Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, 2 May, to elect a third of the seats on Cambridge City Council/
Labour currently has a firm grip on power, but the Lib Dems, Greens and Conservatives will all be hoping to make gains, while some independents and smaller parties are also standing. We asked the four main parties for their answers to key questions, and sought statements from other candidates standing.
Labour
Why should voters pick you at the May elections?
Labour is all about serving and delivering for our residents and we aspire to be compassionate and ambitious in our leadership. Labour’s manifesto builds on our record in power – a record of delivery, and not just words. Labour are building record numbers of new council homes to high environmental standards, collecting bins efficiently and consistently, improving our green spaces, and working hard to make our city a safer place. At a time when local councils are facing unprecedented financial strain, we understand the importance of budget responsibility to protect our essential services. This is work Labour will continue delivering.
What is needed to improve how we move around the city?
Labour is working hard to deliver a transport network for all, while recognising that the council must collaborate with the county council, the Greater Cambridge Partnership, Combined Authority and other stakeholders. Labour have made significant progress on broader issues around mobility, increasing bike safety and reducing theft, and prioritising accessibility. Labour’s three key aims for transport in our city continue to be: to create space for people; to be environmentally friendly and cut carbon emissions; and to deliver high quality, affordable transport. Labour will continue to put these complex issues to the top of discussions with our transport authorities.
How do we make Cambridge a fairer, more equal city?
Surveys tell us that people living and working in Cambridge are some of the happiest people in the country, but it’s clear that there is also stark inequality across the city. Labour has a vision of a beautiful, sustainable and thriving city where residents and workers all enjoy a high quality of life. Labour will work to make Cambridge a place where people have access to good, well-paid jobs, healthy food and are safe at home and in public spaces. Labour will work alongside our key partners to improve health and educational outcomes while supporting and empowering thriving communities.
The government’s Case for Cambridge sets out a vision for building up to 150,000 new homes around the city by 2050. Are we in danger of over-development?
Whilst working with the government, Labour has outlined its concerns with the government’s ‘2050’ proposals, particularly around the reality of regional water scarcity. Developments without appropriate transport, energy, water and social infrastructure are harmful to the community. Therefore they must be managed carefully and suitably. While Cambridge will inevitably play an important role in the prosperity of the country, Labour strongly believes the government should be doing more to support the building of new homes, particularly council housing, across the UK, not just in Cambridge. Labour has also urged the government to improve transparency and accountability by involving local authorities and residents in further decisions.
How will you work for the environment and aid the drive to net zero?
Labour will ensure that sustainability is front and centre of our work, actively fighting the climate and biodiversity crises while building on our strong record of progress to become a net zero emission council by 2030. Further development in our city must be based on real evidence of need and managed sustainably in the face of the region’s acute water scarcity. We will work with our partners to ensure that innovation in Cambridge benefits people and the planet. Labour will continue to build on its ongoing work towards climate justice and convene local partners and organisations to tackle these crises.
Liberal Democrats
Why should voters pick you at the May elections?
Our “must do” list is vital for everyone in Cambridge. First, Michael Gove’s Cambridge power grab must be challenged: we insist representatives of local people should decide this area’s future. To strengthen that, we will push for a unitary council for less fragmented local government. Second, we’ll stop Labour replacing representative committees by a one-party cabal for making council decisions, which they will do after this election. Third, we’ll end Labour’s complacency about basic council services and focus on residents’ everyday needs – “mucking around” in their words! We’ll start with council housing repairs, tackling anti-social behaviour such as illegal e-scooters, late-night noisy road racers, fly tipping, and improving public toilets.
What is needed to improve how we move around the city?
We need more movement on foot, by bike or public transport. This enables more people to get around efficiently, minimising use of space and impact on the environment. Without that, everyone’s freedom will be limited and the local economy will suffer. Congestion charging is not now going to be the way forward. A new approach is needed, which takes this out of the culture war dead-end. It’s a tough challenge but we are committed to work at it anew with others through the city council’s roles within the Combined Authority and Greater Cambridge Partnership.
How do we make Cambridge a fairer, more equal city?
The shortage of housing of all types is central to this. So many of those who contribute to the city’s wellbeing are condemned to spend unsustainable proportions of their income to live here, often in poor quality accommodation - or to embrace costly long-distance commuting. Without tackling this, it’s not possible to achieve a fairer city. For Cambridge to feel more inclusive, we would also like to see our celebrated universities and innovative companies do much more to break out of their insularity, open their doors and share opportunities with local young people and non-graduate residents.
