Election of the City Mayor Candidates Booklet

2019 ©

ELECTION OF THE

Leicester City Council Leicester City Mayor THURSDAY 2 MAY 2019 leicester.gov.uk/elections2019

Introduction

On Thursday 2 May 2019 electors in Leicester will have the opportunity to vote for the person they want to be city mayor of Leicester until 2023. On the same day you can also vote in the city council elections. The law* requires us to send this booklet to every registered voter in the city. It includes: • an overview of the role of the elected city mayor • an election address – or statement – from each of the mayoral candidates who wish to be included • information on the voting process for the elected city mayor and on how the result is calculated • frequently asked questions about elections and the voting process.

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There are seven candidates standing for city mayor. Statements from six of them can be found on pages 16 to 27. Stuart Ian Eric Young, UK Independence Party (UKIP), is also standing but did not provide an address to be included in this booklet. Your vote is important in deciding who the future city mayor of Leicester will be.

Please note that each election address is the responsibility of the relevant candidate and the text, photographs and pre-prepared artwork (where applicable) have been supplied by them. The views expressed are theirs and the content cannot be attributed to the returning officer or Leicester City Council. As required by law, the returning officer has drawn lots to decide the order in which the candidates appear in this booklet.

* Regulation 7 of the Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 requires the returning officer to fund and produce this booklet, which contains details of prospective mayoral candidates. It is also a legal requirement that a copy of this booklet is sent to every registered voter in the city, which means households will often receive a number of copies depending on the number of registered voters at that address.

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City mayor’s role Leicester is one of a number of cities to have an elected city mayor. The city mayor is elected for a four-year term of office. The role provides strategic direction for the city and is responsible for the determination and implementation of council policy and delivery of council services.

The city mayor is not an elected councillor but, once elected, will appoint an executive team of between two and nine elected councillors who will support the city mayor in leading the council and making decisions. The city mayor must by law also appoint one of the executive team as a deputy city mayor to stand in when the mayor is absent.

The city mayor’s role is different to that of the lord mayor which is a ceremonial role undertaken by an elected councillor. Leicester continues to have a lord mayor as well as a city mayor.

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Voting information The mayoral election uses a voting system called the ‘supplementary voting system’. You will have two votes – one for your first choice candidate and one, if you wish, for your second choice candidate. The ballot paper will list all the candidates standing in the mayoral election and next to the list of candidates there will be two columns.

Vote for your first choice by marking a cross (X) in the first choice column. Vote for your second choice candidate by

Sample ballot paper – making a first choice vote only

ELECTION OF MAYOR Column 1 Column 2 (First choice) (Second choice)

Candidate 1 Candidate address Party: LOGO

Candidate 2 LOGO Candidate address Party: X Candidate 3 Candidate address Party: LOGO

Candidate 4 Candidate address Party: LOGO

Candidate 5 Candidate address Party: LOGO CORRECT

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marking a cross (X) in the second choice column. You do not have to mark a second choice if you don’t want to. If you vote for the same candidate twice, your second vote will not be counted.

If you only want to make a first choice vote place your cross (X) in the first choice column. A single cross (X) on the ballot paper in the second choice column will not be counted as a first choice.

Sample ballot paper – making a first choice vote only

ELECTION OF MAYOR ELECTION OF MAYOR Column 1 Column 2 Column 1 Column 2 (First choice) (Second choice) (First choice) (Second choice)

Candidate 1 LOGO Candidate 1 Candidate address Party: Candidate address Party: LOGO

Candidate 2 LOGO Candidate 2 LOGO Candidate address Party: X Candidate address Party: X

Candidate 3 LOGO Candidate 3 Candidate address Party: Candidate address Party: LOGO

Candidate 4 LOGO Candidate 4 Candidate address Party: Candidate address Party: LOGO

Candidate 5 LOGO Candidate 5 Candidate address Party: Candidate address Party: LOGO CORRECT INCORRECT

