ELECTIONS 2016: We take a look at Worcester City Council's Nunnery ward

Worcester News' Political Reporter Tom Edwards continues our election coverage with a look at the NUNNERY ward.

SOME interesting battles have developed in Nunnery over the years - in a ward which has historically been kind to Labour.

Now they will be looking for the same again, but it will be far from easy as few have ever classed Nunnery as a truly safe seat.

The two seats here are currently held by Labour and last year Councillor Simon Cronin kept it that way, but not after a fiercely-contested count which saw the Tories get within 375 votes of scoring an upset on a 65 per cent turnout.

Now both parties are preparing for a five-candidate battle, but the story here is as much about change as anything else.

Current Nunnery ward Councillor Richard Boorn, Labour's finance spokesman who spent a year in the cabinet, is stepping down meaning the voters are guaranteed an entirely new representative at the Guildhall.

Rather than go for tried and trusted veteran council candidates, both main parties are hoping fresh faces win the day.

The Tory candidate Phoenix Jones is up for the first time while Labour's Tracey Biggs did try and get elected last year, but in Claines.

The five-person list includes candidates for UKIP, the Green Party and the newly-formed British Resistance Party, a right-wing organisation with links to the BNP.

Nunnery is a big ward and has its fair share of issues, especially as it takes in part of Newtown Road where congestion, pollution and litter around the Aldi supermarket have cropped up as concerns.

Parking has often been at a premium too because of Worcestershire County Council's Spetchley Road HQ and Worcester Sixth Form College.

The new Waitrose being built off London Road is also something which has regularly popped up in councillor in-trays, given that it sits in the ward.

The store is opening on June 30, with more than 1,000 people applying for just 120 jobs at the £20 million flagship outlet.

Labour's task will be to hold what it has here - but it is far from clear cut.

TRACEY BIGGS (LABOUR)

My husband and I moved here because we feel that Worcester is a great place to live, but agree with local residents that public transport, traffic congestion, cuts to public services and housing developments are a blight to us all.

I believe that I have a good understanding of these issues and if elected, I will hard to tackle them in partnership with Nunnery residents.

Having worked for 33 years as a nurse, midwife and health visitor, I am passionate about our NHS and am committed to ensuring that residents have access to good quality public services.

I promise that I will always work in the best interests of Nunnery residents

GRAHAM GREENBERG (UKIP)

I would like to represent the people of Nunnery to fight on their behalf on local issues that have the greatest impact on daily lives.

In pursuing that, I would not be bound by a party whip and would always be able to vote in the best interests of the ward’s residents.

My family and I have had local connections with Nunnery for 30 years with my son and daughter attending the local school, and my wife helping children with speech problems at Warndon Oasis Academy.

My working life included the Army and the glass industry (mostly Pilkington) in the UK, Far East, Eastern Europe and Middle East and North Africa. I have been privileged to make many friends from these diverse cultures.

PHOENIX JONES (CONSERVATIVE)

I am fortunate to have made a home in wonderful Worcester for 14 years with my partner, and am proud to show friends around our unique and historic Cathedral City.

In my spare time I enjoy sailing my dinghy on the River Avon, and helping organise fundraising socials for the club.

I live on Astwood Road and helped set up the Gorse Hill, Warndon and Rainbow Hill Conservative branch, acting to improve local parking and litter issues.

As a former teacher, I strongly support education and apprenticeship opportunities for young people which will in turn profit the local economy.

I also back the car parking freeze and for council tax to remain low.

I became active in local politics to give a voice to residents and help fix the day to day problems that blight our quality of life .

I look forward to meeting you to discuss any you may have.

CARL MASON (BRP)

British Resistance will see money wasted on unnecessary foreign aid, EU membership and senseless wars is spent on the British people - charity beings at home.

We will ensure the people responsible for the bloodshed in the Middle East, exploitation of our brave soldiers, and subsequent migration of dispossessed people into Europe, stand trial for crimes against humanity.

We will push for Britain’s immediate withdrawal from the EU, defend corrupt quangos, end our maddening open-door policy and see that bogus asylum seekers are repatriated immediately.

We will fight to reverse the Islamification of the West and be tougher on crime.

Unlike Labour, the Greens, Lib Dems, Tories, and UKIP, we will put the interests of the British people first.

Vote to reclaim your country. Vote British Resistance.

BARBARA MITRA (GREEN)

I have lived in Worcester for 18 years and work at the University of Worcester.

I believe in a caring, inclusive and democratic society which enables everyone to have fulfilling work, follow their interests, and interact with their local community.

Our democracy should be participatory and empowering for people to take an active and informed part in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.

Having my own child with special needs (autistic, epilepsy and ADHD) means I understand the importance of supporting others to have rich and rewarding lives.

If elected, I will do all I can to be a voice for local people and local issues.

I believe the Green Party is the only party that has the policies to make our society fairer.