Candidates in an upcoming council by-election in Bristol have faced tough questions from voters during a lively hustings. They were pressed on topics like the Western Harbour redevelopment and budget cuts, while each tried to persuade voters to back them on February 2.
Voters in Hotwells and Harbourside will head to the polls in a fiercely fought by-election on Thursday, February 2. The by-election was sparked after the incumbent Liberal Democrat Councillor Alex Hartley stepped down due to health concerns.
About 60 people gathered in the school hall at Hotwells Primary School on Tuesday, January 17, to hear from three of the candidates to replace Cllr Hartley, in a hustings organised by the Hotwells and Cliftonwood Community Association. The Tory candidate did not attend, while independent candidate Martin Booth has announced he is dropping out of the race.
Read more: Important dates for Bristol by-election and list of candidates
Labour’s candidate is Eileen Means, a social worker and former councillor for Brislington. She said she was the “only candidate who lives in the ward”, and in one of the several apartment blocks with flammable cladding. Many residents have been hit with huge increases in service charges to pay for repairs as well as insurance costs.
She said: “I’ve got skin in the game. Many of the blocks have got cladding problems and other fire problems. This is the big platform that I’m standing on. There’s a lot of issues in the ward but the reason I’m standing is falling asleep when you’re worrying about somebody leaving a candle on, it’s a bit scary.”
The Liberal Democrat’s candidate is Stephen Williams, a former MP, government minister and councillor for the area. He said he would bring the most political experience of any of the candidates, and speak out against plans for apartment towers on the Cumberland Basin as part of the Western Harbour redevelopment.
He said: “This is probably the most fascinating ward and that’s why I thought I would jump at the chance and come back into the fray, and offer to residents the experiences that I’ve built over 30 years. The proposals for the Cumberland Basin are a real danger to this community and to the whole city as well. It’ll be Manhattan-on-Avon if that plan goes ahead.”
The Green’s candidate is Patrick McAllister, a climate science graduate who works in legal services. He said he would push for more green spaces in the ward and pedestrian crossings on busy roads. He added the Greens have 24 councillors in City Hall while Liberal Democrats have just five, so electing him would give residents a greater say in the council chamber.
He said: “Voting for a Green councillor is just not voting for me, but for 25 experienced and expert Green councillors across our city. Regardless of what happens in this by-election, they [Liberal Democrats] do not have the numbers to make effective change in our city. Alongside my colleagues, I can deliver for Hotwells and Harbourside.”
On the controversial Western Harbour redevelopment, which could see the ageing road bridges replaced and thousands of new homes built, Mr McAllister and Mr Williams both warned against building so many apartments on land that’s at risk of flooding. Ms Means however said the bridges needed replacing, which were “close to the end of their lives”.
On the dilapidated Jacob's Wells Baths building, which the council owns but whose future is uncertain, Mr McAllister said the best option would be as a new community centre for the Hotwells and Harbourside area, while Mr Williams warned the building would cost millions to repair. Ms Means said Labour was talking with the Trinity Centre about fixing up the building.
The candidates also faced questions on dealing with rubbish and graffiti, controversial developments at the SS Great Britain and Baltic Wharf, bringing more shops onto Hotwells Road, tackling climate change, bus gate plans for Cumberland Road, and cuts to the council’s budget. The full two-hour hustings was recorded by the community association, and will be uploaded for voters to watch online at a later date.
