The Milton Keynes Labour Party have announced a 'diverse team' of 20 candidates for the upcoming Milton Keynes Council elections next month on Thursday 3rd May.
Launching the candidates, the party have said they are hoping that the 57,000 people who voted Labour in the 2017 General Election will 'return to the ballot box to elect Labour councillors across the Borough'.
All 19 wards across Milton Keynes have elections this year. Following an early retirement of a Councillor in Newport Pagnell South, a by-election will be held on the same day meaning voters in that ward will have two votes each.
A local Labour spokesperson said: "Labour are keen that the council reflect the population of Milton Keynes and believe this year is our most diverse as well as one of our strongest ever teams of candidates."
"Labour have a strong representation of women amongst the team of candidates, including women candidates in all seats where an existing Labour councillor is retiring. The Labour team includes a number of candidates of Black Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background. There is a very wide range of ages with Labour candidates born in years ranging from the 1930s to the 1990s."
Election Agent, Rachel Pallett said “We don’t have targets for how diverse our team of candidates are, but I am delighted how through our democratic processes local Labour Party members have selected a team which overall looks and sounds like the population they want to represent."
"We recognise diversity isn’t just about characteristics protected in law such as gender, age or disability, it’s also about people’s life experience and broader
background. Though our candidates share Labour values for social justice, equality and fairness and their dedication to protect public services they are
nevertheless the most diverse group of candidates I can remember our party nominating.”
“Our candidates are ready, willing and able to represent the local population and have the mix of skills and experience needed to govern the Council."
"We are now asking the residents of Milton Keynes to look at the difference between labour led MK Council and the surrounding Tory Councils, including
bankrupt Northants County Council, to see the positive difference a well-run Labour Council makes and to vote for their local Labour candidate."
"Milton Keynes deserves a council that will work for the many, not the few."
