Labour in B&NES have thought ahead to next year by selecting their candidates for the local elections in 2015, following a number of rounds of selection meetings.
Following the first of two rounds of selection meetings at the weekend the Party now not only have their parliamentary candidates in place, Todd Foreman for North East Somerset and Ollie Middleton for Bath, but seventeen of their candidates for next year’s local elections.
Todd Foreman, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for NE Somerset in 2015 said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Labour has in place a strong and diverse team of candidates following this first round of selections ahead of next year’s B&NES Council elections.
“Labour’s Council candidates are drawn from all walks of life in Bath and North East Somerset and we will work for stronger public services and opportunity for the many, not just a privileged few, both through the services that the Council provides and through a change of Government nationally.
“The Council elections and the general election will be held on the same day, and I’m looking forward to standing in the election as part of a team.”
Councillor John Bull, Leader of the Labour Group on Bath & North East Somerset council added: “I am delighted that such a strong group of Labour candidates has come forward for Bath and NE Somerset who will all contribute in major ways to making a difference in our locality.”
Tony Crouch, selected for Keynsham South having defected from the Liberal Democrats last year, also commented: “I was far from happy when after the 2010 General Election the Lib Dems went into a coalition with the Conservatives, a party I had been fighting against for more than 30 years.
“Increasingly I saw more and more decisions I couldn’t accept not least the about turn on a promise to provide free tuition fees for students.
“In 2011 local elections the Lib Dems campaigned against the redevelopment of Keynsham Town Centre which I strongly believed in.
“Then when the Lib Dems took control of B&NES they started to develop cuts in things such as Children’s Centres and Advice services which were more and more in demand because of other cuts and the state of the economy.
“It is not easy to decide to leave a political party after 30 years but the local Labour Party have their priorities in order and know clearly what they want to do for our area. I am proud to be standing with the Labour team for 2015.”