ELECTIONS 2017: Worcestershire County Council's Claines contest

For years and years this area was decidedly yellow, with the one Worcestershire County Council seat and all three city council seats here held by Liberal Democrats.

But the Tories have gradually eroded that power base and now hold all three city council seats here - the only one the Conservatives have left to grab is the county council’s.

So the stakes could hardly be higher, especially as current Lib Dem Claines county councillor Sue Askin is stepping down, bringing the curtain down on her 23 years’ public service.

The Lib Dems have nominated Mel Allcott, a well-known local activist who has tried to get elected numerous times for the party before, giving her a platform to work from.

The Conservatives hold genuine belief they can win here, and have selected Andy Stafford to contest the seat, a current city councillor in Claines.

There are five candidates in total, including Labour’s Robert Lodge and Green Peter Robinson, both previous faces in the election circuit, and UKIP activist Mark Hulme.

This division is large and leafy but it isn’t without its issues, such as the plethora of litter found along the A449, unpopular house building and a school place crisis.

Claines has witnessed some astonishingly tight election counts in recent years between the Tories and Lib Dems, with often just a handful of votes deciding things.

The last time the county council seat was up for grabs in 2013 Cllr Askin held it by 114 votes, but since then the polls here have been even tighter.

The Lib Dems will point to a buoyant and rising membership, its steady anti-Brexit position and a resurgence nationally, three factors which will give the party hope that it can resist the blue tide.

In turn the Conservatives will hang their hopes on a succession of recent city council victories here, and its own strong national polling.

Defeat here will be bitterly disappointing for either side.

Both camps will be smelling victory - but expect this to be too close to call.

Mel Allcott (Lib Dem)

A local resident of Claines for 15 years, if elected I will be an effective councillor, aware of and on hand for issues arising.

Canvassing in Claines, I like keeping in touch with the interests, needs and concerns of all residents.

A parent, also governor at Worcester 6th Form College, I appreciate the demand for high quality education and available pupil places, across north Worcester.

Green spaces are precious. Treasurer to Bevere Development Opposition Group, I am a keen activist, working to prevent housing development on green space.

Reinstating the Park and Ride and reducing congestion is a key priority for me.

Addressing improvements to the poor condition of pavements and roads, preventing accidents, particularly for those with reduced mobility.

Mark Hulme (UKIP)

I'm standing for UKIP to bring a fresh voice to County Hall.

After each election the county has the same cast of characters running the show.

The traditional parties represent the same approach.

Worcester and the county need fresh ideas.

I can bring a fresh perspective to County Hall and challenge the cosy monopoly enjoyed by the Tories.

Public spending at county level faces difficult challenges in the years ahead.

As your UKIP representative, I will not shirk from facing up to them.

will listen and act on your concerns. Let's push for a county were we can raise the money we need locally and not face the indignity of going to the government cap-in-hand for our money.

Robert Lodge (LABOUR)

I am proud of our community and proud to be your Labour candidate. If elected, I will be a voice for Claines in County Hall, not a voice for County Hall in Claines.

I have lived locally all my life and, if elected, I will champion residents’ views, prioritise issues that matter to you and build on Labour’s plan for Worcestershire.

I am proud of Labour’s work at the city council and hope to continue this at the county council, where the current Tory leadership is complacent.

I believe we would all benefit from a northern link road to reduce congestion and make Worcester easier to get around for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. If elected, I will lobby and vote for it.

Peter Robinson (GREEN)

I have lived in Worcester for 21 years and have always extolled Worcester as a place to treasure.

In Claines, we know about the negative impact poorly planned housing can have on our green spaces and traffic in the area.

We need to ensure that the new developments, swimming pool and housing are balanced by planning for safe, well-lit walking and cycling routes into the town.

To reduce the need for housing in our area, I will emphasise the opportunities for building on existing urban sites like flats above city centre shops to fellow councillors and planners.

I will seek to maximise the benefit brought to all from the limited city council funds and focus on the most vulnerable groups in our area.

Andy Stafford (CONSERVATIVE)

I have lived in Worcester for many years and believe Worcester is a great historic city with something for everyone.

Through my work life I have gained experience from many different perspectives, I have been a civil servant, I have worked in the NHS, in private industry, have been self-employed and currently run a small local business in Worcester city centre with my wife.

As city councillor for Claines ward over the last two years I have been very active and responsive to residents’ needs and concerns.

I always try my best to help residents resolve their issues, I believe the main role of a councillor is ensuring that residents get the services that they deserve from their local council, and that is exactly what I will do if elected as county councillor for Claines.