Meet Left Unity’s local election candidates

As a new party, Left Unity is taking its first steps into the elections with candidates in Wigan, Norwich, Barnet (north London), Bolton and Exeter. Here is some information about them.

Wigan

Adele Andrews (Pemberton ward) is a shop worker, Wigan Diggers’ festival committee member, and a campaigner against the cuts, Atos and the privatisation of the NHS. She has also been involved in fighting fracking and zero hours contracts, and made the national newspapers protesting against David Cameron’s visit to Wigan last year.

Stuart Bolton (Aspull, New Springs & Whelley ward) is a retired Bakers’ Union member and former Hovis worker who, amongst other things, is involved in the fight against low pay and zero hours contracts via BFAWU and the Fast Food Rights campaign. He is a Wigan Trades Council member and is opposed to cuts and privatisation of the NHS and other public services.

Hazel Duffy (Wigan West ward) is a lab technician, a Unison member, Beech Hill Bookcycle volunteer, and a fast food rights and NHS campaigner. She has also been involved in the Wigan Diggers’ Festival committee for three years, was a picket during the Hovis strike, and is anti-fracking activist.

Stephen Hall (Atherleigh ward) is a graphic designer and printer, who as well as being a long-standing community activist, green socialist, NHS, local school and environmental campaigner, is also chair of Leigh Unite the Union branch and President of Greater Manchester Association of Trades Union Councils.

Ian Heyes (Hindley ward) is a local joiner, who has been active in the campaign against cuts and privatisation of the NHS, and in opposing the spread of fracking. He is secretary of Leigh Unite the Union branch, a member of Wigan Trades Council, Wigan Diggers’ Festival Committee and a lifelong socialist and trade union activist.

Janet Phillips (Ince ward) is a Hovis canteen worker and Bakers’ Union member, opposed to zero hours contracts and cuts in public services. She is a strong opponent of racism and fascism, and thinks our councillors should be fighting the cuts, not implementing them.

Craig Wilson (Atherton ward) is an Atherton community centre volunteer, ‘Barton Moss protector’ and anti-fracking activist who is against the guided busway development from Leigh, Atherton & Tyldesley to Manchester and would like to see proper railway services instead.

If you live in the north of England, can you help the Wigan campaign? Email stevechik@talktalk.net

Norwich

Karen Michael (Sewell ward) was a member of the Labour Party until she went to a council meeting and listened to Labour Party councillors insult people who were having problems paying their bedroom tax, and found that the local Labour parliamentary candidate is in favour of NHS privatisation. She now thinks the Tories, Labour and Lib Dems really have the same views and it’s time for a new face in politics.

Julian Bell (Crome ward) says he wants to “press the reset button” as the mainstream political parties have all blurred into one, and stand for an alternative based on tackling inequality and massive wealth accumulation in the financial system.

Barnet

Philip Clayton (Oakleigh ward) is a chef and a single parent. He stood in the last general election in protest at his local Tory MP Theresa ‘Two Villas’ Villiers trousering nearly £50,000 of public money to buy a flat in Pimlico when her house is 8 miles from Westminster – while himself being trapped in a private flat costing £250 a week.

Exeter

Dave Parks (Newtown ward) has been an active socialist and campaigner in Exeter for over 30 years, and is probably best known for his consistent anti-fascist work. He is a supporter of the Exeter Anti-Cuts Alliance and Exeter Unite Community, and has been part of campaigns against the closure of the Exeter Women’s Refuge and youth services across Devon.

Bolton

Eric Hyland (Tonge with The Haulgh ward) has lived in Bolton all his life and is now retired after working in airline cabin service for 25 years. He is standing because he strongly believes people are being let down by their elected representatives and it’s time for a change.