By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
A ‘distrust’ in politics due to the actions of national leaders is among the concerns of some Beeston residents ahead of the local elections next week.
Beeston Central is one of Broxtowe Borough Council’s 20 wards subject to the vote on May 4, to elect councillors for the next four years.
In total 130 candidates have been nominated to contest the election for 2023.
The council is currently a coalition, run by the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats and Independents. The current leader is Cllr Milan Radulovic.
Dian Rakadjiev, the owner of Refan, a perfume shop in Beeston, has a sign outside his shop reading “national p**s shortage due to our Government taking it all”.
He said: “The sign has been there since the pandemic and it’s still relevant.
“People keep taking selfies with it but there is a serious message behind it.”
He added: “I’m going to vote Labour to get the Tories out.
“Their priority is just getting more money. They know they’re on their way out. These elections are important because I can’t see the public being fooled again.
“People are starving and can’t pay their bills but the government use anything to distract from the main problems.”
He added that he wants to see Broxtowe Borough Council spending more money on the high street.
He added: “We need the council to spend more money on making the high street more appealing with hanging baskets.”
Market trader Lynn Tuner-Yorke, who was born in Beeston, said: “I think whoever you vote for they say one thing and do another. It’s a load of rubbish.
“I try to vote for the person instead of the party.”
She added that she feels the market needs more support to encourage more traders.
She added: “The markets were closed during lockdown instead of allowing essential items to be sold.
“This is my daughter’s stall and it did affect her but in a way, it was a blessing because she went online.
“We’re here Mondays and Wednesdays and we aren’t doing too badly at the minute because of the egg shortage.”
A Beeston resident who did not wish to be named added: “I haven’t decided if I will vote yet.
“I don’t trust any politicians, they’re all the same.
“National politics has made me lose trust in local politics. I’ve voted independent and Reform in the past.”
A total of 42 candidates are from the Labour Party, 34 represent the Conservative Party, 30 are Liberal Democrats, 10 candidates are Independents and 12 are from the Green Party. One is from the Alliance for Democracy and Freedom.
