I am standing for Labour because I believe in fairness, opportunity and communities where everyone can live safely and thrive.

Full statement

As a retired primary headteacher, a Christian and a governor at a local Church primary school, I have spent my life serving young people and supporting families.
I believe in protecting our NHS, supporting local schools and ensuring people feel safe and valued in their neighbourhoods.
Labour values of social cohesion, fairness and respect for people of all backgrounds are the foundations of a peaceful and thriving community.
I want to work for residents to protect our countryside, opposing fracking on prime agriculture land and in or near housing, improve local roads and flood prevention, support affordable local transport and promote clean, sustainable energy, for the future of Rural West ward.

Council tax increase Reform promise change. They deliver worse services . LCC increase - 3.8% . Labour led WLBC delivered balanced budget and 2.99% increase.

Labour Delivering a Balanced Budget for West Lancashire
Labour has agreed a balanced £19.538 million budget for 2026/27, putting the council’s finances on a stronger footing than last year and supporting long-term planning with a £1.1 million increase in core spending power from government. The budget protects key services residents rely on. Leisure centres are protected, fortnightly bin collections continue with additional staff support, and street cleaning and litter bins will be maintained across the borough. Investment will also continue in parks and green spaces. The council is also increasing Council Tax Support up to 100% for the most vulnerable residents, alongside a £100,000 fund for local charities and voluntary organisations. Changes to car parking in Ormskirk will help support visitors, local businesses and the town centre economy.

Every pothole tells a story, the image of Reform failure
The UK Government has provided around £46.8 million to repair potholes and local roads in Lancashire.
Yet under the Reform UK administration at Lancashire County Council residents are still seeing:
• 3.8% council tax rise hitting household budgets
• £65 million cut from vital local services
• £11 million in redundancies affecting frontline staff
• Roads full of potholes and repairs falling behind
• Care homes and day centres under threat
Millions in funding. Potholes still everywhere. West Lancashire deserves better.

EXTENDING SUCCESS ALONG THE CANAL
Along the Leeds–Liverpool Canal - Parbold to Appley Bridge, along with key sections in Burscough, have already benefited from towpath resurfacing and upgrades — creating reliable, year-round routes that are now a well-used walking and cycling corridor. These improvements are working — but they must be extended further. Labour will ensure upgrades continue along the canal corridor to Haskayne, creating a fully connected, high-quality route. SECURING THE FUNDING Labour will actively seek to secure investment from :Active Travel England – funding for walking and cycling UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) – local regeneration funding Canal & River Trust / DEFRA partnership funding. Lancashire C. C. transport and infrastructure budgets. LABOUR’S PLAN Build on successes in Burscough and Parbold. Extend investment to Haskayne. Finish the job.

BACKING RURAL WEST BUSINESSES🌾
Investing in Our Villages Local businesses are the heart of Rural West. Across West Lancashire, funding has helped business like The Secret Garden Glamping – La Mancha Hall located in Halsall.
🔴 LABOUR’S PLAN FOR RURAL WEST
Bring more funding, from sources such as UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) Section 106 Developer Contributions DEFRA Farming Schemes National Lottery Community Fund FCC Communities Foundation Lancashire Environmental Fund Sport England Grants into our communities
“Our villages deserve their fair share. Labour will deliver investment, jobs and opportunity for Rural West.”

FRACKING IN LANCASHIRE
Fracking has already caused earthquakes — and West Lancashire is at risk. Our area sits on shale gas, beneath:• Prime farmland• Rural communities• Sensitive water environments Fracking would industrialise our countryside and put farming, water and quality of life at risk.
🌹 LABOUR: AGAINST FRACKING Protecting our countryside. Investing in clean energy. We will protect West Lancashire — not put it at risk.
🔵 REFORM UK: FOR FRACKING Backing shale gas drilling across Lancashire.

Protect our countryside
Build homes local families can afford.
You should not have to choose between keeping our farmland and giving the next generation a future here.
Labour believes we can — and must — do both.
The problem
If you are renting or saving for a deposit, you already feel the squeeze.
Homes cost too much.Rents keep rising.Young people are being forced to move away from friends and family.
But simply shouting “no” to every development won’t bring prices down.
It will just keep homes scarce and expensive.
What happens if we fail to build?
❌ House prices keep climbing
❌ Private rents rise
❌ Waiting lists grow
❌ Young families leave West Lancashire
❌ Employers struggle to recruit local workers
A community that can’t house its children loses its future.
Labour’s answer — smart growth
We will build the homes West Lancashire needs while protecting what makes it special.
✔ Prioritise brownfield and previously used land
✔ Demand proper roads, schools and GP provision
✔ Require high-quality design
And be clear:
we will resist building on the best Grade 1 agricultural land.
Our farmland feeds the country and defines our landscape.It should not be the first option for developers.

If your child is aged 9 months to 4 years old you can get 30 hours per week of free childcare for 38 weeks of the year. The amount of free childcare you can get through Free Childcare for Working Parents depends on:

• Your child’s age and circumstances
• Whether you’re working (employed, self-employed, or a company director)
• Your income (and your partner’s income, if you have one)
• Your immigration status
• You or your partner’s expected net income, including any foreign income is under £100,000 for the current tax year.