UP until recently, Claines was very much a Liberal Democrats seat with the party returning candidates to County Hall with comfortable victories.

This all changed in 2017 when the Conservatives took control of the division with a margin of victory the Liberal Democrats were usually accustomed to.

In an area that has flipped from all Lib Dem to all Conservative on Worcester City Council in recent years, a change of hands in Claines could well be on the cards again.

Whilst the Liberal Democrats have again put forward Mel Allcott, who has enjoyed recent election success in Claines having been elected to represent the area on Worcester City Council in 2019, Andy Stafford will not be seeking re-election despite his triumph in toppling the Lib Dems last time out.

Nevertheless, his decision not to stand again means a familiar face in Worcester politics will be aiming to replicate his success and keep Claines, on the county council at least, blue.

Long-standing city councillor Chris Mitchell will be battling out in Claines for the Conservatives next month having unsuccessfully put himself forward for the Tory candidacy in 2017.

If recent city council elections are anything to go by, it could certainly be a tight contest in Claines.

Andy Stafford was re-elected to the city council by just 95 votes in 2018 - finishing marginally in front of Mel Allcott who polled 1,157 votes - and the margin of victory was even smaller in 2017 at just 62 votes with Mel Allcott again finishing second to Conservative Stuart Denlegh-Maxwell.

Jeremy Burton will also be standing in Claines for the Green Party with Labour’s Matt Lamb, current city councillor for St John’s, hoping to snatch a victory in an area usually reserved for Lib Dem and Tory victories.

Paul Hickling, who has stood in various elections for various parties including UKIP and the Democrats and Veterans Party, is now returning to stand in Claines for Reform UK - the Nigel Farage-founded party renamed earlier this year from the Brexit Party.

The Tories and Lib Dems will both by eyeing up victory but expect it to be a close one again.

MEL ALLCOTT (LIBERAL DEMOCRAT)

“As city councillor for Claines, I work hard all year round, helping and supporting residents. I also take on board ideas from residents and put to good use. I have succeeded in getting the council to pass my two motions including the declaration of a biodiversity emergency and the implementation of “Every Disability is not Visible” signage.

“I am keen to be elected as county councillor for Claines and move the council forward. Services for people are now more vital than ever. I want to overhaul outdated transport with a new integrated scheme, embracing active travel and public transport, not just the car. Now is the time for recovery, a sustainable and workable economy. Innovative commerce and industry, leading the way, with green technology at the forefront.”

JEREMY BURTON (GREEN)

“Originally from Pershore, I moved to Hong Kong in 2013 for five years to work in healthcare and education.

“In 2018, I returned to Worcester, where I work as a therapeutic radiographer, working closely with cancer patients in the region.

“My main priorities are encouraging active travel to improve health and promote wellbeing, whilst reducing congestion in the city.

“I am aware that as a city, Worcester lacks cycling infrastructure and I am passionate about making cycling a safe alternative to driving.

“I also see single use plastic as something we need to begin to ban.

“I am an avid cyclist and I also run for Worcester Athletic Club.”

PAUL HICKLING (REFORM UK)

“My vision for the city includes a prosperous High Street, excellent schools, safe neighbourhoods and roads.

“I want to play my part in reforming local government, restarting the local economy and rebuilding local communities.

“How Worcester recovers from the pandemic will be crucial for the future of our city. We must challenge the decision-making process at both county and city councils.

“We need to ensure resources are being spent to encourage growth in the local economy while making the council more accountable to you.

“We must reform the way our council is run so that it works properly for you.

“I will seek your ideas on how to go about this.”

MATT LAMB (LABOUR)

“I have lived or worked in Worcester for more than 20 years including 14 years at Worcester College of Technology. I currently work as the principal of a sixth form college that I established in West Bromwich. I have also served as a city councillor since 2010.

“Claines typifies what makes living in Worcester a pleasure with access to both the city and the countryside. However, it also needs a tireless representative to protect it and speak out for the people who live there. I would seek to guard Claines from overdevelopment, including the protection of green spaces, whilst ensuring that congestion and parking are given the priority that residents need to protect the local environment. Bus services need to be enhanced and cycling and walking routes improved.

CHRIS MITCHELL (CONSERVATIVE)

“I understand it is the uniqueness and individual nature of Claines that the residents cherish and want to retain and it is my aim, if elected, to protect its beauty and tranquillity.

“I have been a city councillor for over 10 years coupled with 20 years’ Army service and 15 years working in the engineering industry and the last five years running my own consultancy in Worcester.

“My foremost role as your councillor is to listen to what you want, and equally, don’t want.

“My priorities for Claines and the county as we come out of the pandemic are to provide support to the most vulnerable and to assist local businesses to rebuild and grow. I intend to continue to campaign to improve our pavements and roads and increase cycle and pedestrian access across the city and the county.”