PEOPLE in Tameside get the chance to decide who they want to represent them on the borough’s council as the area goes to the polls on Thursday, May 7.
Nationally, politics may seem more polarised with the rise of Reform UK on the right and the left-wing Green Party.
Many are also billing the ward results as an indication of the country’s feelings about the current Labour government.
But locally, many of the issues remain the same. Will potholes be filled? Will the bin be emptied on time? How will councillors work for my area?
Ahead of this year’s local elections, The Correspondent has asked every candidate standing to supply profiles detailing how they area and their vision for their ward.
Here is the rundown of those standing in Ashton Waterloo.
Raymond Dunning (Reform UK)
I AM a long-standing resident of Ashton Waterloo with deep roots in the area and my life experience has shaped a strong sense of resilience, responsibility and determination.
Raised in the care system through the Boys and Girls Welfare Society, now the Together Trust, I understand first-hand the challenges faced by vulnerable young people and families.
That is why I care deeply about improving children’s services and standing up for those who need support most.
I have run businesses in Ashton for nearly four decades, including Brides Best Man formal hire and a retail furniture business, so I have seen first-hand the decline of Ashton’s once-thriving high street and understand the hard work it takes to build a business and serve the public.
I am standing for Reform UK because I believe our area needs people with real life experience, strong values and a serious work ethic.
I want to support local business, protect our heritage and green spaces, and be a dependable voice for Ashton Waterloo.
Lee Huntbach (Green Party)
I WAS elected as the first ever Green Party Councillor in Tameside, for the ward of Ashton Waterloo, and served from 2019 to 2023.
I have been a passionate campaigner for social justice for decades.
Alongside many other local Green supporters, I engage in regular community activities such as litter picking and rewilding.
I am a semi-retired gardener and horticulturalist and have been voting Green for more than 20 years, motivated by the party’s policies on sustainability and the environment.
I have got a track record of winning and being an effective councillor – not missing a single full council meeting in my time serving and ensuring to attend other meetings like the Police and Community Together meetings so I could best serve my community.
I have also done work with local schools and the armed services – and I am passionate about creating a better society for all.
Emma Jones (Independent)
I AM Emma Jones and I am standing as an independent candidate in the Tameside local elections because I believe the residents of Waterloo deserve a stronger, more direct voice in decisions that affect their daily lives.
Being independent means I can focus entirely on listening to local people and acting on what matters most to them.
Over years, I have seen concerns about local services, community safety, and the upkeep of our streets and green spaces.
I want to work constructively with residents, community groups and the council to deliver practical improvements.
My priority is to be visible, approachable and accountable, ensuring people feel heard and respected.
I am committed to standing up for fairness, transparency, and common sense in local decision making.
If elected, I will dedicate myself to serving Waterloo with energy and integrity, always putting residents first in every conversation and vote locally always.
Muhammad Tahir (Labour)
No profile submitted