Hello I’m Julie Pattison, the Reform UK parliamentary candidate for Bolton South and Walkden.

Full statement

I have lived in Kearsley all my life and in 2018 I was a co-founder of Farnworth and Kearsley First, which was formed by a group of residents who were fed up of being let down by our local politicians and watching a once great area fall into decline. I joined Reform UK in 2022 out of sheer frustration over the treatment of our towns by the ruling parties. We have had a Labour MP for 12 years and seen no improvement or fight.

I have strong connections in Bolton South and Walkden through work, friends and family.

My working career has always been in the care/charity sectors. Being a lifelong learner and passionate about social justice, I have a deep sense of empathy for the needs of some of the most vulnerable in society and can identify with many people who are let down under the current system. Working with grass roots has given me the ability to see first-hand the impact our government has had on working families. We have all felt the negative impact of lack of access to GP's, NHS, housing, inflation (IE tax rises, energy rises), failing education and with no sign of improvement.

Any politician that stands proud to cut the red ribbon when they are announcing another food bank opening, should hang their heads in shame. It is for these reasons why I joined Reform, as I worry about what kind of future my grandchildren will have.

I am not a career politician; I am just a working-class lass from the North. I am doing this because I want better for our towns and future generations.

If I am blessed to be gifted your vote I promise to fight for improvement and be your voice.