Meet the parliamentary candidates standing in Stoke-on-Trent South
There are seven 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:
Michael Bailey (Reform UK)
"I am deeply troubled by the current levels of immigration in terms of the burden it is placing on our small island, its services and infrastructure. I don't hold with the idea that we need to keep bringing more and more people here, simply to generate more money, as I don't think that is necessarily the outcome.
"On leaving the RAF, I settled in Stafford and later in Fenton, and once worked for a refrigeration company in Hanley, also an Air Handling Unit manufacturer, based on Shelton Old Hall Road, Stoke before becoming self employed. I have worked for myself in and around the north and centre of the county for the past 35 odd years.
"I no longer live in the city, sadly I was driven out by crime. My business premise and vehicle were being regularly broken into, and a business simply cannot survive under those conditions. So I looked to rent a property in a countryside setting, just outside Eccleshall. Regardless, Stoke is still my city, and I have a strong desire to be of service to the people of South Stoke, if elected I would immediately focus on reducing the drug problems in the city.
"I am standing for Parliament because I want my grandchildren to enjoy and feel the same freedom that I felt growing up as a child, benefitting from living in a society that is basically decent, honest, and caring and in which you feel safe.
"There is no need to scare people constantly. We should be treated as grownups, able to think for ourselves and to be allowed to be happy on a daily basis. We should be led by people who want the best for us, and don't believe the best way to rule us, is through division and fear.
"Above all I want leaders who are patriotic, and not simply self serving, until these are in place, I fear for the future of western civilization."
Jack Brereton (Conservative)
"For seven years it's been an honour to represent the area I'm from, have lived my whole life, and now live with my young family.
"My mission is to keep improving our area, securing yet more investment that works for local people. We've delivered record levels of funding to improve our local transport, deliver regeneration and secure better local opportunities. But there is more to do, like progressing the new NHS integrated healthcare hub.
"I helped win major Government investment to regenerate town centre heritage sites like Tams Crown Works in Longton, with work underway. There's £56m from the Levelling Up Fund and £20m Levelling Up Partnership funding focused on our town centres.
"I led efforts cancelling HS2 through Staffordshire, sparing our villages from construction chaos and releasing investment to be spent locally: reopening Meir Station, the Stoke-Leek Line, M6 Junction 15 and the A50/A500 upgrades. In addition, it releases £419 million to be spent locally on fixing our roads, restoring bus services and improving local rail services.
"I've secured new funding to help deter crime. My actions triggered a review to upgrade the evil drug 'monkey dust' to Class A, helping drive this scourge off our streets.
"We've created thousands of new apprenticeships across North Staffordshire and 500 new skilled Home Office jobs. I will keep supporting employers to create more high-wage, high-skill jobs, especially in manufacturing, taking full advantage of our Brexit freedoms to boost global exports of fantastic local products.
"I'll keep pushing for the toughest possible action to tackle illegal migration and stop the boats. Proper deterrence with the Rwanda scheme and more detention facilities - not hotels. Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire have done our share.
"Now we must focus on local jobs, local transport, local opportunities, our local NHS and our local communities, these are my priorities."
Allison Gardener (Labour)
"I'm proud to be standing as your Labour Candidate for Stoke-on-Trent South at the upcoming general election. I live locally and work for our NHS, advising on new technologies to make the NHS fit for the future.
"Growing up, my mum worked in factories and my dad served in the Royal Navy. I'm proud of my upbringing and proud to live in Stoke-on-Trent. I worked as a scientist and a teacher, before starting my role in the NHS.
"After 14 years of Conservative government, our public services have been pushed to the brink, nothing works as it should. I have been out on the doors speaking to local residents for months, and people consistently tell me that something has to change.
"The Labour party has changed. From day one, as your MP and part of a Labour government, I will get to work on our first steps for real change.
"We will deliver economic stability with tough spending rules to keep taxes, inflation, mortgages and rents low. We will cut NHS waiting times with 40,000 new appointments each week – ending the 8am scramble to see your GP, paid for by cracking down on tax avoidance. We will launch a new Border Security Command to strengthen our borders and end the tragedy of small boat crossings. We will set up Great British Energy to cut bills and boost energy security. We'll recruit 13,000 more police to crack-down on crime and anti-social behaviour. We'll recruit 6,500 new teachers to improve education and expand apprenticeship schemes, to improve opportunity for all.
