I am standing in the Cleadon Village and East Boldon ward for the elections on Thursday 7 May 2026.

Full statement

The Liberal Democrats have significant representation in various parts of Tyne and Wear and in County Durham, but for some reason not in South Tyneside. It is vital that this lack of representation is addressed.

The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.

Local government has suffered from many years of underfunding, resulting in weakened services, which struggle to meet needs. We need to fight for greater local autonomy and devolution. We need to ensure that new housing developments, which are desperately needed, are planned carefully with adequate infrastructure, that South Tyneside's contribution to the transition to renewable energy is made while avoiding harm to the environment, that the crises in health and social care are resolved on a cross-party and no-party consensus and that our local living environments are safe, secure and areas which we can be proud of. I encourage local people to get engaged and do their bit.

Printed (Hosted) by Democracy Club, Published and Promoted by Dr Phil Barron, Liberal Democrats, 3 Baldwin Avenue, East Boldon NE36 0EL