Liberal Democrats: 'Why people of Hartlepool should vote for us on Thursday'
With council elections just around the corner, we're shining a spotlight on the parties standing candidates in Hartlepool, to give them a chance to make their case to residents.
Voters are due to head to polling stations on Thursday, May 7, to have their say on who should represent them on Hartlepool Borough Council.
One seat is up for grabs in each of the area’s 12 wards, and a total of 57 candidates are standing across the borough.
All parties fielding contenders, along with the independents hoping to be elected, have been given the opportunity to tell readers why you should vote for them.
Here’s what Connor Stallard, Liberal Democrat hopeful for Foggy Furze, who have candidates standing in six wards, had to say:
“Since 2024, we have had a Labour council. They have had two years of not just running the council, but also running the country – and residents are feeling no better off.
“This May’s elections are a once in a generation opportunity for real change for our area – and the Lib Dems are offering a real chance for real change.
“The Liberal Democrats have exposed the council’s failures on fly-tippers, which have seen sky-high rates of waste (there were 3,040 reports of fly-tipping in 2023/24, according to government and council data) dumped across our communities – with taxpayers left to foot the bill as only a small number of fly-tipping criminals have faced fines.
“We’ve also been calling for safer roads across the area, such as in my ward where we have been calling for a review of the safety of the A689 – given the number of accidents we have seen there.
“We’re ready to deliver for our communities, being visible local champions that will work hard all-year-round, not just at election time.
“It’s time for something different, and only the Liberal Democrats offer a strong vision for Hartlepool’s future, calling for a fair deal for our town and delivering it with sensible, community-led politics.”