Cambridge Labour party announces candidates for the May 2nd Local Elections, alongside their pledges for the election. 

Cambridge Labour party has released its full list of local election candidates at today’s Campaign Launch, held at Lichfield Road Community Hall, Coleridge. The local elections will be held on 2nd May, when a third of all City Council seats are up for election. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections will also be held on the same day. 

Labour candidates this year include existing and long-standing councillors, including Gerri Bird (East Chesterton) Mark Ashton (Cherry Hinton), Tim Griffin (Coleridge), Antoinette Nestor (Castle) and Cambridge Mayor Jenny Gawthrope Wood (King’s Hedges), as well as new candidates Yvonne Nobis (Newnham), Beth Gardiner-Smith (Queen Edith’s), and Ben Cartwright (Abbey). All incumbent councillors are re-standing in their wards, see the full list of candidates and wards below. 

Deputy Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Anna Smith has also been named as the Labour and Cooperative Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. 

Alongside the announcement of the candidates, Cambridge Labour has also released their local election pledges for 2024. These are: 

1. Protecting and enhancing local services 
2. Supporting residents in need and preventing homelessness 
3. Tackling the climate and biodiversity emergencies 
4. Building council homes and investing in community spaces 
5. Being a strong voice for the people of Cambridge 

MP Daniel Zeichner opened the event saying: 

“Speaking at a time when the world is a difficult place, we are confident when we say we are in a place to transform the country. We are approaching an important moment where we could see a Labour City Council, joint administration at the County Council, and Labour Mayor. The missing piece is a Labour Government! This is a real moment. Thank you for all your hard work.” 

He was followed by Mayor Dr Nik Johnson who said: 

“Cambridge is a red ruby of hope in a blue sea of desperation. Cambridge is an exemplar of what can be achieved with Labour in power. The Tory government has cut investment in our local councils and Combined Authorities. Communities know that we need investment in housing, in transport and all our public services and they are asking for it.” 

Speaking at the Campaign launch, Cllr Mike Davey, Leader of the City Council stated: 

“We have two years to demonstrate what we can do as a council and represent this fantastic city. I wish all the best for our new candidates who are joining us this year and delighted to welcome you to the Labour team. 

I am thrilled to announce our pledges for this year’s elections – pledges which highlight Labour’s core socialist values. Building housing and ending homelessness, fighting inequality and ensuring our residents are thriving. I’m so happy to welcome our returning and new candidates and look forward to supporting you all along the campaign.” 

Anna Smith, Police and Crime Commissioner candidate added: 

“As Deputy Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and a former city council leader here in Cambridge, I know what it takes to lead. I’ve been talking to Labour PCCs up and down the country and seen the huge difference a Labour PCC can make. We need a fresh start for policing in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Visible neighbourhood policing, joined-up work to prevent and cut crime, and a focus of ending the culture of violence. We need a commissioner who will work tirelessly to be a voice of the community, and who will fight for the resources our police service desperately needs.
Labour has a real chance to win this campaign. I vow to work tirelessly to serve the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough as their commissioner. Please vote Labour on May 2nd.”

2024 Local Election Labour Candidates: 

Abbey – Ben Cartwright 

Arbury – Patrick Sheil 

Castle – Antoinette Nestor 

Cherry Hinton – Mark Ashton 

Coleridge – Tim Griffin 

East Chesterton – Gerri Bird 

King’s Hedges – Jenny Gawthrope Wood 

Market – Rosy Greenlees 

Newnham – Yvonne Nobis 

Petersfield – Mike Davey 

Queen Edith’s – Beth Gardiner-Smith 

Romsey – Dave Baigent 

Trumpington – Carlos Toranzos 

West Chesterton – Sam Carling 

Police and Crime Commissioner – Anna Smith