We were told by a local news outlet that the following was going to be published yesterday. However, as of today it’s not on the website and there is no explanation for this. As it’s polling day, we are publishing this article here.

I’m Clare Wildey, standing as your Labour candidate for Beverley Rural.

I was born and raised in this area and serve as a local town councillor in Beverley so I know the needs and challenges faced by both the town and the surrounding areas and local villages. 

Two of the biggest challenges people in our rural areas face are transport and housing. The Conservatives on East Riding Council together with this government are failing them on every level.

People living on the lowest earnings in our villages spend nearly twice as much per week on transport costs as those who live in cities. One in five rural-based students considers dropping out of further education because they can’t afford the costs, transport being one of their main expenses. We also know that inadequate transport is the single biggest barrier to finding work.

I support the recommendations of CPRE which include continuing the current emergency funding for bus operations which is due to end in October, building back a transformed rural bus network under a properly regulated system with funding to enable an ‘every village, every hour’ network.

We know housing is urgently needed, but East Riding Council’s plans for housing favour developers to the detriment of affordable housing, especially in smaller communities which need to maintain population to remain viable. Mass housing is being dumped in and around Beverley without regard to the need to provide services and supporting infrastructure. I will challenge those decisions and be a voice for rational development that supports rather than swamps our communities.

As a town councillor in Beverley I have witnessed and challenged the financial incompetence of the LibDems who have delivered nothing for the town while sitting on reserves of nearly £800,000. They have been heavily criticised by their External Auditor for failing to comply with their own financial regulations and basic statutory requirements. The gas bill debacle has been another LibDem financial fiasco. At ERYC, what have LibDem ward councillors done to challenge the lack of transparency and reported bullying? They deliver endless leaflets at election time, but no tangible benefits for local residents once elected. 

Local people need an experienced voice of opposition to be heard at County Hall; a voice that has a track record of calling out bad decisions and bad management in local government. I will bring that voice – my voice – to speak out for the residents of Beverley Rural.