Chesterfield’s seven Parliamentary candidates for the General Election have been busy on the campaign trail and here is what some have been saying in an effort to attract votes and become the constituency’s MP.
The 2024 General Election is being fought nationally on the economy, immigration and the NHS among many other issues and voters will be able to cast their votes between 7am and 10pm, on July 4, at polling booths across Derbyshire and Chesterfield’s candidates have been outlining their hopes.
The previous term’s Labour Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins, who has represented Chesterfield and Staveley since 2010 and is the Shadow Minister for Nature and Rural Affairs, is standing again after Parliament was dissolved prior to the General Election.
Other candidates for the sought-after role of Chesterfield MP include Conservative Ben Flook, Liberal Democrat Ian Barfield, the Green Party’s David Wadsworth, Reform UK’s Dan Price, Chesterfield Independent Kris Stone and the Workers Party’s Julie Lowe.
Mr Perkins said: “The impact of fourteen years of Conservative Government can be seen wherever you look in Chesterfield and across Britain.
“If I am elected, for the first time under a Labour Government, I expect that Labour’s plans to cut NHS waiting times, tackle the special needs crisis in our schools and cut the cost of living will start making a difference straight away.
“I also believe Labour’s plans to bring rail back into public ownership, force water companies to clean up our rivers and seas, tackle the flood re-mediation scheme backlog, build renewable energy and grow our economy will all be welcomed by Chesterfield people.
“I’ve lived here all my adult life, so our town’s issues are my issues – the low growth we have suffered has had a terrible impact on council services, and voluntary sector funding so growth is crucial to boosting Chesterfield’s economy and town centre.”
Conservative candidate Ben Flook said: “Chesterfield has declined under decades of Labour MPs and Labour councils. That’s why more and more people are saying Chesterfield needs a fresh face as our MP.
“This Government has invested nearly £70m in Chesterfield and Staveley since 2021.
“As your MP, I’d focus on regenerating our town centre by working with traders to deliver two hours free parking, bringing back events like the Motorfestival and linking Riverside with the Market.
“I’d oppose inappropriate development on green spaces by introducing a ‘greenbelt lock’ to give people the final say over proposals to concrete over the greenbelt. And I’d cut congestion by working with Government to deliver the Staveley by-pass.
“Having been a teacher, I’d work with Headteachers to improve standards in Schools. And I’d work with the police to secure our fair share of Derbyshire’s 351 new police officers to cut crime. With a fresh face as our MP, Chesterfield can realise its potential.”
Liberal Democrat Ian Barfield said: “As Chesterfield’s MP, I would work towards a Chesterfield with a fairer and greener future.
“One where the Rother and Hipper are not used as open sewers and where Net Zero is not just a slogan. Where the town centre is thriving not closing down.
“Where the roads are fit for purpose and where the council does its job properly.
“In a fairer Chesterfield there would be no food banks. People would have easy access to both a GP and NHS dentist and mental health would be given the same priority as physical health.
“Social care for adults would be free in their own homes. Children with special needs should get prompt diagnosis and appropriate support and placements.
“All children should be able to look forward to a future free to make their own choices in a tolerant society. Including voting at 16, and without discrimination on grounds of sex, race or sexuality.”
The Green Party’s David Wadsworth said: “I both live and work in Chesterfield, and it depresses me to see how it has suffered under both Labour and Conservatives.
“Labour will win this election, however, a vote for me will send them the message that you want more than the minor changes they offer.
“I will work to protect nature, our green spaces and rivers and ensure safe, warm, affordable homes are available for everyone.
“Our NHS and Social Care service needs real investment to reverse 14 years of cuts to see new, clean hospitals and more NHS dentists.
“I’d encourage strong local businesses and great public transport to revive our town centre and I want to see people austerity has left behind given the chances they deserve instead of the contempt they’ve received.”
Reform UK’s Dan Price said: “Being ex-military, I’m used to carrying out orders to the letter. If elected I’ll carry out the orders of the constituents of Chesterfield, as your voice in Parliament.
“Being a businessman, I’m used to growing something from nothing with limited finances, no Government backing, going against bigger and better-equipped, better manned, more established competition, yet consistently doing well.
“Voting for me will mean you get a public servant who is disciplined, dedicated, loyal, will put Chesterfield first and above all will not waste taxpayers’ money on idol projects.
He added: “I too struggle to pay my rent, my council tax, or that yearly MOT for the family car. And like you, I’m seeing the cost of my family food shopping rise and rise.
“Enough is enough. The cost of living has not stopped going up and the state of the nation is a joke. Vote for me and I promise to dedicate myself to sorting out Chesterfield’s issues.”
Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Independent Kris Stone, of Newbold Moor, Chesterfield,is also running for both the Chesterfield Parliamentary seat and in a By-Election to become a councillor for Chesterfield Borough Council’s Spire Ward. Mr Stone could not be contacted.
Workers’ Party Julie Lowe said: “My immediate concern is the state of our NHS, Care and Dental services. I will call a borough-wide assembly of health and care professionals and patients to assess and then address the issues that we currently face.
