Latest news with #BBCPoliticsNorthWest
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Runcorn and Helsby by-election candidates' minute manifestos
A by-election is taking place in the Cheshire constituency of Runcorn and Helsby on 1 May, following the resignation of the previous MP Mike total, 15 people are standing to be the seat's next MP. We asked each candidate to send a minute-long video about why they were can see them each below in alphabetical order by candidate surname. Catherine Blaiklock, English Democrats Dan Clarke, Liberal Party Chris Copeman, Green Party Paul Duffy, Liberal Democrats Peter Ford, Workers Party of Britain Howling Laud Hope, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party The Official Monster Raving Loony Party have been asked to provide a minute manifesto. Sean Houlston, Conservatives Jason Hughes, Volt UK Alan McKie, independent Graham Moore, English Constitution Party Paul Murphy, Social Democratic Party Sarah Pochin, Reform UK Karen Shore, Labour John Stevens, Rejoin EU Michael Williams, Independent Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
28-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Runcorn and Helsby by-election Green candidate announced
The Green Party has revealed its candidate in the contest for the parliamentary seat left vacant by the resignation of MP Mike Amesbury. Chris Copeman, the leader of the Greens on Cheshire West and Chester Borough Councillor, who represents Helsby Ward, will stand in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election on 1 May."This by-election is an opportunity for a real shake up," he resigned after he received a prison sentence - which was later suspended - for assault. Copeman, 54, who is a vet, was first elected to the council in 2023 and is one of two Greens who sit on said housing is at the heart of his agenda and he is determined to tackle the housing crisis, particularly in Runcorn, where a lack of affordable, social and good-quality homes is pushing families into despair. "Everyone deserves a secure place to live," he is one of six candidates who have declared so are Paul Duffy (Liberal Democrats), Peter Ford (Workers Party of Britain), Sean Houlston (Conservative), Sarah Pochin (Reform UK), Karen Shore (Labour). Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reform name candidate for by-election
Reform UK have chosen their candidate for the upcoming Runcorn and Helsby by-election. Sarah Pochin, a former Cheshire East councillor, will stand for the party at the election, which is expected to take place on 1 May. She said the party stood for "family, community and country," and she had "dedicated her life" to upholding those values. The by-election has been triggered by the resignation of Mike Amesbury, following him receiving a suspended prison sentence for assault. Sarah Pochin was a councillor for the Cheshire East authority from 2015 until 2023, and was mayor of the council from 2021 to 2022. She was first elected as a councillor for the Conservatives, before being expelled by the party in 2020, after a row over her nomination as mayor. She later joined the authority's Independent group, but was suspended for rejoining the national Conservative party, ahead of the leadership election. Ms Pochin, who has worked for companies in the energy and chemicals sector as well as the DIY industry, also spent 20 years as a Justice of the Peace. At the 2024 general election, Reform came second with 18.1% of the vote share. Labour won with 52.9% and the Conservatives came third with 16%. Labour, the Conservatives, the Green Party, the Liberal Democrats and the Workers Party have all announced their candidates for the election. Runcorn and Helsby by-election - full list of candidates Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer. Runcorn and Helsby by-election - all you need to know
BBC News
23-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Why e-scooters divide Liverpool people after five years
They've been a part of Liverpool life for five years, but as the city council prepares to extend an e-scooter hire scheme, how do people in the city feel about the coral pink vehicles?E-scooters were introduced for people in Liverpool to hire in 2020, as part of a Department for Transport pilot to provide alternatives to public transport during the pandemic as well as trialling low-carbon ways to pilot scheme in Liverpool has been extended to 2026, and is currently operated by a company called Voi. The city council is looking to extend the scheme across the whole city, and possibly allow people to hire scooters around the clock. At the moment they can be rented between the hours of 06:00 GMT and 00:00. Plans are expected to be approved this week. Scooters divide opinion in the guide Richard MacDonald told BBC Politics North West scooters were a great way to travel to work, and to see the city in a different way. He said: "I tend to use them when I need to get somewhere quickly and other forms of transport have let me down." He added that he welcomed any extension to the scheme's operating hours. "On a Sunday morning, if there's a cruise ship in and I have to get there nice and early to give those tourists a fabulous day out in Liverpool, I'd use an e-scooter for that journey." 'Misuse' He said there was always a danger that the public could misuse e-scooters but added that they were proven to be safe if ridden correctly."They are geo-fenced so there are places where you can't ride them," he added, and said the scooters automatically slowed down in certain not just the Voi scooters which are a regular feature on Liverpool's roads though. Other types of e-scooters are becoming increasingly popular, but there's a hitch: It's illegal to ride a privately owned scooter on public land, a fact that many people don't realise."I think the illegal ones are giving the legal ones a bad press" Mr MacDonald said."They aren't regulated, the batteries can cause fires, you're not ensured on them. The legal ones you have to sign up with your driving licence."It's an issue Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell is aware of."What we are seeing is people buying scooters which are not part of the pilot scheme in Liverpool, and thinking they can use them the same way, but that's not what the legislation says."Any other type of scooter which is not owned by Voi cannot be ridden on public land."She added: "I think there is some education to be done - private scooters can only be used on private land." Voi and the police were working closely on the issues around the misuse of hiring scooters Ms Spurrell said, adding the police would continue to advise people using illegal e-scooters not to use them in public the e-scooter pilot has not been welcomed by everyone in Ditchfield, from Anfield, is visually impaired and said she and her guide dog Dottie loathe e-scooters."You can't hear them coming, to me they seem very fast and even when they are behind you, the drivers don't ring a bell or make a noise." She added the inconsiderate way some users left them once they'd finished riding was frustrating."I think people need to be made more aware of how to use them and park them properly."Sometimes people leave them parked across the tactile paving that me and other visually impaired people with a cane or guide dog is meant to cross."She said Dottie, her black Labrador, had often had to navigate scooters parked inconsiderately on the the extra traffic on the streets and pavements has put the pair off visiting the city centre. "I used to be in town all the time, but it's got too stressful," Ms Ditchfield more on this watch BBC Politics North West on iPlayer. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
14-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cheshire and Warrington: Devolution to 'turbocharge' area, says minister
Devolution will provide a "huge opportunity" for Cheshire and Warrington and "turbocharge" local growth, a minister has said on a visit to the and Warrington is one of six areas chosen for a fast-track deal by joining the government's devolution priority for English Devolution, Jim McMahon, met leaders of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington councils, as well as apprentices at one of the area's and Warrington is set to elect its first mayor in May 2026. On a visit to Cheshire College South and West's Ellesmere Port campus, Mr McMahon said devolution would help "turbocharge" work already under way."There's a huge opportunity here to take on powers over key areas like skills and planning that will help drive local growth and job creation," he of the three authorities previously said devolution was a "once in a generation" opportunity for the area."Devolution for Cheshire & Warrington means more decisions made locally, by the people who know our area best—not centrally driven from Westminster," they said. "It means local leaders will make the important decisions about our area that matter most to our residents, communities and businesses." Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
