By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
The recently-redrawn constituency area of Nottingham North and Kimberley will be voting under its new name for the first time in Thursday’s General Election.
The seat has been created following a shakeup by the Boundary Commission for England.
It combines most of the old Nottingham North seat with Kimberley and Nuthall, formerly in Broxtowe constituency.
Nottingham North, which covers Bulwell, Basford and Aspley, had been controlled by Labour for all but four years since it was created in 1955.
However, Broxtowe is a marginal seat which always tends to be won by whichever party ends up forming the government, with Conservatives being victorious since 2010.
It will also draw Leen Valley from the Labour-held Nottingham South.
Candidates won’t be taking anything for granted given the new seat’s uncertain political landscape.
Results for Nottingham North in 2019 – Labour HOLD – Alex Norris
Majority: 4,490
Electorate: 66,495
Turnout: 53.1 per cent
Questioning the candidates
Sam Harvey – Green
Why should people vote for you?
I’m an incredibly driven candidate – I feel like I bring the energy needed for Nottingham North & Kimberley. I’m not afraid to fight for what people need at a local or national level. Compared to some of the other candidates, I’m not willing to settle for the seat falling in last place in the pecking order.
I’ve got a lot of experience working with the more impoverished people in society. I’ve worked with HMRC with people facing the brunt of the cost of living crisis; I’ve also worked with the probation service so I’ve got a good idea about the impact of crime and how to tackle it. I’m currently working in the charity sector, working directly with people hardest hit by inequality. I’m good at speaking up for those people and making their voices heard.
What is the most important issue in Nottingham North & Kimberley?
Every issue stems from the cost of living crisis, whether it’s struggling to pay bills, house prices, or dealing with benefits. We need a party willing to support the people hardest hit and provide answers for that, which the Green party will do.
What has Nottingham North & Kimberley got going for it?
It’s got so much potential. Nottingham North & Kimberley has everything for the recipe for an amazing constituency – here in Bulwell Town Centre, we’d like to see it return to its former glory. People are worried about shops shutting down. There’s such a sense of community from the market stalls, we need to invest in that.
It has amazing green spaces but nothing’s been done with them and they’re not being kept well-maintained. We need someone who’s going to fight for that. We don’t need more green spaces, just fix what we’ve already got.
Caroline Henry – Conservative
Mrs Henry was unable to attend an interview and instead sent a written statement;
I have a track record of listening to and delivering for our local community. As Police & Crime Commissioner, I fought hard to secure record funding for Nottinghamshire and worked closely with the Police to increase patrols in Bulwell and Kimberley, making our streets safer. I am tried, tested, and always get the job done.
Golam Kadiri – Reform
Why should people vote for you?
For change. People are fed up of the two parties who have been ruling the country for 50, 60 years. The other parties keep making promises and not keeping them. They keep lying to the people.
What is the most important issue in Nottingham North & Kimberley?
I talked to thousands of people who have problems with NHS waiting lists. They’re not getting the services on time.
Nottingham City Council is bankrupt. People paid their council tax – so why is it bankrupt? It’s down to the leaders.
What has Nottingham North & Kimberley got going for it?
The biggest strength is the people want change – they want someone who will speak up for them and listen to them. Look at the roads, they’re a mess everywhere.
Alex Norris – Labour
Why should people vote for you?
I’ve got a long track record in this community. It’s my home, I love it. It started nearly two decades ago organising a campaign to keep Basford Hall College open, it’s now one of the best facilities in the region. I fought for our area, whether it’s keeping the fire engine at Stockhill or £20m secured in the last Parliament for Bulwell town centre.
I’ve delivered for it in the past, and I hope to get the chance to do it in the next Parliament as well.
What is the most important issue in Nottingham North & Kimberley?
I’ve knocked on thousands of doors in the campaign, and there have been some clear themes. People aren’t able to get appointments with the NHS or are waiting for hours in A&E. People have to swerve around potholes in the road. The anxiety people are feeling about their finances, as well as crime and anti-social behaviour on their streets. All have their roots in government failure.
What has Nottingham North & Kimberley got going for it?
This is a new constituency made up of very different communities, but the common feature is the people. During my time in Parliament, I’ve had the privilege to go and see some of the things they do for each other. Often it’s people with not very much standing up for those who have the least, and it’s that kind of community spirit which makes this area special.
David Reuben Schmitz – Liberal Democrat
Mr Schmitz was unable to attend the interview. Party representative Lloydie James Lloyd stood in for him.
Why should people vote for Liberal Democrats?
In this constituency, most people know that the system is broken and it isn’t working for ordinary people. It’s only the Liberal Democrats that have put together a bold, ambitious and fully-costed manifesto to help solve the issues that are desperately broken.
If you’ve sat on the telephone waiting for a GP appointment forever, you know how bad things have got. That’s why our manifesto pledges 8000 new GPs in the next Parliament, and we’ve set out exactly how we’ll fund that.
If you’re worried about the crisis in social care, we have set out bold proposals to help with extra pay. We’ve asked for a cross-party way to sort the system out because it’s too important to be left just to politicians.
What is the most important issue in Nottingham North & Kimberley?
Like many places, it’s about NHS, social care and the cost of living. So many people are struggling to make ends meet and it’s the Liberal Democrats who are proposing a raft of different things that will help ordinary people in their ordinary lives. We will make the system work for them, not against them.
What has Nottingham North & Kimberley got going for it?
It feels neglected by politics and politicians – one of the best things is the way people have each other’s backs. They will look in on their neighbour and look after each other. There are community organisations that will help. Politicians could learn an awful lot from the grassroots organisations which do brilliant things for the people of this area.
