Worcester Election 2019: Bedwardine

Bedwardine - one of the city’s biggest wards in terms of size and population - has been strongly Conservative in recent years reflected by both Bill Amos and his brother Alan Amos – who was elected with a majority of more than 400 in 2016 – holding both seats alongside Councillor Marc Bayliss.

Cllr Bayliss, the current leader of Worcester City Council, would be hoping to see a repeat of the election in Bedwardine in 2015 which saw him fight off six other candidates to the finish line polling 2,197 votes – almost 1,000 votes ahead of Labour.

Leisa Taylor returns as candidate for the recently formed Women’s Equality Party having received 158 votes standing in the same ward one year ago.

Mike Mullins also returns as the Liberal Democrat candidate having received 158 votes in 2018 and having clocked 227 votes in 2016 and 261 votes in 2015.

Labour’s Sue Smith is hoping to topple the strong Conservative grip on Bedwardine with the party the only one to get close to the Conservative share of the vote – but still behind by more than 400 votes in two of the last three elections and 600 votes in 2017’s by-election.

Claire Nichols is standing as candidate for the Greens having seen the party receive votes in the mid-100s in recent elections.

John Beacham stands for UKIP again having done so in 2018 where he received 75 votes.

MARC BAYLISS (CONSERVATIVE)

It has been my honour to be your local councillor for the last eight years. During that time I have championed key projects including renewing the entire CCTV network, building the new swimming pool, freezing car parking charges and winning the money to dual the Southern Link Road from Powick to the M5.

While there’s much to celebrate about Worcester, we still need a Conservative city council to tackle congestion, nuisance parking, protect greenspaces, campaign for further road improvements, bus and cycle networks; and keep our city clean, green and safe.

As leader of the council I have ensured our community and its needs are at the heart of decision making. Please use your vote on May 2 to enable me to continue to speak up for Bedwardine’s interests at the Guildhall.

JOHN BEACHAM (UKIP)

I'm born and bred in Bedwardine, raising my family after a career as a builder.

I love my city but am tired of the way the area west of the river is neglected.

The university needs funding but St John’s, Bedwardine and St Clement are so much more than just that.

Infrastructure investment is needed as a priority in the St John’s shopping area, to ensure it is not just a rat run for those passing through.

A river bridge north of Worcester would allow traffic to flow properly around the city.

This would enable St John's to be properly opened up as a shopping and meeting area, to create jobs and consumer confidence.

Repairs to roads and paths would then have a direct purpose and encourage local confidence.

A vote for me is a vote for common sense and straight talking. I will act and vote only in the interests of my constituents of Bedwardine.

MIKE MULLINS (LIBERAL DEMOCRAT)

I have lived in Bedwardine for more than 30 years. I think it’s a great place to live and work, but needs improvement. I was a design engineer but now volunteer for several charities.

My priorities are to attract more high tech jobs into the area and improve the central area of St Johns.

Some parts in the shopping area are run down and ugly. The Smoke Stack pub and cinema have been derelict for more than 20 years and form a continuing eyesore.

I would try to ease congestion in St Johns, improve pavements and repair potholes.

I would try and protect the dwindling green open spaces which need to be carefully managed to prevent overdevelopment.

I think it is vital to preserve local government and resist any further government cuts.

CLAIRE NICHOLS (GREEN)

I have lived in Worcester for more than 20 years, although originally from Liverpool.

I have two grown-up children and I am a self-employed consultant working in communications.

The reason I got involved in the Green Party locally was that I saw how committed they were to local issues.

I strongly support their efforts on transport, particularly the emphasis on making it easier to move around the city without having to use a car.

Worcester suffers from major traffic congestion and poor air quality and the Green Party has put forward sensible policies to try to address this.

The Green Party is also very supportive of the proposed pedestrian bridge in the north of the city, which I think would be of real benefit to local people.

SUE SMITH (LABOUR)

I have lived in the heart of Bedwardine for 30 years. I love living here and I want to secure the very best for the residents of Bedwardine.

I will listen to you, my neighbours, and represent local concerns effectively with my knowledge as a local resident.

If I am elected, I will campaign for lower speed limits on our residential streets and I will campaign for the ring road to be completed to take traffic away from our main roads which are often congested.

St John’s library is currently under threat. It is used by Bedwardine residents so I would join the campaign to keep the library open, fight the cuts and protect a much-needed local resource.

A vote for me will be a vote for a local Labour voice in Bedwardine.

LEISA TAYLOR (WOMEN’S EQUALITY PARTY)

I am a youth worker and I have lived in Worcester for 25 years.

I am a proud mother, an active member of the community and I am committed to supporting under-represented groups in the city.

Less than a quarter of the council’s representatives are currently women so our voices are not equally heard in the decisions the council makes.

I will bring a much-needed perspective to the council, particularly on funding for community spaces, cuts to services and the needs of marginalized groups in Worcester.

I’m also passionate about putting local politics back into the hands of the community, who have lost faith in the current political system.

I know we can do so much better.