Next Elections

Local Council Elections - 3rd May 2012

Interested in becoming a Green councillor? Get in touch to find out more - candidates will need to be a member of the Green Party and to agree with our key policies and philosophy. You would also need to be prepared to work hard speaking to voters on the doorstep to get elected, and them commit to around 15-20 hours a week if elected as a councillor. Since we formed in 2008 we have always stood a full slate in all 21 wards in Trafford.

Candidates for the 2012 elections

Please click here to find out which ward you're in, if you're not sure (it's the Trafford Council website) and then enter your postcode. There are 21 wards in Trafford, each with 3 councillors. Each ward elects one councillor each election year. These are the wards, the candidates, and their reasons why they want your vote:

Altrincham - Debbie Leftwich

The major parties don’t seem to have policies that focus on the needs of local communities, and for me, that’s the advantage of the Green Party. Environmental issues impact on all of us, and the seemingly unstoppable development we have seen in Altrincham over recent years needs to be moderated. The result has been increased pollution, increased congestion and loss of open and green spaces. If elected I would fight hard to limit development on our parkland and green spaces, and to ensure that local people have a safe and pleasant environment they can enjoy. Vote Green!

Ashton upon Mersey - Joseph Westbrook 

In this age of austerity - and having lived most of my life in the borough of Trafford - I understand some of the difficulties that residents are now facing. I feel that the Green Party has an essential message for today and the future. Green ideals are not only very logical but also cost efficient. I understand that with the current deficit, some cuts need to be made but not at the expense of the public sector infrastructure and a health service which should be open to all, regardless of any ability to pay. If elected, I would work hard to support efficient but comprehensive public services and a deeper sense of community through the provision of good local libraries and public parks. I would want to encourage local entrepreneurs and small businesses and see them flourish whilst being wary of pandering to big business. I feel that it is important to keep hold of diversity in our shopping centres. As a keen cyclist, I would work to make our roads safe and encourage cycling across the borough.

Bowdon - Bridget Green

At a time of cuts it’s even more important to vote Green. Tight budgets make an easy excuse to stall on green policy yet it’s vitally important for all our futures. Green ideas will also save us money. What about reducing street-lighting in the middle of the night? Investment in free home insulation will create Trafford jobs as well as saving householders money, a proportion of which will then be spent in our town centres, boosting the local economy. A Green vote sends a clear message to our Council leader.

Broadheath - Sara Ahsan 

I'm standing for the Green Party because I am concerned about the impact my actions make on everyone and everything around me. We can't simply rely on others to make the world a better place, we have to think about what we can do. You can start by voting for the Green Party in Trafford.  

Brooklands - Dave Eatock

I have lived in the Broadheath Ward since 1994. Though having only recently joined the Green Party I have been a long time supporter and campaigner on environmental issues such as tackling pollution, promoting sustainable energy, protecting parks and open spaces, and ethical consumerism. I'm a member and supporter of Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Fair Trade, and I'm also locally active as chair of the Friends of Newton Park and committee member of the Riddings Hall Allotment Society. I currently manage a youth work project for the Broughton Trust in Salford.

My membership of the Green Party is based not only upon support for ‘green' issues, but on a wide range of other policies including the protection and improvement of our public services, from the NHS to your local post office, improving democracy and accountability of politicians, cutting energy costs, creating new jobs and making sure that no more public money is spent on botched privatization schemes.

Bucklow St Martins - Daniel Wadsworth

I am standing for the Green Party as I strongly support their beliefs and policies. It is important to respect people, wildlife and your environment. The Green Party can be a real force for change in politics.

Clifford - Anne Power

I am much rejuvenated in last 12 months due to our wonderful NHS, which is now under threat of privatisation (a process started by Labour, alas). By increasing Green votes everywhere we are making a protest against the Conservative Coalition and making local councillors look at what the Green Party is about. It has a full coherent policy of equality, sustainable economics and lifestyles. Time is running out for me but also the human race as we devour resources and pollute and waste so extravagantly. Happiness comes from healthy living and caring about each other locally and globally. VOTE GREEN.

Davyhulme East - Jennie Wadsworth

The Green Party is a real alternative to parties that have gone before, with many sensible alternative policies. I'm standing for the Green Party to offer that alternative to people in my local area. With an MP in Brighton, the Green Party will continue to challenge and help to shape government policies. We can be part of that at a local level.

Davyhulme West - Christine McLaughlin

Give the Green Party a voice on Trafford Council and we will defend our high streets and neighbourhood centres against the invasion of giant supermarkets. We will work for alternatives to traffic congestion and pollution and lay the foundations of a more sustainable way of life. We can no longer gamble with our planet's future: climate change must be tackled locally, nationally and globally. Let's work together to make the transition to sustainable living. Vote Green on 3rd May.

 

Flixton - Alison Cavanagh

I have been a Flixton resident for eight years and have bought up two children in the area. Becoming a mother really made me stop and think about the disrespectful way we treat our world, and since that time I have looked for ways to lessen my carbon footprint. I have recently started a local sustainable communiuty group - The Positive Flixton Project - and I'm working with residents to take small, practical steps to improve the local community. As a Nurse Lecturer, I also care passionately about health services in the local area and am most concerned about the Tory plans to privatise the NHS. Realistisically, the Green vote is the most postive choice an individual can make for a sustainable, brighter future.

