West Leeds Dispatch\u00a0does not support any political party, but we do encourage all our readers to use their vote.<\/p>\n
Candidates have been asked for a statement of up to 300 words and a head and shoulders photograph to help you decide who to vote for. Here are their responses far \u2026<\/p>\n
Arlan Jones (Green Party)<\/p>\n
Address in Leeds<\/strong><\/p>\n Stephen McBarron (Labour)<\/p>\n Address in Leeds<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m standing in this election because I believe it\u2019s time to bring decency back to public life.<\/p>\n Too often, politics has become about point-scoring and division rather than respect, honesty and basic courtesy. That tone filters down and affects how people feel about their community and about each other. We can do better than that. <\/p>\n Public service should be about listening, understanding different views, and treating people with fairness and kindness \u2014 even when we disagree. <\/p>\n I\u2019ve lived and worked in Leeds all my life, and I care deeply about our communities and the pride people have in where they live. <\/p>\n That pride deserves to be matched by how decisions are made and how people are listened to. <\/p>\n If elected, I will work to secure extra resources to tackle anti-social behaviour in Pudsey, ensuring concerns are taken seriously and acted on so residents feel safe and supported in their neighbourhoods. I will also fight to ensure our armed forces veterans always get a square deal and the support they deserve. <\/p>\n I want to see tighter restrictions on the sale of fireworks, alongside promoting the use of silent fireworks. This is about being considerate \u2014 reducing distress for pets, wildlife and those who find fireworks overwhelming, while still allowing people to celebrate responsibly. <\/p>\n Public life doesn\u2019t need to be harsh to be effective. It can be decent, measured and rooted in everyday concerns. That\u2019s the approach I will bring.<\/p>\n Richard Robinson (Reform UK)<\/p>\n Address in Leeds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Simon Seary (Conservative)<\/p>\n 4 Victoria Rise, Pudsey, LS28 7SU<\/strong><\/p>\n You want the basics done well: Cleaner streets, better roads, and a community we can all feel proud of.<\/p>\n Over the past eight years, in response to your requests, that\u2019s what I\u2019ve focused on and work hard to deliver. <\/p>\n Together we\u2019ve installed 90 new bins across our area; helping tackle litter and keep our streets cleaner. We\u2019ve pushed for improvements to local roads which are crumbling and we\u2019ve got a plan for an extra \u00a35m to fix the pothole backlog. <\/p>\n And we\u2019re investing in things that bring pride back to our community and strengthen our growing high street, from better Christmas lights to improved parks.<\/p>\n But too often Labour-run Leeds City Council has taken decisions that have hurt our area. When that\u2019s happened, I\u2019ve stood up for Pudsey, Swinnow and Tyersal \u2013 leading campaigns to challenge those decisions and protect what matters locally, from Pudsey Park\u2019s Glasshouse to our Town Hall.<\/p>\n This is my home. I was born here, married in Swinnow, and I\u2019m raising my family here. I care deeply about making sure our area is never taken for granted and will always have a strong voice.<\/p>\n There\u2019s more to do. I will continue fighting for investment in our area, standing up for local services, and focusing on the everyday issues that matter to residents.<\/p>\n This election is a clear choice. A Labour councillor wouldn\u2019t challenge decisions made in Leeds about our town. We can keep building on the progress we\u2019ve made, with a councillor focused on delivering for our area or risk going backwards with less focus on the issues that affect us here.<\/p>\n On 7 May, your vote will decide the direction we take. If you want Pudsey, Tyersal and Swinnow to keep moving forward, I\u2019m asking for your support. Vote for Simon Seary.<\/p>\n Jennifer Wilson (Liberal Democrats)<\/p>\n Address in Leeds.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image0-e1775634082902-708x900.jpg\")
Stephen McBarron.<\/p>\n![\"simon](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/simon-seary-597x900.jpg\")
Simon Seary.<\/p>\n\n