Six candidates are standing in Fleetwood East and five in Fleetwood West and Cleveleys West next week, on Thursday May 6.
We hear from them all, in their own words.
The count takes place on May 8
1.
Lorraine Beavers (Labour Party, Fleetwood East):
"Born and bred in Fleetwood, I will always stand with the people of our town.
Many of you will know me through my Council work.
The Labour team have delivered FREE swimming for Fleetwood children, FREE tram travel for NoW card users, helped to save our museum and successfully campaigned for the reopening of our swimming pool.
If Labour gain control at County Hall on May 6 we will stop the council proposal to install parking meters on Fleetwood promenade.
I promise to continue fighting for our rail link and for real investment into our wonderful town."
2.
Gerald Blaikie, (Liberal Democrats, Fleetwood East):
"My name is Gerry Blaikie, I have been married for 45 years and we have five grandchildren.
I retired from Lancashire County Council 4 years ago, where I drove a mobile library van around North Lancashire serving
schools, sheltered housing, nursing homes, and rural villages.
I’m active in my local church and during the pandemic I’ve been volunteering at Morecambe foodbank.
The Liberal Democrats have three big issues.
One, fixing our broken roads with capital investment of £15 million. Two,
delivering real action on the climate emergency. Three, protecting our
public services and giving taxpayers the best value for money."
3.
Brian Crawford, (Independent; supported by Wyre Alliance, Fleetwood East):
"I was born in Fleetwood, my parents ran a shop in Church Street.
I attended Blakiston, Milton and Fleetwood Grammar schools and worked on Fleetwood Fish Dock, Railway Engine Sheds, ICI.
I’m ex-Army, serving with the Royal Engineers on landing craft in Aden and Bahrain.
After graduating from the University of Sussex I was a secondary school science teacher for 30 years.
I am an ex-Cumbria County councillor and town councillor for Millom.
Currently I’m a Fleetwood town councillor for Warren ward and the council’s Armed Forces Champion.
I’m a member of the Friends of Fleetwood Museum and Fleetwood Civic Society, and Shakespeare Junior School Governors Vice-Chairman."
4.
Susan Hunt (Conservative, Fleetwood East_): "I am standing in Fleetwood East because over the years I have become very fond of Fleetwood. I have many friends in the town and as a football fan I have attended many Fleetwood Town matches to the annoyance of my friends who follow the Blackpool team. I am agent for the Lancaster and Fleetwood Constituency and over the years, especially with Eric Ollerenshaw, have spent many happy days canvassing in Fleetwood. If elected I would hope to have local surgeries spanning the three wards in the County Division so local residents can contact me personally with any problems they may have."
5.
Michael Pickton (Green Party, Fleetwood East):
“I am an optician, in the health care industry.I am proud to say I have lived in Fleetwood most of my life. I am also proud to be a member of the Green Party and I believe our values and policies could have a positive impact on the town. Policies for affordable and retrofitted houses, for clean energy and clean air, investing in public transport and giving power to local authorities to address public transport issues. Environmental and social justice issues impact our current and future lives locally and nationally, and I believe the Green Party will put the public and communities first. “
6.
Paul Sandham (Reform UK, Fleetwood East):
"I’m a Fleetwood man who has been involved in many occupations, currently working as skipper on a 20 metre windfarm catamaran out of Fleetwood, working on Burbo and Walney farms.
I’m a strong advocate for mental health and supporting people with varying issues such as substance abuse, family breakdown, and many other factors.
I have children and want a future area that’s has potential,
We need a rail link and jobs, sensible public transport, connecting business sites to housing estates, better spending by authorities giving more value to the taxpayer, it’s our money as taxpayers rather the councils’.
When you’re spending other people’s money it’s easy to throw it around."