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

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

THE Gorse Hill ward is one Labour will expect to win - even if the weekend predictions of the party heading for a dismal set of local election results ends up correct.

Time and time again this ward has delivered for the city's main opposition party, but few of its activists will forget 2014 in a hurry.

After years of comfortable majorities, two years ago it had an almighty shock when Councillor Geoff Williams, the then-deputy leader, kept his seat by just 119 votes after a surge in UKIP support.

At the time Nigel Farage's high polling helped UKIP candidate John Francis get 390 votes, with Councillor Williams on 509.

That was the last time Gorse Hill was contested, and this time it's the turn of former Mayor of Worcester Councillor Roger Berry to defend his seat.

It goes to show how much has changed in British politics in recent years that in 2012, when he was last up, UKIP did not even bother putting forward a candidate.

At the time Councillor Berry's 673 votes led to another routine Labour victory, with the nearest challenging party being the Conservatives on 146.

The question here will be whether UKIP has made the progress needed since 2014 to take a scalp here, and in doing so make a slice of history by getting its first ever city councillor.

Councillor Berry will be pointing to his vast amount of experience, with four challengers up against him.

UKIP is fielding activist Paul Hickling, with the Conservatives standing member Alex Rugg, while the Greens are relying on regular candidate Paul Snookes.

A newly formed right-wing organisation called the British Resistance Party, formed by former Worcester BNP organiser Carl Mason, is also putting up a hopeful here.

Linda Bell, who has stood for the BNP in St John's before, is the party's name on the voting card.

Gorse Hill has the distinction of being the only ward in Worcester where British National Party has made any headway in recent years.

The ward's voter turnout has also been dismally low - it was just 24 per cent the last time this particular seat was up.

Anything else than a Labour hold would be a major shock here, but all the rival parties will be looking to make up as much ground as possible.

LINDA BELL (BRP)

British Resistance will see that 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.

ROGER BERRY (LAB AND CO-OP)

I have served as a councillor for Gorse Hill for the last 20 years.

In that time, I have held many offices on the city council, including leader, chair of housing, and Nexus board member.

I have been parliamentary candidate for Worcester, an active member of UNISON and the co-operative and worked in social services throughout my career.

I am married to Jill, with two children and three grandchildren.

I was Mayor of Worcester in 2012/13.

An active local councillor serving on the city’s scrutiny committee and Fortis customer and communities Panel, I am Labour’s spokesman on housing and community issues.

In my spare time I am an active member of Worcester U3A and supporter of the Swan Theatre.

PAUL HICKLING (UKIP)

I will push for the improvements to housing in Gorse Hill and work closely with the housing associations to ensure that they play their part in the up-keep of the estates. I will support investment in affordable housing schemes for first time buyers and renters alike.

I believe all long-term residents of Gorse Hill should be prioritised for social housing first.

I will challenge spending allocations and fight to ensure that Gorse Hill gets its fair share of financial resources allocated to it by the city council. For too long the ward has been overlooked by those in the Guildhall.

I was born in Malvern and have been living in Worcester for the last five years. I am a keen Worcester Warriors fan.

ALEX RUGG (CON)

I have been a resident of Worcester city for 35 years and am a professional Merchant Navy officer, private company director and hospital chaplaincy volunteer.

I look forward to helping the city grow as a great place to live, study, work, do business and visit as a tourist.

I am especially interested in encouraging better transport links with a new bridge, additional railway station and better road traffic management.

I want to see even greater care of the environment, more quality housing, encouragement for new businesses and increased tourism visits to our heritage-rich city.

I believe that by working together Worcester will continue to have a great future having great communication links, a keen workforce, sporting facilities, a historic vibrant city and place in some of Britain’s most lovely countryside.

PAUL SNOOKES (GREEN)

I have lived in Worcester for 13 years and have had two children go through school here.

I will work hard to increase the amount of affordable housing and campaign for better insulated homes to help reduce heating bills.

I will also make sure that all public spaces are free of litter and are green, pleasant and safe places for us to enjoy.

Traffic congestion is a big problem in Worcester, so we need to have better and cheaper public transport and make it safer and more enjoyable to cycle and walk. Finally, we need to create more opportunities for work, education and training in our area.