Read more about our candidates for tomorrow’s City Council elections – scroll down to view by ward in alphabetical order.
BOWTHORPE
Sue Sands (L): “I have lived in Three Score, within Bowthorpe Ward, for many years. I work as a primary school teacher and have raised my family in the community.
“Living in the heart of Bowthorpe I talk to local people, campaign for positive improvements and practical changes all year round.
“For many these are truly tough times as working people see the services they value and pay for eroded by ever more severe and serious Tory cuts.
“All around us we see the impact – our local police station closing, cuts to our community safety, our SureStart Centres at risk of closure and schools and libraries having their budgets slashed.
“Now more than ever we need a strong local Labour team which will champion our communities in Bowthorpe Ward – Larkman, Three Score, West Earlham, Clover Hill and Chapel Break and work hard all year round – for the many not the few!”
CATTON GROVE
Mike Stonard (L): “I am a councillor who works all year round and listens to residents across Catton Grove. I know that many people are facing tough times right now.
“Vital local services – police, schools, NHS and councils – are being cut to the bone by the Tory government. One million people are fed by foodbanks, while the Tory Bedroom Tax pushes people from their homes.
“Last year, the Tories tried to increase National Insurance on self-employed workers while cutting Working Tax Credits. In Norfolk, they have made vast cuts to our police service – even though crime is rocketing again.
“I am passionate about fairness and justice for all. I detest the way the Tories are decimating our public services while giving tax handouts to the rich. That is deeply unfair and deeply unjust. I have spent a lifetime working in the NHS and now am a local councillor.”
CROME
Marion Maxwell (L): “It has been a privilege to serve the Crome community as a city councillor (and to have represented our city as Lord Mayor last year). This is a community that I care deeply about and that is why I’m standing for re-election.
“Throughout the year I have taken on concerns raised by residents and have worked to resolve these. I have helped get new social housing built and existing homes improved, including ensuring that the Heartsease tower blocks remain safe after the Grenfell Tower tragedy last year.
“I am aware of the devastating impact of Tory austerity policies – as police, schools, NHS, social care, Sure Start Children’s Centres and all essential council services – continue to be seriously damaged by cuts imposed by this Tory government. I have led the campaign to save our Plumstead Road Library and pledge to continue to fight for what is best for our community.”
EATON
Ben Hardie (L) “I am delighted to be standing as the Labour candidate for Eaton in this year’s Norwich City Council elections.
“Having studied at the UEA for four years and worked in the city for some time, I know from personal observation what a great place Norwich is to live in, and my recent experience of canvassing and listening to people on their doorsteps has only sharpened my interest in the concerns of the local community.
“I am a great believer that you only get to know the ‘real issues’ by going out and speaking to residents, and as a candidate this has been a key priority of mine.
“I also have a background in renewable energy and finance which, if I am successful, I can put to the disposal of the city to strengthen our local community and make Norwich a better place to live for us all.”
LAKENHAM
Rachel Trevor (L): “I have lived in Lakenham for over 20 years. I am experienced in community and arts based roles and this is expertise I intend to put to good use in Lakenham ward.
“I am an active member of the Friends of Jubilee Park and I run a support group for parents/carers of young people with mental illness.
“I am a domestic abuse champion, a shift supervisor in a city centre charity shop and I work part time in a branch library.
“I have a good understanding of issues facing residents having experienced redundancy twice and having been a single parent, I think my combination of experiences make me an ideal candidate and I will be proud to represent the people of Lakenham and Tuckswood.”
MANCROFT
Jo Smith (L): “I’m delighted to be standing as the Labour candidate in Mancroft ward. I currently work helping Clive Lewis’ constituents with their problems, and in the past I have been an NHS nurse and a teacher in adult education, so I know that health and education are key to improving people’s lives.
“I have lived in this area for 20 years and I love it. I have raised my family here and I welcome the opportunity to represent Mancroft in City Hall because I want this to be a safe and secure place for our whole community.
“I have been busy meeting the people of Mancroft and hearing that drug use, insecure private housing, litter and parking issues are some of the problems that people face. I will do my absolute best to represent all residents of Mancroft.”
MILE CROSS
Jacob Huntley (L): “I am a lecturer at the University of East Anglia and I’m delighted to be standing as the Labour candidate in Mile Cross.
“It’s crucial that local communities are protected from the ongoing effects of the government’s austerity policies, which inevitably hit the poorest and most vulnerable in society the hardest, but ultimately affect everyone.