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Sample ballot paper – making a first and second choice vote

ELECTION OF MAYOR Column 1 Column 2 (First choice) (Second choice)

Candidate 1 Candidate address Party: LOGO

Candidate 2 LOGO Candidate address Party: X

Candidate 3 LOGO Candidate address Party: X Candidate 4 Candidate address Party: LOGO

Candidate 5 Candidate address Party: LOGO CORRECT If you want to make a first and second choice vote make sure you place a cross (X) in both columns. Do not place both crosses (Xs) in one column as neither vote will count. For your second choice to be valid it must be different from your first choice.

The election count will take place on Friday 3 May. At the first stage count, if one candidate gets more than half of the first choice votes they will win the election. If no candidate achieves more than half of the first choice votes, then a second stage count will take place. The two candidates with the most first

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Sample ballot paper – making a first and second choice vote

ELECTION OF MAYOR ELECTION OF MAYOR Column 1 Column 2 Column 1 Column 2 (First choice) (Second choice) (First choice) (Second choice)

Candidate 1 Candidate 1 LOGO Candidate address Party: LOGO Candidate address Party:

Candidate 2 Candidate 2 LOGO LOGO Candidate address Party: X Candidate address Party: X Candidate 3 Candidate 3 LOGO LOGO Candidate address Party: X Candidate address Party: X

Candidate 4 Candidate 4 LOGO Candidate address Party: LOGO Candidate address Party:

Candidate 5 Candidate 5 LOGO Candidate address Party: LOGO Candidate address Party: CORRECT INCORRECT choice votes will remain and all other candidates will be eliminated.

The second choice votes from the eliminated candidates will then be counted in the second stage. Any second choice votes cast for the two remaining candidates will be added to their first choice votes. The candidate with the highest number of combined first and second choice votes will then win and be declared city mayor of Leicester.

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Leicester East

Rushey Beaumont Mead Leys

Troon Leicester Abbey West Belgrave

North Evington Fosse Western Wycliffe

Spinney Westcotes Hills Stoneygate Braunstone Park Castle & Rowley Fields

Saffron

Knighton Aylestone

Eyres Monsell Leicester South City council elections As well as the vote for the elected city mayor, there will also be city council elections on 2 May to elect ward councillors to represent your local area. The city is divided into 21 areas known as ‘wards’. Depending on the number of registered voters living in your ward, you will have either two or three elected councillors who represent that ward. If your ward is represented by two councillors you will vote for up to two candidates; if it has three councillors you will vote for up to three candidates. The candidates with the most votes will be elected and become the councillors for that ward.

10 ELECTION OF THE CITY MAYOR leicester.gov.uk/elections2019 Leicester East

Troon Humberstone & Hamilton

Thurncourt

Evington

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Frequently asked questions Who can vote? To vote in both the mayoral and city council elections you must be included on the register of electors for Leicester and be 18 years of age on or before 2 May 2019. All registered British, Commonwealth, Irish and European Union citizens are entitled to vote. British overseas electors are not entitled to vote. Why two votes for one city mayor? The law states the voting process for mayoral elections must be done this way. It allows you to say who would be your second choice for city mayor if your first choice is not in the top two after the first round of counting, and if there is not an outright majority winner at that stage. How do I mark my vote? Mark your vote in the usual way with a single X in each of the columns indicated. You have two votes – one for your first choice and one for your second choice of candidate. What happens if I don’t make a second choice? Your first choice vote will still be counted. What happens if I only mark an X in the second choice column? Your vote will not be counted because no one will know who your favourite candidate was.

