The candidates have now been announced for the local elections on May 2 Those running for Rye Town Council are as follows:
David Ampthill (Lord Ampthill, retiring RDC councillor for Rye)
David Bookless (Labour Party, Chairman Rye Conservation Society)
Michael Boyd (current mayor)
John Breeds (Independent, former mayor)
Jonathan Breeds (Independent, former mayor)
Cheryl Creaser (Labour Party)
Rebekah Gilbert (current deputy mayor)
Chris Hoggart (Independent)
Patricia Hughes (runs Rye Community Transport)
Jo Kirkham (Independent, former mayor)
Sue Learoyd Smith (Labour Party)
Ian Potter (Independent)
Andi Rivett
Shaun Rogers (Independent, former mayor)
Sam Souster (Labour Party, former mayor)
Andrew Stuart
Sam Wood (Independent)
There are 17 candidates for 16 places on the town council. As things stand an election would be needed, for which the town would need to pay, to decide who was the least popular candidate. If, however, one candidate decided not to stand, then no election would be needed and the town would be spared that cost.
Where they have been declared, the political affiliations are shown. It is, however, only the Labour Party that insists its members stand as Labour candidates. Whether party politics is appropriate at town or parish level is a discussion perhaps for another article.
Candidates standing for Rother District Council (RDC) are:
Cheryl Creaser (Labour Party)
Ruth Green (UKIP, resides in Bexhill)
Chris Hoggart (Independent)
Jonathan Lee (Labour Party)
Howard Norton (Liberal Democrat Party)
Gennette Stevens (Conservative Party and current RDC councillor)
Jayne Stevens (Conservative Party)
Over the next few weeks Rye News will be contacting all the candidates to find out how they each propose to contribute to the community during their period of office, if elected.