“My second concern is the continued de-industrialisation and decline of our remarkable historic town. I will revive local business and incentivise shoppers by attracting independent traders to fill empty shops and support free resident’s parking.
“My third concern is homelessness and I will look to re-purpose empty properties, encourage social house building and discourage land banking within the borough.
“My fourth concern is the current state of our public services. I will call a borough-wide Citizen’s Assembly to ascertain the position, identify changes needed and then work towards delivering the results that residents desperately need.
“Lastly, but by no means least, I will work for an end to Genocide and a Free Palestine.”
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North East Derbyshire’s six Parliamentary candidates during the forthcoming General Election have been campaigning to become the constituency’s MP and here is what some have been saying to attract votes.
The 2024 General Election is being fought on the economy, immigration and the NHS among other issues and voters will be able to cast their votes on July 4 at polling booths across Derbyshire and North East Derbyshire’s candidates have been outlining their hopes.
North East Derbyshire Parliamentary candidates include Conservative Lee Rowley, who has represented the area as its MP since 2017 and has most recently been a Housing Minister.
Others also include Labour’s Louise Jones, Liberal Democrat Ross Shipman, the Green Party’s Frank Adlington-Stringer, Reform UK’s Andy Egginton, and Freedom Alliance’s Wesley Massumbukolt.
Conservative Mr Rowley said: “For the last seven years, my mission has been to get things done for North East Derbyshire.
“Whether it’s bringing the bank back to one of our high streets, winning funding for the new A&E at the Royal or securing £50m to improve Clay Cross and Staveley, I’ve always tried to put North East Derbyshire first.
“But there’s so much more to do. And that’s why our area needs an active MP to fight for it.
“We now need to focus on getting the two new train stations built, opening the new school in Wingerworth, regenerating Dronfield and Eckington and fighting to reduce congestion on Derby Road.
“It has been the privilege of my life to serve the residents of North East Derbyshire for the last seven years. I would love the opportunity to work for a further five. We’ve done so much together already – but we have so much more we can do.”
Labour’s Louise Jones, an Army veteran, said on her Labour Party website: “I have always believed in the importance of public service, that contributing to the greater good uplifts both ourselves and our communities. It’s what motivated me to join the Army – the chance to do something for my country.
“But incredibly, even as I deployed to Afghanistan, I saw the military being hollowed out around me under the Conservatives’ disastrous austerity policies.
“It’s the same story all around us with our other public services. When I’m speaking to voters on the doorsteps in North East Derbyshire, they’re telling me that they can’t get an NHS dentist appointment. That they can’t rely on their local bus. And that they’re worried about this week’s food shop.
“Well this isn’t the country I want. I know it’s not what you want. That’s why I’m standing for Labour because I know that we can be better, and get our future back.”
Liberal Democrat Ross Shipman said: “My offer to residents is one of hope for a different kind of politics, one grounded in liberal values and principles, and one of honesty and integrity.
“I have a proven track record of getting things done all across our towns and villages in North East Derbyshire, because I love this area, I want to see it do better, I want to create opportunities for our residents and make them proud.
“It would be an absolute honour and privilege to represent North East Derbyshire in Parliament, and finally put it on the map for all the right reasons.”
The Green Party’s Frank Adlington-Stringer, according to the Green Party website, has pushed NE Derbyshire District Council, as a district councillor, to be greener and fairer by leading discussions on all aspects of its service from plant-based catering to wild verges and public transport to biodiversity.
Mr Adlington-Stringer rose to prominence, according to the Green Party, when his motion calling on the Government to support a ceasefire in Gaza whilst the council works to tackle local discrimination and racism in the wake of the awful war was met with silence from council colleagues.
The Green Party claims it’s party is the only real alternative in North East Derbyshire and Mr Adlington-Stringer will again be taking his compassionate approach to politics door-to-door as he sets out ‘real hope and real change’ for North East Derbyshire.
Reform UK’s Andy Egginton has stated on the Refrom UK website: “I want a future for my Children and I despair at the state of our country and feel that something needs to change now or it will be too late?
“I feel the UK is coming to the point of no return and no matter what qualifications my children achieve I ask myself, where will they be able to use these qualifications?
“A brain drain is gathering pace and our doctors, nurses and professionals are being poached by other countries like Canada or Australia and people are selling businesses and moving abroad because they have had enough [of] the NHS in meltdown and police overwhelmed.”
He added: “Our low tax, net zero Immigration, cheap energy and zero waiting lists policies make Reform UK the only real alternative choice.”
Mr Egginton stated Reform is the only party to stop immigration and they will reform the public sector, scrap ‘nonsensical’ net-zero policies and deal with institutions like the BBC and the out-of-touch House of Lords.
Freedom Alliance candidate Wesley Massumbukolt has stated: “We are a new political wing. One of the people and not greedy bankers. One who questions the narrative and promote the values of free speech, not one of bi-partisanship as was shown since COVID.
“Volunteers run this party, people who are connected to the community, young and old, with a great vision of where we want to take this country. We are the real people’s party. We are the Freedom Alliance.”