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What if I mark an X in the first choice column for more than one candidate? Your vote will not be counted. If you wish to vote for two candidates then you must mark an X in column 1 for your first choice candidate and also an X in column 2 for your second choice candidate. I have lost my poll card – can I get another one? If you are on the electoral register, you don’t need a poll card to vote, so another one won’t be sent to you. You can attend the polling station and staff there will help you. The poll card is just to inform you that there is an election and explain where your polling station is. For help finding or identifying your polling station please visit wheredoivote.co.uk or email the electoral services team at [email protected] or telephone 0116 454 2000. How do I vote by post? If you have registered for a postal vote, a pack will be delivered to your home from 17 April. If you have not received it by 26 April email the electoral services team at [email protected] or telephone 0116 454 2000. Follow the instructions in your postal vote pack, ensuring that you provide your signature and enter your date of birth on the security statement that must be returned with your ballot papers. Please ensure that your completed postal ballot papers and security statement are returned in the same envelope as soon as possible. If you forget to post it, you can drop it in at a polling station on the day of the election.

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Why has every voter in my household been sent this booklet? That must cost a lot of money The law says that every registered voter must be sent their own copy so they each get the chance to see who the candidates are. When will polling stations be open? Polling stations will be open from 7am – 10pm on Thursday 2 May. The location of your polling station is printed on your poll card. This may have changed since the last time you voted so please look carefully at your poll card. What is voter fraud? In any election in the UK, your vote belongs to you. Whether you vote at a polling station, by post, or via a proxy, it’s your decision. It’s illegal for anyone to influence you to vote against your will. Voter fraud can take many different forms.

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No one, not even a partner or family member, is allowed to: • pressure you into voting a certain way • offer you something in exchange for your vote • pretend to be you at the polling station • complete your postal vote for you. What to do if you’ve seen or been a victim of voter fraud If someone tries to take your vote, or the vote of anyone you know, call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org Where can I find out more? You can find out more information about the elections and follow the results by visiting leicester.gov.uk/elections2019 or following #Elections2019 If you need help please email the electoral services team at [email protected] or telephone 0116 454 2000.

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K K What Labour has done for you in Leicester Protected vital services in the face of savage Tory cuts Kept our bin collections weekly Peter Soulsby Created 5000 jobs and 1000 apprenticeships Labour’s Candidate for Leicester Mayor Delivered 7000 new homes including decent homes at affordable rent I am thrilled to stand again as Labour’s open and your bin collections weekly. Provided 5000 more school places candidate to become City Mayor for However, make no mistake, we need Leicester. a Labour government nationally to end austerity’s cruelty and the dam- I have been City Mayor since 2011 aging under-investment in our vital and I am proud of Labour’s record in public services. Leicester. I have been a strong voice for the city, protecting and improving key Obsessed with Brexit, the Tories have What we will do: Labour’s plan for Leicester local services and bringing new jobs, neglected our city. homes and investment into our city. Buy and build new council homes Labour hasn’t. I haven’t and I won’t. Invest in our communities and neighbourhoods Labour in Leicester has achieved this Our programme for the next four years in the most difficult of circumstances. is ambitious and challenging. More Make sure no-one has to sleep on the streets 9 years of Tory cuts has hurt our NHS, council homes, more jobs, more school Police, schools and our local council places, more investment in our neigh- Make Leicester a Living Wage city services. This Tory government has bourhoods and communities, better Consult on introducing a fair workplace parking levy to failed to support the most vulnerable public transport and cleaner air. people or invest in our communities. fund better transport Labour has protected Leicester from Our priorities are clear, our record is much of Tory Austerity by keeping our strong. I would be honoured to have libraries, leisure centres and parks your support.

