With the upcoming local elections in May approaching, the Liberal Democrats have announced a full slate of candidates to contest all 47 council seats in York, alongside launching their ‘Focus on Five’ manifesto themes for the campaign.

The Focus on Five outlines five policy themes that the Liberal Democrats will campaign on and feature in their manifesto.  With the prospect of more Liberal Democrat Councillors elected to the City of York Council, the Liberal Democrats will focus on delivering:

• Make York cleaner, greener and smarter: by setting up a new service to tackle fly-tipping, clean our streets and enforce against illegal parking.   We will also deliver York’s Clean Air Zone, the city’s first climate commission and encourage sustainable transport.
• Create safer communities: by expanding neighbourhood enforcement, establishing a Crime Prevention Fund for all wards to spend on creating safer spaces and tackling anti-social behaviour.  We will also secure Purple Flag accreditation for an improved city centre.
• Build the homes York needs: Over the next four years, we will deliver more affordable homes, including Council-owned homes, to help everyone in the city, including young families and key workers.  We will protect York’s special character by adopting a Local Plan and continue our campaign for a ‘Fair Deal for York.’
• Give York’s children a better start: We will create a new community activities scheme for young people and families, support our local libraries, expand apprenticeships, protect York’s vital Children Centres and increase investment in young people’s mental health services.
• Improve the economy for all: by continuing to deliver major projects such as York Central, as well as strengthening the city’s economy through supporting business, investing in our roads, increasing investment to all of our high streets and explore opportunities for a York ‘Tourist Levy.’

With a full slate of candidates ready to contest this year’s elections, the Liberal Democrats are the first party to announce all 47 candidates. The full manifesto will be revealed at a later point before May, providing greater detail on the Liberal Democrat plan for the city.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said:

“I am delighted to announce that the Liberal Democrats will be fielding 47 candidates to contest all council seats in the city and to coincide with this, launch our Focus on Five; five policy themes for the upcoming elections.”

“Our candidates come from a variety of different backgrounds, including teaching, campaigning in the community, service in the armed forces, science and floristry.”

“With more Liberal Democrat Councillors elected to the Council, we are determined to make York cleaner, greener and smarter; create safer communities; build more homes; give the city’s children a better start and improve York’s economy for all.”

For further information on the Liberal Democrat Council candidates for the upcoming local elections, please visit here: www.yorklibdems.org.uk/elections2019.

For detail on the Focus on Five, please visit: www.yorklibdems.org.uk/focusonfive.