LABOUR is hoping to keep its strong grip on the city’s Nunnery ward in next month’s local elections - an area that has been a stronghold for the party in the last decade.

Other parties standing in Nunnery with the hope of prising the large and leafy division out of the control of the Labour Party may have their work cut out in what has proved to be an area of success for the people in red in recent years.

Nunnery has been represented by three Labour councillors on Worcester City Council since 2010 with the party’s candidates winning comfortably on several occasions.

Last time out in 2019, Simon Cronin was re-elected for Labour in the ward with 43 per cent of the vote and 242 votes ahead of the Conservatives.

There will, however, be a new face representing Nunnery regardless of the result following the decision by Tracey Biggs to not stand for re-election this time out.

Tracey Biggs was elected to represent Nunnery having claimed victory with almost 56 per cent of the vote in 2016 - 729 votes ahead of Tory candidate Phoenix Jones.

Labour has put forward Zoe Cookson as its candidate with Conservative candidate and former UKIP MEP Jim Carver, who is also standing for the Tories in the county council’s Rainbow Hill division, hoping to close the gap.

In city and county council elections, voters have consistently returned Labour councillors which may give some indication of where the victory will come in Nunnery this time round.

Clive Fletcher for the Liberal Democrats, who is also standing in Nunnery for a place on Worcestershire County Council, and Barbara Mitra for the Green Party, who has stood in the last five elections in Nunnery, have also put themselves forward

Carl Mason will be standing for an eighth time in Nunnery, this time for the far-right group British Resistance, in the five-way battle for the ward.

JIM CARVER (CONSERVATIVE)

“I live in Nunnery ward and served as your MEP until 2019. Like many self-employed, the pandemic badly affected my business. Therefore, I’ve helped locally as an NHS volunteer responder.

“Never afraid to speak my mind, my practical and common sense approach can help to be the powerful voice that is needed during the difficult times ahead.

“Like many, I voted Conservative for the first time in 2019. There’s much work ahead addressing the challenges created by the pandemic, not least the financial pressures on all levels of democracy and public service.

“Now more than ever, Nunnery needs a strong, experienced voice, championing our best interests. The problems with anti-social behaviour, speeding and parking will be my priority. I don’t bury my head in the sand.”

ZOE COOKSON (LABOUR)

“I have worked or lived in Worcester for over 20 years. I have worked at the city council tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and the county council leading on children’s centres, extended schools and healthy schools. Since then, I’ve worked on many different service improvement projects for the NHS. For seven years, I also taught an evening class at Heart of Worcestershire College.

“Nunnery ward is a great place to live, raise a family or enjoy retirement. If elected, I would work with the police to tackle anti-social behaviour, including speeding, campaign to develop vital community services at Ronkswood and Medway and protect the ward’s beautiful natural spaces and community play areas. I would support affordable housing for all whist also tackling congestion, pollution and parking.

"Most of all, I would listen to residents and act on their concerns.”

CLIVE FLETCHER (LIB DEM)

“Clive feels that he can, with the support of other Lib Dems, make a positive change to the life of people in the area. This would, for Nunnery in particular, be the promotion of better transport links, supporting economic regeneration and growth and ensuring that there is a full commitment to maintaining open, safe green spaces within the area.

“His main priorities are to give residents a voice on the council, be supportive of local business and industry, to improve local transport and a wider integrated system for all, to reduce waste and actively support policies that protect and preserve our environment, promote affordable housing and show a strong commitment towards the local health and care community, supporting policies and initiatives to ensure we get improved health care.”

CARL MASON (BRITISH RESISTANCE)

“I’m standing this year to campaign for much longer sentences for drug dealers plying their deadly trade in the city. I’ll be campaigning to get zero unemployment in Worcester by getting agencies and companies to employ British workers over cheap immigrant labour. Training will be given to people to attain employment. I’ll also campaign to stop non-UK residents applying for social housing and benefits before moving to Britain. I’ll campaign to get more government money spent here for the Worcester people, not as foreign aid to people who don’t deserve it. The woke, multicultural attack and rewriting of British history will be exposed. The British Resistance serves the people not the ruling global banking elites. Britain’s problems are caused by the politicians you still vote for.”

BARBARA MITRA (GREEN)

“I have lived in Worcester for 20 years and work at the University of Worcester. I believe in a caring, inclusive and democratic society which enables everyone to have fulfilling work, follow their interests, and interact with their local community.

“Having my own children - one with special needs including autism, epilepsy and PDA - means I understand the importance of supporting others to have rich and rewarding lives.

“Our democracy should be participatory and empowering for people to take an active and informed part in the decision-making processes that affect their lives. If elected, I will do all I can to be a voice for local people and local issues. I believe the Green Party is the only party that has the policies to make our society fairer.”