Promoted on behalf of P Soulsby by G Carr-Williamson at 1 New Street, Leicester, LE1 5NR

CLP-069 - Election Leaflet insert - A5 2PP.indd All Pages 02/04/2019 11:08 What Labour has done for you in Leicester Protected vital services in the face of savage Tory cuts Kept our bin collections weekly Peter Soulsby Created 5000 jobs and 1000 apprenticeships Labour’s Candidate for Leicester Mayor Delivered 7000 new homes including decent homes at affordable rent I am thrilled to stand again as Labour’s open and your bin collections weekly. Provided 5000 more school places candidate to become City Mayor for However, make no mistake, we need Leicester. a Labour government nationally to end austerity’s cruelty and the dam- I have been City Mayor since 2011 aging under-investment in our vital and I am proud of Labour’s record in public services. Leicester. I have been a strong voice for the city, protecting and improving key Obsessed with Brexit, the Tories have What we will do: Labour’s plan for Leicester local services and bringing new jobs, neglected our city. homes and investment into our city. Buy and build new council homes Labour hasn’t. I haven’t and I won’t. Invest in our communities and neighbourhoods Labour in Leicester has achieved this Our programme for the next four years in the most difficult of circumstances. is ambitious and challenging. More Make sure no-one has to sleep on the streets 9 years of Tory cuts has hurt our NHS, council homes, more jobs, more school Police, schools and our local council places, more investment in our neigh- Make Leicester a Living Wage city services. This Tory government has bourhoods and communities, better Consult on introducing a fair workplace parking levy to failed to support the most vulnerable public transport and cleaner air. people or invest in our communities. fund better transport Labour has protected Leicester from Our priorities are clear, our record is much of Tory Austerity by keeping our strong. I would be honoured to have libraries, leisure centres and parks your support.

CLP-069 - Election Leaflet insert - A5 2PP.indd All Pages 02/04/2019 11:08 leicester.gov.uk/elections2019 leicester.gov.uk/elections2019

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18 ELECTION OF THE CITY MAYOR ELECTION OF THE CITY MAYOR 19 Sanjay Prem Gogia Notary Public

I am a practising public notary in the City of Leicester and have assisted thousands of people in Leicester for more than a decade. I am also a qualified Solicitor and an Advocate. As a hard-working individual, I promise that I will do my best endeavours to make the City of Leicester greater with more investment and better economic future for all communities. It is extremely important to protect vital frontline services and keep council taxes as low as possible. It is essential to have an improvement in our schools and an ambitious public transport plan in Leicester. It is extremely important to care for the elderly and build new homes for the growing population in Leicester. I would make sure that Leicester is a safe place for children and give social workers the support they need. It is time to have a vision with strong and independent leadership for a progressive and great City of Leicester. I am an independent individual and do not wish to be involved in any party politics with a focus to develop the City of Leicester and ultimately be accountable to the people of the City of Leicester. You can make the difference! Please get involved and consider supporting me on 2nd May 2019 and make a big impact with your vote. Thank You!!

Web: www.sanjaygogia.com Twitter: @SanjayPremGogia

Promoted by Sanjay Prem Gogia of Leicester Business Centre, 111 Ross Walk, Leicester LE4 5HH Promoted by Sanjay Prem Gogia of Leicester Business Centre, 111 Ross Walk, Leicester LE4 5HH We need a campaigning mayor on a workers’ wage! Vote STEVE SCORE, Socialist Party

Vote for the Socialist Alternative— Take the wealth off the 1%

Steve Score chaired the successful Save Glenfield Children’s Heart Centre campaign and continues to be involved in local campaigning around defending the NHS. He has a long record in Leicester of fighting government and local cuts in services. He was also the secretary of the local anti-Poll Tax Federation which locally led the struggle to end the tax introduced by Thatcher in 1990 and resulted in it being scrapped. Over years government cuts have devastated council services. But we cannot keep accepting these cuts, which hit the most vulnerable. Homelessness is rocketing, hostels and homelessness services have been cut and council house building has been almost non-existent. There has been a dramatic rise in people being forced to go to foodbanks, often because of cuts in benefits, yet welfare rights services are being cut. Cuts have been made to youth services, children’s centres, voluntary services, libraries, community centres and many others. As a socialist, I would refuse to implement any government cuts in Leicester by proposing a legal no cuts budget. The council has more than £100 million in the bank that could be used, along with borrowing powers, to maintain services. This would allow time to build a city-wide campaign against cuts and link up with other authorities and trades unions across the country to force the much needed money from the government. Prepared by Socialist Alternative election agent Tessa Warrington of 56 Wilmington Rd, Leicester, LE3 1AT, on behalf of Steve Score of 45 Hopyard Close, Leicester, LE2 9GY

