A by-election for the vacant Ashton seat on Wigan Council will be contested by three candidates next month following the death of the popular and much-loved Coun Anthony Sykes. The 51-year-old was well known among local residents for riding his Harley Davidson, shredding the guitar in his band and his hands-on approach to work – even delivering groceries to people on his motorbike during the Covid lockdown.
Elected in 2018 as a Labour councillor, he was involved in many campaigns in his ward. Tributes poured in for the ‘adored’ character following his death at the end of September - which left his council seat vacant.
Labour’s Andrew Bullen, Conservative Paul Martin and Liberal Democrat Geoffrey Matthews will battle it out for votes to fill the vacancy in what is currently an all Labour ward.
READ MORE: 'Give me your money or I'll take you to the moors and you'll never be seen again'
Here are the candidates vying for Ashton residents’ votes:
Andrew Bullen, Labour
He is a community activist known for being involved in community litter picks, working with local charities, and the 'Ashton Levelling Up' group who are working on proposals to improve the town centre. The National Trust member with a keen interest in the local environment has also served as a board member for 30 years and is the current Chair of the Ashton Linen and Woollen Stock Charity.
"I'm looking forward to meeting as many people as possible during this campaign,” Andrew said. “As a local resident, I know that times are difficult for so many in our local community with rising energy, food and mortgage bills.
"That's why I will be campaigning for a fair share of resources for Ashton. On Thursday, December 15 voters will have a chance to pass a verdict on this chaotic Tory Government who have crashed the economy."
Paul Martin, Conservative
Wanting to be a voice for local people and give them a say in the Labour controlled council, Paul vows to make road improvements and crack down on anti-social behaviour. He also wants to campaign to help regenerate Ashton town centre which he believes has been neglected by the council - a hot topic in the area currently.
“This election is about local issues,” Paul said. “I am campaigning to repair footpaths, fix potholes, congestion, clearing up our grots spots, improving road safety and to crack down on crime including anti-social behaviour.
“I will also campaign to regenerate Ashton town centre. It is shameful how Wigan’s Labour Council have neglected Ashton town centre for years. It is time to reverse Ashton’s decline under Labour.
“I have spoken to many residents in the last few weeks and it is clear they feel that Labour have taken them for granted for far too long. Ashton needs a Councillor that will speak up for residents and challenge Wigan’s Labour controlled Council when they are failing residents.
“Many Ashton residents do not currently feel they get value for money from the Council Tax they pay to Wigan Council. I will stand up for local people to ensure we get our fair share from Labour-controlled Wigan.
“This election won’t change control of the Council, but you can send a message to Labour that they can’t take you or our local community for granted any longer, forcing them to sit up and listen to your concerns.”
Geoffrey Matthews, Liberal Democrats
The former engineer has taken on board the words of his colleague Erwin Seitz who told him ‘you get things done where others fail‘. This came during Geoff’s leaving presentation after 17 years of employment with a multi-national industrial organisation.
Born and raised in Wigan has worked as a chartered engineer across the UK, France and Germany, Canada, South Africa and China. However, his community involvement dates back to the late 1980s, in Southampton, where his voluntary work included Sheltered Housing Association social activities, ‘Soup For The Homeless’ weekly distribution and Church Youth Group leadership.
“An ‘alternative analysis’ perspective guides Geoff’s thinking on most subjects including society related themes, which he likes to muse over with friends, good food and a little lubrication,” a Lib Dem representative said. Since 2018, Geoff has been a local election candidate in Ashton Ward.
The election will take place on Thursday, December 15. The last chance to register to vote for this council election is November 29. The eventual winner will have to go through another election just over five months after gaining a seat. This is because every council seat will be up for grabs in May 2023 when the all out local elections go ahead.
Applications to register to vote can be made online: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Get more of today's headlines here
READ NEXT:
- Greater Manchester Police took EIGHT hours to respond to 999 call about 'suicidal woman' who was later found dead
- Manchester United hooligans fight their OWN fans in moments ahead of Old Trafford chaos
- Inside Manchester's abandoned iconic building that's been left derelict for years
- Local coffee shop's fury as Costa opens third chain in neighbourhood
- Manchester United hooligans fight their OWN fans in moments ahead of Old Trafford chaos
