Southampton local elections 2023: Peartree ward candidates

The breakdown is three Labour, three Conservative, three Liberal Democrat, two Green and one TUSC.

If no statement was received the candidate has “no comment” under their name.

You can find a list of all the candidates standing in each ward here.

Here is what the candidates are saying:

James Dafydd Bluemel – Greens

– A vote for £1 bus fares

– A vote for clean air

– A vote for decency and integrity in politics

Please give Jim Bluemel one of your votes on May 4th.

Ali Haydor – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

“I’m standing because the current political elite is failing to deliver the needs of the working class people; both on a national level and locally, like Southampton. The living expenses have increased, which has put a strain on the working class. People are becoming seriously mentally ill because their quality of life has been sucked out of them as a result of working longer hours for less money, choosing between heating and buying food. A politician’s job is to serve the people who elected them; it is not a career like any other job; rather, it is to provide for the needs of the people, and we at the TUSC believe that people must come first.”

Francis Eric George Hedley – Liberal Democrats

“Francis has lived in the Southampton area his entire life. He is a bus driver for Bluestar and can often be spotted on bus routes across Southampton! Francis is passionate about improving transport links across Southampton with a better bus service, more cycle infrastructure, and safer roads and pavements.”

Sharon Pamela Hopkins – Liberal Democrats

“Sharon has lived in Southampton for 40 years, and in Peartree ward for 14 years. Sharon has been a teacher, a civil servant, and a childminder. She wants to use her career experience, and her deep knowledge of our area to improve it for the better. She will prioritise improving local facilities – particularly for young people.”

Alex Houghton – Conservatives

“Alex has had the pleasure of being one of the Peartree councillors since

2015. He has served on the council’s health panel for six years and has been involved in many community groups such as, Friends of Peartree Green, Bitterne Local History Society and Merryoak Community Centre. Alex believes strongly in the importance of his community, and lives in the ward where he’s a councillor. He has been an active councillor, supporting residents with hundreds of issues and securing investment and improvements to the area.

He also had the privilege of serving as Mayor of Southampton in 2022.”

Eamonn Francis Keogh – Labour

“I have raised my family in Peartree since 1990 and served as your councillor since 2012. I am proud of what we have achieved, from upgraded play areas and setting up friends groups for many of our local green spaces to improved local bus services.”

Simon Jonathan Letts – Labour

“Previously a councillor for 18 years and a school teacher for 25 I have a lot of experience working with local people. The east of our city needs more investment and I promise to fight for this and argue for Bitterne Police station to be replaced.”

Colin Lingwood – Conservatives

“Colin works in the care sector in the city and is passionate about the need

for better support and care for older residents in Southampton. He previously served in the Royal Navy for a number of years. He was born in Thornhill and continues to live locally.”

Robert William Naish – Liberal Democrats

“Rob was born and raised in Southampton and works at Portsmouth Naval Base. He is particularly interested in protecting and improving Southampton’s green spaces, and has been active in conservation in Itchen. Rob is passionate about protecting our vital local services from cuts to their funding.”

Susan Elizabeth Spencer – Conservatives

“Susan was born on the east of Southampton and has lived in her current home in the Peartree Ward for twenty years. She is enormously proud of Southampton and its history. However, she also recognises that things need to improve. For her work, she travels on public transport every day and she knows how much potential there is for this to work better for residents. She’s keen to work hard to improve her area and would be a very passionate and dedicated councillor.”

Ebony Olivia Thorne – Greens

- A vote for £1 bus fares

– A vote for clean air

– A vote for decency and integrity in politics

Please give Ebony Thorne one of your votes on May 4th.”

Sarah Ellen Walsh – Labour

“I have spent my adult life working hard to be an advocate and support for people in my community. As a parent I am very aware of the need for investment in our youth services and making Southampton a family friendly city. Improving our parks and the safety of our roads is key to this.”