Yahoo News Bristol East constituency General Election 2024 guide -candidates and all you need to know
Bristol will once again take to the polls in the General Election on Thursday, July 4. Polls are indicating that Labour will claim victory in the city once again - a trend that started in 1992 and has continued in every General Election since.
This year’s General Election comes against a backdrop of changes within the constituencies of Bristol. There are now five MPs which will be elected in Bristol.
We're taking a closer look at all of the constituencies in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset where our readers will be taking part. We'll include all the candidates standing for election plus information on the area covered by the constituency.
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Here is the guide to Bristol East.
How many people are there in Bristol East?
It is estimated that the new area of Bristol East has 75,476 voters based on previous electorate figures. According to the Electoral Calculus, a turnout of 70.2 percent is expected.
The Bristol East boundaries
Since the last General Election in 2019, the ward of Bristol East has seen a number of changes. The wards of Brislington East, Brislington West, St George Central, St George Troopers Hill, St George West and Stockwood remain in the ward.
The wards of Easton and Lawrence Hill now form part of Bristol East, having previously being part of Bristol West (now Bristol Central), as well as Knowle, which was part of Bristol South. The wards of Eastville, Frome Vale and Hillfields have been moved to the new Bristol North East constituency, which is a borough for the first time since 1983.
The Candidates
There are seven candidates vying for the electorate’s votes on Thursday. Five parties are represented alongside two independents.
All the biographies and pitches have been written by the candidates or by their political parties. The candidates have been listed in alphabetical order by surname.
Wael Arafat - Independent
Wael Arafat said: “I came to this country in 2009 and was taken in by a Christian family. Both my birth parents died six months apart in Palestine, they were victims of the war.
“I was forced to leave Palestine at the age of 10. In the recent onset of war in Palestine, I lost 17 family members and friends in Palestine.
“I went on a hunger strike which went on for four months to protest against the war. I thought I would die because I lost 27 kg in weight. I owe my life to these people and to my parents who came to sit with me every day in hospital.”
Wael Arafat on why people should vote for him: “People should pick me as their MP for Bristol East as I am a person of my word. I have experienced the priorities which I am aiming to improve. From homelessness to disabilities, I understand what it means to be a true local.
“Therefore, I will focus on remediating key issues such as immigration, public transport, disability rights and the NHS. One of my key aims is to push for a ceasefire in Palestine.
“More than 43,000 people have lost their lives: 15,000 of them being children. Our government is not doing enough; these are people who have had families, homes and a life, just like us and they deserve to live without oppression.
“I have had first hand experience using public transport with my disability and great improvement is required, it is not right to make a disabled person wait to catch another bus because there was not enough space on the previous bus for their scooter. I will also push to increase funding for local community schemes as well as the NHS. I am against any policy that will make vulnerable people suffer; our government is indiscriminately cutting funding which is affecting the most vulnerable of our society, which is not right.”
Dan Conaghan - Conservative
We reached out to Dan, but did not get a response. He is representing Conservative in Bristol East for the first time.
Clare Dunnage - Social Democratic Party
We reached out to Clare, but did not get a response. She is representing the Social Democratic Party in Bristol East. It is the first time the party is contesting this MP.
Kerry McCarthy - Labour
Kerry was first elected as Labour MP for Bristol East in 2005. In June 2022 Kerry was appointed shadow Minister for Climate Change.
Her previous roles include shadow Environment Secretary; shadow minister in the Transport, Foreign Affairs and Treasury teams; and serving on both of Parliament’s environmental committees. Kerry has introduced bills on Supported Housing (Regulation), Food Waste, Kinship Care, and Animal Sentience.
Last month she introduced a Bill on Children and Parental Imprisonment, which is now in Labour’s manifesto. She has also focused on mental health, and campaigning on food poverty – including helping set up Feeding Bristol.
Kerry McCarthy on why people should vote for her: “Representing Bristol East for 19 years has been an immense privilege and it’s something I’ve never taken for granted. My team and I have been supporting people who come to me for help for nearly two decades, and I can promise that if I’m elected as your MP in July, I will continue to put my constituents first. I will be active within the constituency and accessible to local communities.
“The reason I came into politics was not just to help individuals – very rewarding though that is - but to change the system that means people are struggling in the first place. Our country has endured over a decade of decline, as a conveyor belt of Tory Prime Ministers have put their own self-interest ahead of the country's needs. Britain needs change and a Labour Government can deliver it.
“Our priorities will be to deliver economic stability; cut NHS waiting times; renationalise rail and allow local control of buses; crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour with more neighbourhood police; strengthen workers' rights; smash the gangs that exploit people seeking asylum; set up GB Energy and make Britain climate leaders at home and abroad.”
Farooq Siddique - Independent
We reached out to Farooq, but did not get a response. He is an independent candidate.
Ani Stafford-Townsend - Green Party
Ani Stafford-Townsend said: “I am known as a theatre professional, creative business owner, and lecturer, as well as for my dedication to environmental and social justice causes. First elected in 2015, I am one of the most experienced councillors having served as chair of the planning committee and as council group leader.
“My advocacy focuses on defending green spaces, combating knife crime, and supporting precarious housing. I am dedicated to the intersection of creativity, activism, and community leadership, to shape a more equitable and sustainable future.”
Ani Stafford-Townsend on why people should vote for her: “Growing up in poverty in a working-class family in the 1980s, I deeply connect with the experiences of many in Bristol East today. I understand the desperation and despair that comes with deprivation and how they ripple through our communities.
“As a councillor, I have a proven track record of centring communities in decision-making. The Green Party’s fully costed manifesto addresses the climate and social emergencies at the heart of every policy.
“By reforming the tax system, we propose that those with the broadest shoulders contribute the most, ensuring that the most vulnerable receive the care they deserve. The Green Party has always championed justice, both in the UK and globally.
“I remember the jubilation at the Labour landslide of 1997, and how rapidly we were then let down. All polling indicates another Labour landslide, parliament consisting of huge majorities do not lead to the best outcomes for democracy or communities.
“In the local elections, we won five out of the nine wards in Bristol East with 41% of the vote share, in comparison, Labour gained 31%, and Conservatives only 10%. YouGov polling indicates Greens achieving at least a solid second place. In Bristol East, you can vote for what you truly want and have a good chance of getting it. Vote Green.”
Tony Sutcliffe - Liberal Democrats
Tony grew up in the Kingswood area of Bristol. He gained an MSc in Computing, and worked as an IT / Project Manager; and he has been a successful business owner.
His last role was helping to set-up a brand new Public Transport company in the Middle East, providing a fast, efficient, cost effective solution for local people.
Tony is a committed champion for his local area, and has served as a Councillor, and a school governor; and has volunteered for a number of charities.
Tony Sutcliffe on why the public should vote for him: “Tony is campaigning for a fair deal for local people. This would provide better NHS services, easier access to GPs, and shorter waiting times for medical consultations.
“Local people need better access to dental treatment, especially for children; Tony will work hard to ensure that these vital services are properly funded and operated. High levels of sewage dumping in the rivers and sea around our coast are a scandal; we need to hold the utility companies to account, repair broken sewers, and clean up our environment.
“People across Bristol are struggling to cope with the cost of living crisis. The Liberal Democrats have a plan to address this, and will ensure that our broken and underfunded public services are restored, and work for the benefit of our whole community.”
Voting history
Labour MP Kerry McCarthy has won the vote in Bristol East every election since 2005, and before then Labour has won it since 1992 with Jean Corston. Kerry McCarthy has never obtained less than 36.6 percent of the electorate vote and in 2017 she earned more than 60 percent of the total votes.
