WARNDON Parish North has been home to two Conservative councillors for at least two decades now and the party will be expecting another comfortable win on May 5.
Long-standing councillor and current city mayor Stephen Hodgson is looking to be re-elected for the Conservatives in a ward he has represented since 2004 and is up against Emily Bond for the Green Party, Labour’s Ian Craigan and Sarah Murray for the Liberal Democrats.
The ward has been very to the Conservatives in recent years with a number of big wins including a huge 900-plus vote win in 2015.
More recent contests have seen the Conservatives grab a couple of tighter wins ahead of Labour by just under 200 votes in the last contest in the ward in 2019 and 142 votes when Stephen Hodgson was last re-elected in 2018.
Labour has come the closest to breaking the Tory grip on Warndon Parish North, with two defeats for Andy Graham, and it is Ian Craigan who will be representing the party on May 5.
With the Tory vote-share creeping down in Warndon Parish North at the last two contests, and without a UKIP candidate standing in the ward this time around, there are potentially a few votes hanging around to shake things up.
Liberal Democrat Sarah Murray returns having finished joint fourth with UKIP in 2019 and fourth again in 2018 albeit 650 votes behind the Conservatives.
Green candidate Emily Bond, who finished a distant 1,300 votes behind Andy Roberts in last year’s county council contest in Warndon, is hoping to build on a string of third-placed finishes for the party in the ward in recent elections.
The leafy ward, which takes in parts of Warndon villages and sits next to the M5, is also home to Tolladine and Warndon Woods.
EMILY BOND (GREEN)
“I am 37 years old and originally from Sutton Coldfield. I have lived in Worcester for eight years with my partner Craig. I have a spinal disability, so I work part time from home in environmental policy.
“As a mature student I took a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, and I am currently studying for a master’s degree in environmental management. I am an associate member of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and a member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
“I have campaigned my whole life for the environment, equality, diversity, and social justice, and believe that these are some of the most pressing issues we need to address in Worcestershire and nation-wide.
“My priorities are protecting green space and biodiversity, better public transport, and active travel, reducing emissions and improving public services for a better quality of life for everyone in Worcester.”
IAN CRAIGAN (LABOUR)
“I’ve lived in Worcester for 30 years, working in community development and managing the Sure Start programme across the city. I’m now a storyteller in schools and nurseries, a busy musician and folk dancer, a school governor and Anglican worship leader.
“I’ve loved bringing up a family in Worcester and I want to secure the very best for all residents, young and old.
“If elected I pledge to work with the parish council and local residents to maintain litter free roads, pavements and green spaces and tackle the issue of speeding traffic and develop better options for cycling and walking through the city.
“I will support the environmental improvements being made by local residents and fix the bridge at Lyppard ponds, support schemes to better insulate your home to keep energy costs down and help the planet and offer help and support to those struggling with the costs of living crisis.”
STEPHEN HODGSON (CONSERVATIVE)
“I live with my wife Lucy on Brecon Avenue, in Warndon Parish North. I have represented Warndon Parish North since 2004 and have been a Warndon Parish Councillor since 2019. I am coming to the end of my term as mayor of Worcester.
“I work for a major grocery retailer and in my spare time support the Worcester Warriors and I am president elect of Worcester Vigornia Rotary Club helping to support local charities. I am also a regular worshipper at St. Nicholas Church and a trustee of the Lyppard Hub.
“Locally I have been successful in securing funding for a multi-user games area in the ward and have used my local knowledge to advise council officers on the more suitable location for the newly installed bins.
“On a city-wide level I want to see the £20 million Covid Recovery grant used as effectively as possible to benefit the whole city.”
SARAH MURRAY (LIBERAL DEMOCRAT)
“An active member of the community, Sarah engages in local litter picks with Facebook group, Warndon Wombles, which she created last year to get members of the community together to actively improve their local environment.
“With a keen interest in education, Sarah teaches English and maths to adults and young people. Sarah is a special educational needs teacher and so understands first-hand the needs of young people who require additional support.
“She is keen to ensure that adequate services are in place to provide the right educational support at the right time. Investment in young people is essential to ensure their future emotional and economic wellbeing.
“Invest now to prepare these youngsters for the world of work and divert them away from anti-social behaviour.”
“Sarah will be standing to make our area an even better place to live, work and grow up. A vote for Sarah is a vote for a fairer, cleaner, greener Worcester.”
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