Sound the trumpets and pass the gravy – it’s 1st May, which means it’s Polling Day! If you’ve not already ambled, shuffled, or power-walked your way to the local polling station, here’s your official reminder: go vote. Yes, YOU. The one reading this while waiting for the kettle to boil or hiding in the loo from the kids.
Local elections might not have the razzle-dazzle of a general election, but they really do matter. This is your chance to pick someone who’s going to be sorting potholes, shouting about your bus service, and ideally not ignoring you when the bins go feral.
So who’s standing for Croome Division (that’s us, by the way – covering Kempsey, Severn Stoke, Upton-upon-Severn and the other lovely surrounding bits)? Let’s take a look at the runners and riders in this democracy derby:
Martin Allen – Green Party
Tagline: Navy veteran, community champion, part-time daffodil spotter
Martin’s your current County Councillor, and he’s hoping to hang onto the gig. With a background in the Royal Navy during the Falklands, he’s no stranger to navigating stormy waters – both literally and politically.
Covers: All the important bits – Kempsey, Upton, Pear Tree Fields, etc.
What he stands for: Stability, community service, and continuing to do the job he’s already doing (which people seem to like, judging by the daffodils and Facebook comments).
Juma Begum – Labour Party
Tagline: “Check the Labour policies!”
We couldn’t find a personal statement from Juma, so we’ll just assume they’ve got a deep love for social justice, fair wages, and perhaps a fondness for strong tea.
What they stand for: All the good red stuff – NHS support, fairer funding, and probably fewer potholes.
John Drage – Liberal Democrats
Tagline: “Policy? See national website!”
Not big on personal campaigning, but if you like Lib Dem policies – think localism, fair education, and being ever-so-slightly furious about Brexit – then John’s your man.
What he stands for: Middle-of-the-road common sense with a hint of yellow zest.
Sarah McDermott – Conservative and Unionist Party
Tagline: “Born and bred in Upton – proud of it!”
Sarah’s campaign leans heavily on her Upton roots – she’s from the Harker family, which might mean something to you if you’ve lived around here a while.
What she stands for: Local tradition, community heritage, and (presumably) Tory policies.
Russ Varley – Reform UK
Tagline: “No more houses, more doctor hours!”
Russ is coming in hot with a list of very clear, very shouty policies:
- Stop building houses (especially the ones near your back garden)
- Build that long-promised £1M sports centre in Kempsey
- Extend GP hours
- Improve buses from Upton to Worcester
- Get proper rural crime funding
What he stands for: No-nonsense, boots-on-the-ground local stuff. No waffle. Just blunt tools and bold claims.
Why it matters (and why you should put pants on and go vote)
Local Councillors don’t just pose for photo-ops and argue about hedgerows – they control the stuff you actually care about: roads, rubbish, schools, planning applications, and why your bus only comes twice a week and smells faintly of sadness.
So have your say, grab your poll card (or just your ID), and pop down to the village hall or church hall or converted cricket pavilion. It’s quick, easy, and secretly quite satisfying.
Voting: the only legal way to complain AND feel smug at the same time.
See you at the ballot box – we’ll be the ones humming the Countdown theme while trying to fold our ballots the right way.
Want to know where your polling station is? Got questions about candidates? Left your ID in the fruit bowl? Check the official council website or just knock on your politically informed neighbour’s door. (You know the one.)
Go vote. You’ll earn the right to moan all year. Winner winner chicken dinner.