 

Gorse Hill - Philip Leape

I was born and raised in this ward and therefore know it very well, together with many of its residents. I want to give a voice to everyone who lives here, whatever their background or concerns, and enable residents to get involved and be able to influence what goes on in their area.

 

Hale Barns - Sarah McIlroy

As a mother, the Green Party for me, is the only party that takes their work seriously when it comes to the making a safer and better environment and future for my children to grow up in. We have seen nothing effective with current councillors- so make a difference and vote Green.

 

Hale Central - Sam Little

The policies of the Green Party are based on a desire to connect people both to their natural surroundings and to their community, making for a happier, healthier society. By showing what can be achieved at a local level, we can develop a political climate where global environmental issues can be tackled without fear. I joined the Greens to be part of a movement which will become increasingly influential in the coming years, and I am standing in Hale Central to give you the chance to express this sentiment as well. Vote Green on May 3rd!

 

Longford - Margaret Westbrook

It’s time for change! A green voice in council would speak out for: investment in green jobs, not massive job cuts - local services for ordinary people but AGAINST inflated salaries for public servants and bankers - local shops, not sell-offs to giant supermarkets - local food production but AGAINST airport expansion - better cycling facilities, 20mph zones and cheap public transport - vibrant local parks and libraries - clean green energy but AGAINST nuclear power - VOTE GREEN ON MAY 3rd.

 

Priory - Paul Bayliss

Many of us think of environmental issues as being on a global scale, without realising how almost everything we do (e.g. driving a car, going on holiday, shopping) has an effect on the environment around us. The disappearance of the sparrow and the bee was as a result of how we changed the way we model our front gardens. We can’t just ignore the situation. If we are unable to make changes to the way we live our lives at a local level, how are we ever going to change anyone’s outlook? Unless we develop some long term changes and live sustainable lives the planet could well reach a tipping point from which there is no return. Let’s vote for your children and their children’s futures. Make a change within your local council by placing your support with the Green Party.

Sale Moor - Nigel Woodcock

Like many others, I used to be a Labour Party member, although that was many years ago, in my youth. Since then I have seen the party abandon its principles under Tony Blair, in order to become elected, and then pursue an agenda of privatising by stealth, especially within health and education services. And that was before the shameful march to war in Iraq, for which we have yet to see Blair and Bush appear in an international court for war crimes. I see the Green Party as a refuge for those with a political and moral compass that is still intact, especially for those who realise that we are running out of time and that green policies are not a luxury but a strategy for survival. I was proud to be elected the Chair of Trafford Greens earlier this year. If I win I'll commit myself 100% to representing the people of Sale Moor, some of whose children I teach at Manchester College, and I'll push Trafford Council to take seriously their green promises.

St. Mary's - Joe Ryan

The Green Party offers a real alternative to the people of Trafford because it stands for the future of our families and communities. Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Bristol, Norwich, Solihull, Lewisham, Camden, Glasgow and Edinburgh all have Green councillors - isn't it about time that Trafford followed their lead?

Stretford - Liz O'Neill

With ConDem cuts and environmental disasters around the world it's easy to despair, but the Green Party is a real beacon of hope. Green politics is all about local action: standing up against harmful developments, helping out with the Friends of Victoria Park or just getting together to pick up litter on a Sunday afternoon. The Green Party is also part of a worldwide movement working for real change at every level. Be part of the solution: vote Green on 3rd May.

Timperley - Jadwiga Leigh

Saying the 'Greens never get in' is no longer true. Caroline Lucas has overturned that fallacy and proved that voting Green is worthwhile. The Trafford Greens need people to start thinking that same way and voting for those who can make that change from the stagnant policies we are so used to. I do believe people are starting to think in Greener ways which is positive and promising. However, we still have a long way to go and I believe that the only party that can push for more practical changes within local policy is the Green Party.  

Urmston - Paul Syrett

The Green Party, locally and nationally, is committed to safeguarding the environment as an absolute priority. Public transport in Urmston has been cut relentlessly and services at Trafford General Hospital have been decimated. We have been badly let down by the redevelopment of Urmston Precinct, which has so far taken far longer than predicted and has failed to deliver a diverse neighbourhood shopping centre. The Green Party aims to preserve the diversity of our neighbourhood centres, and to improve local services such as education and health. We want public transport links that are safe, cheap and convenient. There are many cyclists in Urmston and improved provision of cycle lanes would send the right message in terms of reducing carbons emissions. Vote Green on 3rd May.

Village - Michael Leigh

We have seen some positive changes with regards to local environment and policy issues in the past year or so. I believe this is down to the hard work of the Trafford Green Party who are dedicated in supporting and improving the area in which we live and call our home. But more work is yet to be done and this can only be supported with votes! Vote for those who can make a difference - Vote Green.

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We'd like to thank our photographer who took most of the pictures on this page - i.e., the good ones! His name is Lee Avison and you can look at examples of his wedding photos here: Lee Avison Photography. He can be contacted on 07515 124218.