Plymouth City Council Ham local elections candidates

Voters in Plymouth go to the polls in the May local elections for Plymouth City Council. Here are the candidates for the Ham ward - and why they say you should vote for them.

HAM

LEESA ALDERTON - GREEN PARTY

I am a professional dog-walker and have lived in the area for over 12 years. With experience in environmental science and the social sector, I am passionate about the community and green spaces in the ward and can often be found volunteering here. I believe that national solutions to environmental issues and social equality start at our doorstep. If elected, I will continue to fight for our green spaces and for adequate healthcare in the ward.

STUART BONAR - LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

Stuart Bonar works for a trade union representing frontline NHS staff. He wants to see better transport links for the city, as well as the council doing more to help those struggling to find affordable housing. He grew up in the city, and his family lives in Ham ward. He stood for election to Parliament in 2010 and 2015 in the constituency covering Ham ward.

CHARLIE CARSON - CONSERVATIVES

I’m standing this year for Plymouth city council because I want to bring fresh new ideas to the council and help to take full advantages presented by Brexit. As someone who has lived most of their life in the city, I want nothing more than to see our wonderful city and the Ham area thriving .I want to celebrate the rich culture and history that this city has and make Plymouth one of the best cities across the entire UK. This is on top of working with the othe rConservative councillors to deliver better jobs and wages.

EDWARD EVANS - TUSC

My name is Edward Evans. I am a retail worker in the city centre and I am from Plymouth. I have always loved how beautiful this city is, but in recent years I, like many Plymothians, have been concerned by the loss of many of our green spaces – the massive loss of trees on Armada Way, followed by the felling of palm trees on the Hoe and now the constant works in Central Park. The council have declared a climate emergency and yet our natural spaces have been diminished.

The cost of living crisis has hit people hard over the last two years and for many, as holidays become a luxury that is out of reach, our parks become more vital spaces for mental wellbeing and for play for our children.

I am standing for TUSC because continued council cuts from both the Conservatives and Labour over the last fourteen years has led to a decline in the quality of our green spaces, alongside a decline in all our other public services. If elected I would work to see these cuts reversed without increasing the burden placed on the people of Plymouth through council tax.

CHRIS HUDSON - REFORM UK

Born in Sheffield to a working class family. I joined the Royal Navy in 1974 and spent 33 years in Submarines, leaving in 2007 as an Electronic Engineer. After leaving the RN I joined a small software company in Kingsbridge. Retiring in 2020 just as COVID hit. I then went on to start my own small business making Number plates which I still continue to do. I have lived in Plymouth for 30 years and absolutely love it. However I don't like some of the decisions or the waste of money that the council have done.

STEPHEN HULME - INDEPENDENT

I believe Being a Councillor is such an honour and Privilege Being Independent hasn't prevented me carrying out my Role as a local Councillor since I was elected in 2021. In fact I've become a bigger Voice. I am someone who has a track record, raising residents issues and concerns also responding and listening when contacted regarding the 1000s of Pieces of Casework actioned and completed in the last 3yrs, in my Ward of Ham and Across the City of Plymouth, this is vital and is I believe a very important part of a Councillors Role, their are also other important roles a Councillor helps with and I'm always happy to assist, were I can.

I believe living in the Ward You Represent is Vital as it' gives you such an insight to you Constituents, and the area, Which I believe is so important, I've have lived in Ham since 2003,

I'm a family man with 5 children, going to local schools,where we live, I'm happy to help all who contact me and if Re Elected for a 2nd term it gives me an opportunity to carry on the vital work.

This would be such honour and a Privilege to be Re Elected, for the Ward of Ham were I live. And to be a Voice for Residents who I work so Hard for.

KATE TAYLOR - LABOUR

Kate Taylor is the Labour and Co-operative candidate for Ham ward. Kate was previously the Labour Councillor for Devonport for nine years, including being Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is passionate about improving social care and mental health services and working towards an end to homelessness.

"Having worked in the NHS, a homeless hostel and now for a Labour MP, I can see first-hand what good leadership means, and why Labour representation matters,” said Kate. “If the residents of Ham elect me in May, I promise to work tirelessly to improve the lives of everyone living in North Prospect, Weston Mill, Lower Ham, Pennycross and St Pancras."