Meet Jim Bradbury, Labour’s candidate for Penkhull and Stoke

I am a born and bred Stokie, who has lived and worked in the city all my life. I currently work for DHL in Stoke on the Nisa contract as a warehouse operative and have done so for 26 years. I also work on match days at Stoke City as a turnstile operative.

I was honoured to stand as a Labour candidate in this year’s local elections for the Penkhull & Stoke ward. I didn’t win but I came very close and, next time, I will win.

I decided to get involved in politics because I want to make a positive difference to people’s lives. I also see this as a natural progression from being a trade union representative, which is something I have done for the T&G initially and now Unite in my workplace for almost 20 years.

There have been many issues brought to my attention on the doorstep during my campaign so far. If I had to prioritise, I’d say with regard to Penkhull that parking and antisocial behaviour have been the 2 most common concerns mentioned to me by residents. Moving on to Stoke town centre, I’d have to say that the main priorities would have to be to try and reinvigorate the retail sector there and find an answer to the growing problem of homelessness. Nice and easy eh?

The passion and resilience of the local residents I have met on the doorstep never ceases to amaze me. Especially in the face of the ongoing cuts and austerity measures implemented by the Conservative and Independent coalition in Stoke-on-Trent.

The reason I became a Unite representative was because I wanted to improve the terms and conditions of my fellow colleagues and it is for a similar reason that I want to stand for council. I want to improve the lives of the residents I would represent if elected.

If I am successful in my campaign, I promise to give 100% and go about my role with integrity and empathy, consulting with residents at every opportunity. I would always make myself available to them and try and negotiate and achieve the best outcome for them in every instance.