Sara Wilson, our Ilfracombe candidate
I went to school here and my kids did too. My family live in the town, my parents had a hotel here and I served as the manager of Ilfracombe Museum for 11 years so I know the town’s unique history and the stories of its people.
But most importantly, I know its potential. I love my town and its friendly close knit community and think we all deserve better.
I was a town councillor from 2019-23 and am current a district councillor for Ifracombe West ward. All this experience tells me that we face many challenges so I want to do more. That’s why I’m standing for the County Council.
I will work hard to represent Ilfracombe at county level because I want to see change for the better. I want to see our town and all its people flourish. I know we can do it if we all work together and take the practical steps we need to see real and lasting change.
Read more from Sara HERE>
Howard Porter, our Barnstaple North candidate
My wife and I moved to Barnstaple almost six years ago and we love living her.
But we can’t ignore the fact that the area has problems. We need better infrastructure including public transport and cycle provision. Roads are neglected with potholes and inadequate road markings, signs aren’t cleaned and pavements are not maintained as they should be.
In short, we need more investment. The town is better off than some places and I welcome the investment from the Future High Street Fund and Arts Council England to improve the town centre and cultural scene. This is a driver of regeneration, helping to improve wellbeing for residents and boost our visitor economy.
But we need more. It is hard for local people to find affordable housing but we see masses of speculative building that is out of reach for most people.
Dentistry is a problem. I haven’t been able to get an NHS dentist since we moved here and the private sector is massively expensive. In fact, if you want to see what a privatised health services, as advocated by some parties in this election, would look like, look no further than dentists.
North Devon District Hospital is a wonderful institution. I know first hand as I’ve spent several weeks being treated there. But it’s aging and facilities are no longer adequate for what we need. So, I was delighted to hear about the plans to build us a new hospital but, like everybody reading this, I was bitterly disappointed when the new Labour government pulled the plug. We must continue fighting for this much needed investment.
Social services are in permanent crisis, there aren’t enough opportunities for young people, many of whom have no choice but to leave the area to build their careers and people really struggle with the cost of living.
Devon County Council has not been robust enough fighting for the people of Devon. We need to change that. I appreciate the mess Labour inherited from the Tories but we can find the resources. In the short term we need to introduce a 2% wealth tax on the very richest in our country. Better this than making the worst off pay through, for example withdrawing PIPs. In the longer term, we need to look again at how government is financed. As the economist John Maynard Keynes put it: “Anything we can do, we can afford.” There is plenty of capacity in our economy. It needs to be put to use in a way that supports people and the environment upon which we all depend. Yes, we can do it so please help us take another step forward by voting Green on May 1st.
Dave Smale, our Chulmleigh and Landkey candidate
This is my first step into the world of politics, and I am proud to be representing the Green Party, ensuring that people have the option to vote Green in my home district. There is change afoot in the UK, and smaller parties like the Greens are showing that they can be legitimate contenders and a powerful voice for local communities.
I was raised in Landkey and now live with my family in Bishops Tawton, so am familiar with the issues that our communities face. I know that many local people feel ignored at County level; we need a fresh perspective on issues such as housing, public transport, the protection of our beautiful natural landscape, and opportunities for young families to live, work, and thrive in our area.
I truly believe that the ethos and aims of the Green Party align with those of the residents here in North Devon and that now is the time for the party to prove that it can be the strong voice that this area needs.
David Relph, our Braunton Rural candidate
If elected, I would have three main priorities: to increase the amount of genuinely affordable housing built in and around Braunton; to protect the natural environment, which is such a integral part of living here in North Devon; and to encourage more (especially younger) people to get involved in local politics.
If we do these three things, our part of Devon will be a better place for everyone. I will also support and work on any issues that people in and around Braunton raise with me as their representative.
Gill Saunders, our South Molton candidate
I am delighted to have the opportunity to stand as a Green Party candidate in our local elections.
I believe it is really important to consider the impact of all our decisions upon us as individuals, our South Molton community and the environment. We have lots of positives in South Molton and I would like to build on these, by ensuring our local library is supported, the pannier market continues to flourish, the parks and facilities are kept in good order and our roads and pavements are repaired.
A vote for the Green Party is a vote for a positive future working together to create a safer, cleaner, greener South Molton.
Kyle Chivers, our Combe Martin Rural candidate
I’m Kyle James Chivers, standing as the Green Party candidate for Combe Martin Rural. I was educated locally, run a business in the area, and have spent my life in and around these communities. I understand both the everyday challenges and the great potential across Combe Martin and its surrounding parishes.
This is a beautiful part of Devon, but one that faces economic pressures and a growing need for investment. I’m particularly focused on improving infrastructure and addressing housing challenges so that local businesses can remain competitive, and residents can continue to live and thrive here.
Many people I speak to are concerned about the future of public services, especially in education, healthcare, and social care. These services are essential to daily life in a rural community, where every minute matters. I will always stand up for residents when services are threatened with cuts or reductions, and wherever possible, I will work to strengthen them for the long term.
If elected, I’ll bring a constructive, community-focused approach, listening carefully, acting with purpose, and working together to deliver real, lasting benefits. My aim is to ensure Combe Martin and its surrounding parishes are supported, valued, and never forgotten.
Ricky Knight, our Fremington Rural candidate
My main reason for standing in Fremington for the Greens is to give voters the option of voting Green, particularly at this time when voters’ affiliations are in flux. In the past, we have not challenged Frank as an Independent, with whom I have worked so well on the District Council. However, Frank, generally seen as unbeatable, has jumped ship and joined the Lib-Dems – that makes it open season! We shall see.
I was born in Fremington (albeit quite a while ago) and am very much aware of the main concerns of people who live there: predatory housing developments, chaotic traffic, lack of infrastructure (schools, surgeries, dentists, shops, youth facilities, water quality etc).
A County Councillor cannot cure all these problems but I firmly believe that I can address them effectively on behalf of the people of Fremington, whilst ensuring that the extraordinary rich landscape and ecology of this estuary community is protected and enhanced.
Rosie Haworth-Booth, our Barnstaple South candidate
I graduated from Edinburgh University in 1969 and worked at a national museum for almost all my working life, where I built a representation of work by black African and African diaspora artists.
On retirement I moved to North Devon where I am engaged with several groups working for a wider public understanding of the threats we face from the climate and ecological crisis.
I am press officer for the North Devon Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Health Campaign Group Save Our Hospital Services, currently engaged with lobbying for funding the essential maintenance, improvements and upgrades to North Devon District Hospital.
I am also secretary of SOHS and our local medical practice’s patient participation group. Our current economic model is driven by the idea of endless growth, with little regard for the requirements of farmers and farming – we cannot eat coal, we cannot drink oil. We need to embrace prosperity without growth. I believe I can bring another much needed green voice to drive development of green industry, energy and action on housing, health and all other public services.
Thank you for reading about our candidates. Each one is dedicated to making Devon a great place to live, preserving our wonderful environment and enabling everybody who lives here to live their best lives.
Please VOTE GREEN on May 1st