The government’s Case for Cambridge sets out a vision for building up to 150,000 new homes around the city by 2050. Are we in danger of overdevelopment?
Michael Gove’s plans carry the risk of reckless development. His numbers are plucked out of the air and he has produced no evidence of need for a development corporation. It’s a frantic power grab in the dying days of this government. Good growth is possible: it’s not overdevelopment if it’s evidence-based, sustainable and locally controlled - our own approach. The expanded Trumpington, planned by Liberal Democrats, shows what successful new communities can look like, sharing great new amenities with existing residents. We need government as a partner for things the council can’t do (crucially new water infrastructure), not as master for things it can.
How will you work for the environment and aid the drive to net zero?
Integral to Cambridge’s success are its irreplaceable green spaces and trees, which we will guard ferociously - even from the council! New developments need the same from the start. The Lib Dems are leading the national campaign for the water industry to clean up rivers like our own River Cam. We initiated the council’s bans on herbicides and sale of single use plastics on council land and will promote recycling, repair and re-use, pressing for food waste collection. We will keep shrinking the council’s one per cent share of the city’s carbon emissions, but will also look outward to policy on transport and housing to enable and encourage low carbon and resource-efficient living.
Greens
Why should voters pick you at the May elections?
Greens pledge never to put party politics before the welfare of the planet or our residents. Our priorities continue to be:
\- To protect residents from the cost of living
\- To protect residents from the climate emergency
\- To ensure that residents are treated with respect and dignity and that their voices are heard.
– Zak Karimjee, Petersfield candidate
What is needed to improve how we move around the city?
We need to tackle the barriers that prevent residents from walking, wheeling and cycling. Residents need roads and paths to be repaired and free of potholes so they are safe to use. We need secure parking for bikes and mobility aids to protect against theft. We need fireproof, reliable, low-cost EV charging points such as Bedford’s Kerbocharge scheme for cars, bikes and mobility aids. We need bat-friendly solar studs and lights for off-road paths so that commuters and students aren’t forced back on to busy roads in winter rush hours. And we need new bus routes that reflect the way we move around our city now.
– Iain Webb, Romsey candidate
How do we make Cambridge a fairer, more equal city?
Tackling the alarming rise in Cambridge children living in temporary accommodation and the increase in rough sleepers on Cambridge’s streets are obvious starting points. We begin by prioritising socially-rented homes (40 per cent of market rent) over any other type to help put a permanent roof over the heads of our neighbours in the greatest need. Many more “affordable” homes (60 to 80 per cent of market rent) are our next priority. Legal restrictions should be used to ensure new build homes cannot be used for short term holiday lets. Further, trialing a Universal Basic Income pilot here is another essential step towards equality.
– Sarah Nicmanis, Coleridge candidate
The government’s Case for Cambridge sets out a vision for building up to 150,000 new homes around the city by 2050. Are we in danger of over-development?
Cambridge is already feeling the effects of over-development. It’s not just shortages of water and land, overstretched power and sewage systems that are a problem. Police and NHS funding don’t increase in line with the growth in general population. Police, NHS and other essential workers are being priced out of our city by sky high private rents. We all know our police and health service are doing their best but they are completely overstretched.
– Naomi Bennett , Abbey councillor standing for re-election
How will you work for the environment and aid the drive to net zero?
We need to stop pretending that our natural resources are infinite and avoid further harm to our surroundings. We continue to stand with the campaigns to save Coton Orchard and Honey Hill. We will prioritise low cost solutions to reduce domestic emissions such as insulation, which also helps keep residents safe and warm. We will boost natural flood resilience via landscaping and planting and encourage better use of grey water.
– Hugh Clough, Newnham candidate
Conservatives
Why should voters pick you at the May elections?
Cambridge needs change. Residents feel ignored by Labour and the Lib Dems on vital issues. We need a strong opposition to hold them to account and prevent wasteful spending on unpopular vanity projects. We were the only party to oppose the congestion charge and we continue to oppose the introduction of any road charging measures. The Conservatives will always put the communities we serve above party ideology. Whether its opposing road closures, tackling potholes, or getting tough on crime and anti-social behaviour, we are working hard to deliver common sense solutions that address the issues residents care about.
What is needed to improve how we move around the city?