“Whether it is cuts to local services, the imposition of policies like the bedroom tax or the freezing of wages, these decisions negatively impact ordinary people and often cause real hardship, something I see every week as a volunteer at a local food bank. “I’m standing as a Labour candidate as a way of standing up for Mile Cross and to protect and improve the lives of everyday people.”
NELSON
Emma Hampton (L): “I joined Labour just after the 2015 General Election, at which time I was living in Nelson and studying Chemistry at UEA, then quickly became involved with campaigning in this area.
“Ever since then, I’ve worked closely with city councillor Hugo Malik and county councillor Jess Barnard: helping resolve residents’ issues, running local campaigns and organising community events.
“From the thousands of conversations I’ve had on the doorstep over the past few years, I know the issues that matter to local people and would be a strong voice for Nelson residents in City Hall when it comes to taking action on these.
“I also strongly believe that, especially with the current Tory government leaving us behind, it’s important for young people to have their voices heard and get involved with local decision-making; if elected as the next city councillor for Nelson, I’ll work hard to help make this the case.”
SEWELL
Matthew Packer (L): “I am a father of three who works in the public and third sector, and I am standing for re-election as a councillor for Sewell because I want to make a difference for residents.
“I hope that you will vote for me because I am committed to Sewell and have a track record of being active in the community and fighting for your interests, most recently against proposed cuts to children’s centres and bus routes. I campaign year round and know the challenges facing our residents.
“If elected, I will continue to listen and act upon community concerns. I will continue to campaign to ensure local residents are not exploited by unscrupulous landlords, fight for the building of more affordable council homes and for support for those affected by funding cuts.
“I have strong connections to Sewell and would consider it an honour to be re-elected as a councillor.”
THORPE HAMLET
Cavan Stewart (L): “I have lived in Thorpe Hamlet for the past 25 years and used to be a teacher at Thorpe St Andrew School.
“My priorities are standing up for local people and fighting to protect services including our police, libraries, doctor’s surgery, buses and schools.
“With other local residents, I successfully campaigned against Generation Park, which would have seen a straw burning plant with the potential to spread toxic fumes across this area. I continue to call for measures to reduce airborne pollution from cars, buses and lorries.
“I have been personally involved in activities at a number of open spaces, including Old Library Woods and Kett’s Heights where I am chair of the Friends Group. We are helping to keep these areas clean, more welcoming and a focal point to build a stronger and more vibrant community which is in a better position to combat elements of anti-social behaviour.”
TOWN CLOSE
Ian Stutely (L): “Norwich has been my home for over 40 years. I love the city, I care about our community, and the future of Norwich, and that’s why I’m standing as the Labour candidate in Town Close.
“I enjoy getting involved with community work. In the past year I have campaigned against cuts to our police team, Children’s Centres, and endless Tory austerity that affects so many of our local people.
“I have met with hundreds of residents and listened carefully to their views and ideas; I’ve volunteered on community projects and supported local businesses. Our community is a lovely place to live, but I know it can be better.
“Town Close needs a champion for local people, the environment, and our communities. If elected I will continue campaigning to protect local services that we all rely on and will always seek to promote our communities, local businesses, and equality for all.”
UNIVERSITY
Matthew Fulton-McAlister (L): “I’m Norfolk born and bred. I have lived in Norwich since 2008 leaving briefly for work and returning. I studied at UEA where the motto is that we “do different” and this is what I intend to do as a city councillor. “I’m standing for University ward because I have a passion for the community having lived in the ward as a student. I’m standing to be a councillor because I’m passionate about Norwich’s rich history and would like to give back to the city which has given me so much.
“I work for the National Education Union, formerly the NUT. I’m passionate about education having seen first-hand the damage this Tory Government is doing. I want to build on the good work of the Labour Party at City Hall where we have introduced the real Living Wage and ensure Norwich City Council is the best employer in Norfolk.”
WENSUM
Erin Fulton-McAlister (L): “It would be a privilege to serve the communities that make up Wensum Ward.
“I have worked hard to campaign for our community, speaking to thousands of people throughout the year. Ever more, it is clear that for many, these are very tough times indeed.
“Every day, the public services, securities and opportunities available for our community are being shredded by this Tory government: in the last few months we have seen huge cuts to our policing team and the future of our local SureStart centre threatened.
“Electing a Labour councillor is critical in protecting the most vulnerable in our communities from these vicious Tory ‘efficiencies’.
“A vote for Labour at this city council election will allow us to keep building badly needed new council homes as we tackle rising homelessness, support local industry to bring good jobs to our community, and provide a fairer city for all.”