Wetherby and Easingwold: Ben Pickles, Labour Party

Boroughbridge, Spofforth and a large part of the Vale of York now fall within the new Wetherby and Easingwold constituency. Here, Labour candidate Ben Pickles sets out his priorities in the first of a series of policy statements written by the candidates standing for election in the constituency on July 4. 

After 14 years of chaos, our bills are higher, standard of living is lower, and we need change.

I understand how challenging things can be. I was a council estate kid here in Yorkshire, growing up with a single mum. I was the first in my family to go to university, graduating in politics. I was a teenage parent, Georgina and I having our first child at 19.

We need more voices like this in Parliament that understand what it is like in those situations, and therefore understand the support people need to succeed.

Economy

You may have had your mortgage/rent rise due to choices by Alec Shelbrooke and Liz Truss. They chose to ignore the experts and gamble with the economy – and gamble with our livelihoods.

As your MP I will always put country first. Any Labour policy introduced will be costed. We cannot improve public services without a strong, growing economy. I will seek involvement from local industry in these plans for growth.

Our country remains too centralised; Northern places have had their economic potential – and the communities within them – ignored. A Labour government will unlock this potential, unleash this growth and improve living standards.

Towns

Northern high streets need new life. I support Labour's plans to roll out banking hubs on our re-energised high streets, ensuring face-to-face banking for local businesses/customers – especially those who face difficulties with online banking.

I want to see local shops thriving; I back replacing business rates with a system of business property taxation – levelling the playing field between our high streets and online giants.

I support allowing communities a 'right to buy' premises such as empty pubs, shops and community spaces. We aim to end the blight of neglected sites on our high streets.

Education

As a teacher at a local secondary school, I experience personally these problems: swathes of schools without enough staff, in subjects like maths and physics. I advocate for 6,500 new teachers, ensuring enough specialists are educating our young people.

I support plans for free breakfast clubs in every primary school, improving attendance, behaviour and learning.

I will be a strong voice for children with SEND [special educational needs and disability]: I see first-hand what those students need to thrive, and will work alongside communities ensuring we improve expertise in mainstream and special schools.

If you want that change and more, vote for it on July 4.

The candidates for the Wetherby and Easingwold constituency are:

• John Hall, Yorkshire Party
• Mike Jordan, Reform UK
• James Monaghan, Liberal Democrats
• Ben Pickles, Labour
• Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative
• Arnold Warneken, Green Party