"In Stoke-on-Trent South, only a vote for Labour will deliver the change we need across our city, our villages and rural areas, and across the country."
Asif Mehmood (Independent)
We have not received a response from Asif Mehmood, but a poster online reveals that his main priorities are:
- Cost of living crisis
- Jobs and investment
- Quality education
- Crime and drugs
- Protecting the NHS
- Improving roads and infrastructure
- Justice for all
Carla Parrish (Independent)
"I know what poverty is like – I grew up on what was then the second largest Council Housing Estate in Europe at Bentilee. NEVER in my life have I witnessed so much homelessness, fuel and food poverty and despair for both now and the future. I also spent time at my step fathers in Baddeley Green as a young girl.
"After leaving school at 16 I studied for OND in Technology at the then SOT Technical College, Burslem.
"I have always worked hard and despite taking the plunge to become self-employed in 1993, over 30 years ago, I like many other business owners class myself as a worker. Some weeks working until midnight and 7 days a week. Many years without a holiday.
"As an adult I lived for many years on the border of Stoke North and South Constituencies at Northwood then Birches Head. I feel that the people of Stoke and surrounding areas have been betrayed and 'gaslit' by mainly the Tory Party and Labour who have proved to be no credible opposition.
"In fact they have now become indistinguishable with conservative MP's still crossing the floor to Labour. The two leaders Sunak and Starmer are both WEF puppets like, sadly, are many MP's who are following Agenda's and Narratives of their Globalist masters.
If elected I will do my very best to:
- Push for affordable housing for everyone and end homelessness.
- Stop funding others wars and supplying arms for the genocide of innocent babies, children and mothers and use this money for the good of our people.
- Provide more support to ensure people are not cold or hungry especially for our vulnerable in society especially the elderly and children with free meals.
- End uncontrolled mass immigration which drives down wages and rates of pay."
Alec Sandiford (Lib Dem)
"As a Stafford Borough Councillor for the Fulford Ward, I live in Blythe Bridge with my wife and children. Serving residents in our community means a great deal to me, and I take immense pride in addressing and resolving the issues people face.
"Unlike many elected representatives, I stay in regular contact with residents, working diligently every day, not just near elections. I firmly believe voters deserve more than fleeting attention; when you are elected, you serve the residents, not the other way around.
"In this election, voters have a choice: continue voting for the same old parties where Conservatives and Labour take voters for granted, or choose someone like me who works hard, treats all residents equally, and has a proven track record of getting things done. For too long, the good people of Stoke South have supported the two main parties, leading to stagnation. Our community deserves better.
"If elected, I promise to fight for our constituency's fair share of funding, improve public services and transport, and be a local champion for rural communities. These areas need a voice and someone who will fight for them.
"What I can guarantee is that, unlike the other candidates, I will be truly independent. I will not vote against residents' interests out of fear of upsetting party leaders. I will always do what is right and principled."
Peggy Wiseman (Green)
We have not received a response from Peggy Wiseman, but a statement on the Green Party website says: "Millions of people in our country are feeling insecure and deeply worried about the future.
"We live in one of the richest countries on the planet, yet nurses are using food banks, our children's schools are crumbling, a roof over our heads is all too often unaffordable, and hospital and dentist appointments are like gold dust.
"Meanwhile, the climate emergency continues to accelerate. Scientists warn that we are currently on track for global temperatures to rise by at least 2.5°C, far beyond levels at which humanity can safely survive.
"Our promise to you is that all this can change. We can create a greener, fairer country together – one in which we are all safer, happier and more fulfilled.
"It will take MPs prepared to make brave, principled choices on your behalf. And it will take the kinds of policies set out in this manifesto, for which elected Green MPs will fight hard every single day for you.
"Voting Green on 4th July is your way of showing you believe a fairer, greener world is possible – and is worth fighting for."
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READ MORE: Meet the parliamentary candidates standing in Stoke-on-Trent Central
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