Labour's Lisa Forbes not standing for Peterborough City Council re-election but targets return contest with Stewart Jackson

Labour's last parliamentary candidate for the Peterborough constituency is not standing for re-election onto Peterborough City Council.
Lisa ForbesLisa Forbes
Lisa Forbes

Lisa Forbes said she had made the tough decision not to stand as she juggles being a mum of four and membership secretary for Unite in Peterborough.

But Cllr Forbes hopes to return as Labour’s candidate for the 2020 general candidate where she is confident she would unseat Conservative incumbent Stewart Jackson.

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“I’m quite confident I will be able to beat him next time round. Last time I increased our share of the vote and bucked the national trend,” she said.

Local Labour party election launch at Bridge Street EMN-160313-171039009Local Labour party election launch at Bridge Street EMN-160313-171039009
Local Labour party election launch at Bridge Street EMN-160313-171039009

Cllr Forbes, who reduced Mr Jackson’s majority from 4,861 to 1,925 last May, said if chosen as a parliamentary candidate in the next two years, she would be unable to juggle all her commitments if she was also a councillor.

“When I stood for Peterborough last time I was juggling that, being a councillor and being a mum and it was a struggle. And now I have a job,” she said.

“I do not know if I will be selected, but if I become parliamentary candidate it would be difficult to be a councillor as well with the meetings.

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“It was a really difficult decision not to stand and one I have struggled to make. I enjoy being a councillor and all the work that goes with it.”

Local Labour party election launch at Bridge Street EMN-160313-171039009Local Labour party election launch at Bridge Street EMN-160313-171039009
Local Labour party election launch at Bridge Street EMN-160313-171039009

Cllr Forbes is looking to bring her experience of campaigning to help Labour make gains in May’s local elections, and if she is not chosen as a parliamentary candidate a return to the council in two years’ time could be on the cards.

But the member for Orton Longueville does not feel the local authority has improved during her period as a councillor. “One of the most frustrating things is all the cuts and services being withdrawn all the time,” she added.

Labour launches election campaign

The Labour group launched its campaign for May’s elections to Peterborough City Council on Saturday.

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The launch in Bridge Street also included the party’s campaign to have Dave Baigent elected as Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Baigent said: “You need a police service that works for the people. I’ve got ideas for community policing that I think will make a difference. I would sit down with the community and get them to state their police priorities. And when they are agreed they become my priorities.”

Matthew Mahabadi, candidate for Ravensthorpe Ward, said: “Voters told us they wanted to see a fair and effective council that gets the job done and has high ambitions for this great city.

“This is exactly what our energetic, passionate and local Labour Party candidates intend to deliver if elected this May - a fair and effective Peterborough City Council, working for all residents.”