was based in Germany and around various parts of the UK, as well as doing a short tour in Afghanistan in 2014.
"After I left the army in 2018, I moved back to the area of Stoke-on-Trent. I then worked at a variety of jobs, including food, retail and sales. As you can see from the variety of my past work experiences, I am by no means like one of the many career politicians we see today.
"For a long time, like many, I was politically homeless, and I have watched from the side-lines as the two main parties have destroyed this great country. I came to a decision that I needed to do something about it. Reform UK's common-sense policies put this country's interest first, instead of those of the self-serving politicians we have become used to.
"Stoke-on-Trent has been let down for far too long and is desperately in need of something new. I am standing for Reform UK to show the people of Stoke-on-Trent that there is a real alternative, and you no longer need to vote for more of the same.
"If you want change, you have to vote for it. "
Gareth Snell (Labour)
"I am asking people to lend me their vote on July 4th because our city deserves so much better than what we've had under 14 years of Conservative governments. Everything is broken and we need someone who is in our corner fighting for Stoke-on-Trent.
"In our city NHS waiting times are the highest on record, we don't have an accessible police station, crime is rising, we don't have enough buses and it's almost impossible to see an NHS Dentist. And nationally nothing is working either - illegal immigration is at a record high, our economy has flatlined and our Army is at its smallest level for over 200 years.
"All while we're paying more tax than ever before.
"We deserve so much better than this.
"I can't promise you that I can fix everything overnight but what I can promise you is that you'll have someone on your side. Someone who lives in the constituency with their family, who uses the same public services that you do, who shops in the same town centres, who is proud of the Potteries. Someone who has a vision for how much better our city could be.
"I know how difficult life has been in the last few years for too many of us. Everything is more expensive than it was. Mortgage rates have quadrupled, rents are through the roof and we're paying more for less.
"But it doesn't have to be this way.
"The Labour Party has a plan to rebuild our country, to stabilise the economy and drive economic growth, to fix our NHS and invest in our schools and to finally tackle the illegal immigration which has been ignored for 14 years.
"If you vote Labour, if you vote for Change, I will do everything I can to deliver for you and your family as we rebuild our city so that we all have a better future."
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READ MORE: General Election 2024: Parliamentary candidates in each Stoke-on-Trent constituency
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