Cambridgeshire Labour has combined experience of running the County Council with fresh talent, in its first announcement of candidates for the elections to Cambridgeshire County Council, due to be held in May. 

Candidates being unveiled today (Tuesday 28 January) in the City of Cambridge, Fenland, East Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, include the current Labour leadership team in the Council’s Joint Administration, plus new candidates drawn from business, education, local community volunteering and military service. 

The May elections will see Labour seeking to extend joint control of the County Council which it won four years ago, as well as seeking to re-elect a Labour Mayor for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. 

“As we approach a period of negotiation about the future shape of local government in the county and seek to continue to improve the Council’s services working with the new Government, Labour is best placed to maximise opportunities and influence to serve the interest of local people,” 

Chair of Labour’s Cambridgeshire Local Government Committee, Cllr Richard Howitt said, in making the announcement. 

Labour leader in the County Council, Cllr Elisa Meschini added:

“With Labour in power, we have made a real difference to the most vulnerable residents of our county, from providing free school meals over the holidays to ensuring we pay the real living wage across all our sectors. With a Labour government now in Westminster, we can enact even more lasting and positive change to the lives of those who need us the most and I am looking forward to a positive, uplifting campaign.”

 

The first tranche of candidates being announced today is as follows:

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE 

Abbey – THOMAS RON

Active local campaigner who brings lived experience of autism and dyspraxia to local politics. Professional experience in research and public affairs, currently Campaigns Officer at the consumer protection organisation, ‘Which?’.

Arbury – MIKE BLACK

Helped lead campaigns on better care homes in the county, improved pay for the council’s disabled workers and ethical investment of pension savings. Professional experience enforcing the National Minimum Wage and currently a Cambridge Punt Chauffeur. 

Castle – ELIZABETH McWILLIAMS 

Parish Council Chair who won ‘White Ribbon’ accreditation for combating domestic violence against women and girls. Professional experience as Alumni and Events Officer at a Cambridge college.

Cherry Hinton – BRYONY GOODLIFFE

Labour Chair of the County Council’s work on children in care and education, championing young people’s voice in local services. Professional experience as a Child and Adolescent Counsellor in Primary and Secondary Schools.  

King’s Hedges – ELISA MESCHINI 

Labour Group leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, responsible for delivering major transport infrastructure projects to boost public transport access for all. Labour’s lead on finance and business. Professional experience in academic publishing. 

Market – NICK GAY 

University Professor who is Labour lead on environment and green investment in the County Council, spearheading efforts promote renewable energy, disinvest from fossil fuels and to protect nature. 

Petersfield – RICHARD HOWITT 

Deputy Labour Group leader and Labour Chair of the County Council’s work on adult social care and public health, responsible for bringing in the Real Living Wage for care workers. Former Member of the European Parliament and disability rights charity worker.

Romsey – NEIL SHAILER 

Labour’s lead driving improvements to roads and transport, a cycling champion who has spearheaded efforts to promote healthier and more environmentally friendly travel. Grew up on a farm and a biologist in professional life.

Trumpington – CARLOS F. TORANZOS

Committed to Trumpington, standing for local election for the fourth time in the ward. Emeritus  University Lecturer and trade union representative, an active volunteer with Fair Bite Trumpington, (former Food Hub).

 

EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Littleport – REBECCA DENNESS

City of Ely Councillor, former Parliamentary Candidate, Deputy Mayor and career civil servant. Interests include psychology, transport and accessibility for disabled people. 

Waterbeach – JAMES BULL

Former parliamentary candidate and local government worker, who serves as national officer in the public service trade union, UNISON. Established and ran a local Mutual Aid group from the onset of the Covid pandemic. 

 

FENLAND

Chatteris – JAMIE EAMES 

Is an Army Veteran, with professional experience in Geospatial Data Science. An active campaigner, responsible for political education and community outreach.

Wisbech West – GEORGE BROUGHTON 

Works in family law at a local solicitor’s, with significant experience helping victims of domestic abuse. Co-founder of and activist with a local charity providing meals to people in food poverty, for which he won the ‘Pride in Fenland’ award.

 

HUNTINGDONSHIRE

Huntingdon North and Hartford – LUKE VINER

Huntingdon resident, active local campaigner and community champion. Former Parish Councillor and current member of a local wind orchestra. Professional experience working in the tech and security sector.

St Ives South and Needingworth – ALEX BULAT

Huntingdonshire resident, Labour’s lead on libraries, support for families and new residents, adult education and community grants at the County Council, and the first British-Romanian County Councillor in the country.

 

This is the first of a rolling programme of announcements, with further Labour candidates to be unveiled soon.