Farnley & Wortley by-election: Candidates’ profiles

Voters in Farnley & Wortley Ward will go to the polls on Thursday 10 October, 2024 for a Leeds City Council by-election. One councillor will be elected following the resignation of Labour’s Mark Sewards.

Voters are reminded that photo ID is needed to vote at polling stations. More details here. 

Your West Leeds Dispatch has attempted to contact all candidates asking them for a statement of up to 300 words and a head and shoulders photograph to help you decide who to vote for. Here are their responses:

Allison, Peter Edwards: Independent

462 Tong Road, Farnley LS12 5AU.

Candidate is disqualified.

Andrews, Peter: Liberal Democrats

2 Whingate Avenue, Armley, Leeds LS12 3RE.

I was born and brought up in Leeds and moved to LS12 in 2019. I live in Armley but only a couple of hundred meters from the Farnley and Wortley ward boundary. I work for our family run solar panel installation business, which is also based in Armley. I am an environmentalist, but with a practical outlook on the issue, hence my chosen career where I am actually doing something, not just talking about the issue of climate change. 

I believe that Councillors should first and foremost be representatives and advocates for the residents of their wards. Helping them with their issues and campaigning on things that matter to them. Issues such as housing, transport and crime as well as more mundane things like bin collections, all of which the local Council has significant influence over.

I am also aware there are local issues in Farnley & Wortley like the TV Harrison Sports Ground, which the Council have been trying to allow housing developments on for years despite the fact it is held in trust for the benefit of the Children of Leeds. Whilst we do need additional housing to help with the housing crisis this should not be at the expense of vital green sports areas for local children to be able to use. 

I feel that Labour Councillors all too often simply toe the party line regardless of what the views of their residents are. I think that Labour run Leeds City Council would benefit from another voice in opposition in the Council chambers helping to scrutinize their plans and highlighting where the Council are making mistakes. 

So please vote for me to have a Liberal Democrat representative for Farnley and Wortley on Leeds City Council.

Blackburn, David: Green Party

9 Cobden Grive, Farnley, Leeds LS12 5PA.

I have lived in Farnley & Wortley for over 40 years and was one of its Green Party councillors for 26 years. Over that time I have worked with many local organisations and tried to make sure funds are spent fairly across all parts of the ward.

I have worked for lots and lots of people helping them with their individual problems through my surgeries, by e-mail, by letter or by personal contact. It would be my intention to restart these surgeries as soon as possible if I am elected. 

During my period on the council I always made it clear that I believed councillor allowances were too large and I, along with the other Farnley & Wortley Green councillors, did not take the full amount. If elected, I again would not take the full amount.

In this time of cost of living increases I will try to support those that are suffering and sign post them to where they can get the help they need. I will work at a local level for energy savings schemes and local renewable schemes.

In the past I have played my part in the council’s snsulation scheme and the solar panel scheme on council houses working cross party for the benefit of our citizens.

I will oppose any development on the green belt and any future proposals to take areas out of the green Bbelt. It is my view developments should be on brownfield sites, which there are plenty of in Leeds

If you elect me you will be electing a local person who puts Farnley & Wortley first and is not controlled by a party whip. Greens think for themselves!

I ask you to support me on Thursday, 10 October 2024.

Dresser, David Stephen: Reform UK

Address in Leeds.

Garthwite, Al: Labour Party

Address in Leeds.

I’m delighted to be standing for election as councillor in the Farnley and Wortley by-election on 10 October.

Who am I? After moving around throughout childhood (we were an army family), and studying, I settled just across the border in Beeston, my home for over 40 years. I have friends, and have worked, in Farnley and Wortley, so already know the area.  

I’ve been talking to local people about its challenges, such as anti-social behaviour, unreliable buses, speeding, matchday parking, the need for activities for young people and local support for those older, and of course the cost of living.  

All these issues I’ve tackled successfully in my previous work as a Leeds councillor, as a director of community-based enterprises and in my own time. I’ve been a school governor, set up two community nurseries, chair an older people’s charity and am active with the ‘Friends’ of my local park, where I organise summer band concerts and an annual dog show.

I’m passionate about combatting violence against women and girls. I helped set up domestic violence refuges and organised England’s first Reclaim the Night march, demanding women be able to go out at night (and during the day) without fear. Last year I was proud the lead the Leeds march as Lord Mayor. 

I was behind Leeds’ Ask for Angela initiative, where anyone feeling uncomfortable in public premises can ask staff for “Angela” and get the help they need.

I believe strongly in the power of partnership to get things done.  As a councillor, I shall work closely with colleagues and our own MP Mark Sewards, as well as voluntary and community groups, the police, local businesses and more, and do my utmost to secure the highest possible quality of life for everyone in Farnley and Wortley.

Riley, Richard: Social Democratic Party (SDP)

54 Cross Flatts Crescent, Leeds LS11 7JP.

Suryawanshi, Lalit: Conservative

3 Winders Dale, Morley, Leeds, LS27 9TH

More details on the Farnley & Wortley by-election can be found here.