Steve who chaired the successful Save Glenfield Children’s Heart Centre campaign says: “People power saved our heart centre. Similarly, a Socialist Alternative massive campaign led by the Mayor and councillors could save our services.” People power saved the Glenfield heart centre.Similarly, a massive campaign led by the Mayor and councillors could save our services. The council could also fight local NHS plans to restrict the number of hospital beds in the future as part of their reorganisation including the proposed closure of the General Hospital. The city mayoral system was brought in without asking the people of Leicester: It centralises too much power into the hands of one person. I would push for a referendum on the abolition of the mayoral system by the end of my term of office. I would also onlytake the average wage of a Leicester worker (around £23,000) instead of the current £70,000 allowance.

• NO more cuts in services. No to • For a referendum on scrapping the privatisation. Return services to Mayoral system by the time of the democratic public ownership. next election. Let’s include the peo- • Build a campaign to force the mon- ple of Leicester in decision making. ey we need from the government. • Use the role the council has in the • Aim to build 1,000 more council local NHS to fight to increase the Wehomes need in the a firstcampaigning year as a step mayor to number on a workersof beds and’ wage!capacity in solving Leicester’s housing crisis. local hospitals and to oppose cuts • Invest inVote public transportSTEVE andSCORE, Socialistand privatisation Party in the NHS. oppose privatisation. Reverse cuts V in bus services. For a massively improved and council owned bus service.

 Offer free bus journeys for our school children: let’s get our city moving! (40% of city families have no car)

 Establish a powerful Bus Alliance, to target funding opportunities, set priorities and agree binding long- Mags Lewis lives with her family in Clarendon Park, having term goals to improve services moved to Leicester in 2001 to take up a job at Leicester Royal Infirmary. A growing sense of the massive waste from NHS  Introduce an ambitious workplace parking levy, with privatisation and the need for social and environmental justice proceeds ringfenced for public transport & cycle routes for all, prompted her to join the Green Party in 2007.  Remove Evesham Road extension plans for good, Living in and campaigning for her community, has led to a and review all proposed road schemes, including Putney realisation that politics in Leicester is a game of musical chairs Road and Rally Park Road between the same few Labour politicians vying for power. This risks stagnation, lack of scrutiny and complacency. The  Use our planning powers to ensure all new Labour Party in Leicester is so sure of power that they often development is carbon neutral and planning conditions don’t listen. A fresh approach is needed. enforced (current enforcement rates of 2% are a scandal)

The growing crisis of air pollution, congestion and a lack of  Use mayoral executive powers to empower, not stifle strategy from the current administration prompted Mags council professionals and councillors to stand as Mayor. For too long, the Mayor has been reluctant to use his powers. We need an end to one-party rule and we  Support re-opening of the Burton to Leicester railway line need a public transport revolution. Only the Green Party will bring new ideas, bold leadership and a real commitment to  Review recycling services to find a greener alternative to the council’s own declaration of a climate emergency. distributing 175,000 single-use orange plastic bags each week

 Offer free bus journeys for our school children: let’s get our city moving! (40% of city families have no car)

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ELECTION OF THE CITY MAYOR 31 If you need help reading 2019 © this publication or require it in a different format please contact Leicester City Council City Council Leicester City on 0116 454 1000. Mayor leicester.gov.uk/elections2019

Published by Miranda Cannon, Returning Officer Leicester City Council, 115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FZ Printed by Taylor Bloxham, 17-21 Tollwell Road, Leicester LE4 1BR