Supporting motorists does not have to come at the expense of giving Cambridge better public transport. Keeping driving free must be a priority. The Conservatives will also fight any proposals to close vital roads as part of road-reclassification and will push for a common-sense approach to roadworks to end our current traffic chaos. We want to explore options such as light rail and trams to deliver more sustainable travel, with integrated ticketing options and day passes across different modes of transport. Residents need public transport options that work for them, not penalties that leave them with no other choice.
How do we make Cambridge a fairer, more equal city?
Council spending needs to put people’s priorities first. We would reverse hikes in council tax and council rents by cutting wasteful spending on pet projects like the £20million refurbishment of the city council offices. People deserve to have their money spent wisely and not have extra burdens put on them. More also needs to be done to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime to keep our communities safe for all. We would call for a more regular and visible police presence in known hotspots. We will push for better street lighting and more CCTV to keep our communities safe.
The government’s Case for Cambridge sets out a vision for building up to 150,000 new homes around the city by 2050. Are we in danger of over-development?
Cambridge needs more affordable housing. This is a key area that should be addressed by local government, local developers, and all local stakeholders, working together. However, this new development must be sustainable, keeping in mind that public services and water capacity should grow accordingly. This is why we must have the right development in the right places. We have always maintained that the Case for Cambridge requires serious and sustained dialogue with residents and local stakeholders. This would ensure that the new development works for everyone.
How will you work for the environment and aid the drive to net zero?
We will always stand up for our green spaces in Cambridge and promote initiatives to improve biodiversity in our nature reserves. We believe that the UK should achieve Net Zero by 2050 and improving the public transport options available to local residents will be key to this. Additionally, building local infrastructure for electric vehicles, such as charging points, would encourage people to shift to greener cars. Instead of raising council rents, we’re pushing for more investment to insulate council properties. The council needs to work with residents to achieve these goals, not impose unpopular solutions.
David Summerfield - Independent, standing in Castle ward
Following the huge level of support that I received last May from my fellow Castle residents I have spent the last 12 months working on many successful projects across the ward. Highlights include opening the Greenway from Darwin Green to Windsor Road, stopping coach-idling outside Churchill College, and securing funding for three wildflower gardens at Mayfield Primary School to improve biodiversity.
Clearly, I have a proven track record of getting things done and, if elected, I will continue to deliver on projects to improve our community. I will also continue to lobby against any future road-charging schemes. I am the local choice for local issues, not bound by party politics – I answer only to my fellow Castle residents. I live here, I care.
William Bannell – Independent, standing in Romsey
Vote for me if you appreciate my work and want to see what I can do from the inside. Putting ‘Independent’ on the ballot offers voters a choice, so they can have a say if they don't like the way the roads are being mis-managed.
Stop preferential treatment given to minority lobby-groups. Balance the diverse needs of residents instead of letting some dominate over others. Take heed of what people are saying. Stop selling out Cambridge to developers, Cambridge is already over-developed with no end in sight. Cambridge residents need to stop bickering amongst themselves and get it together otherwise this will happen. Net zero is an upper-class pipe dream and must be reasoned with.
David Carmona – Independent, standing in Newnham
Cambridge is changing fast. Money is pouring in, poverty and neglect are increasing, our infrastructure is falling apart. Paradox? I’m afraid not. We need competent leaders to steer the city in the right direction.
To avoid our city turning into a victim of its own success, I propose halting all development other than social or affordable housing; a focus on putting local people first and empowering our communities; developing volunteering to new heights; fixing things ourselves when others won’t; working with all authorities, political parties, local groups, city businesses and educational institutions to improve our social infrastructure and public realm; and promoting apprenticeships/voluntary national service for young people, to develop their character, career prospects and sense of self-worth. It’s time for an Independent! See my manifesto on newnham-independent.uk.
Simon Brignell - Communist Party of Britain, standing in Abbey
The policies of the ultra-wealthy are being imposed upon us from the top down. From Ekin Road to Michael Gove’s bonkers Cambridge 2.0 plan, these policies seek to enrich the developers, university cartel and friends of the government whilst riding roughshod over local democracy. They’re rarely in the interest of working class residents who increasingly have to decide between paying bills or putting food on the table.
We need to empower our communities and listen to their needs rather than the wants of the ultra-wealthy. Local transport is dysfunctional and must be taken back into public control but this cannot be at the expense of motorists.
The big businesses who have caused the most damage to the environment must be the ones to pay.
Christopher Wilkinson is also standing for the Freedom Alliance in Petersfield.
Now read Phil Rodgers’ ward-by-ward analysis of the election.
