Meet the candidates for St Michael’s for the Sunderland City Council election on May 5

More than 90 candidates have thrown their hat in the ring for this year’s (2022) round of local elections in Sunderland.
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With council elections just around the corner, we’re shining the spotlight on Sunderland’s candidates in the run-up to polling day.

Voters are due to head to polling stations on Thursday, May 5, to either re-elect or replace holders of around a third of seats on Sunderland City Council.

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All candidates have been given the opportunity to tell readers why they’re standing and why you should vote for them.

Here’s what candidates in the St Michael’s ward have to say.

*Candidates are listed in the order they appeared on Sunderland City Council’s list of candidates at the close of nominations*

John Appleton (Green Party)

The cost of living crisis and the climate emergency are issues that are affecting people the world over, but these are issues that need to be tackled locally as well as globally.

Local elections are due to be held on Thursday, May 5Local elections are due to be held on Thursday, May 5
Local elections are due to be held on Thursday, May 5
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With a Green voice on the council, we’re in a stronger position to face these issues. Improvements in public transport, cleaner streets and better recycling will help us to stave off the impact of climate change.

More affordable housing, better home insulation and a Universal Basic Income will help the people of Sunderland to live with more comfort and less worry about the future.

These are all aspects of Green Party policy with which I believe I can make a positive difference for Sunderland.

Michael Dixon (Conservative Party candidate)

John Appleton, Green PartyJohn Appleton, Green Party
John Appleton, Green Party

St Michael’s has been my home since childhood; I attended the two excellent Hill View Schools.

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Having the opportunity of being councillor in a ward that means so much to me is a real privilege.

If re-elected I will continue my work on traffic speed, parking issues, the installation of even more litter bins, supporting our community centre, schools and Backhouse Park, the resurfacing of roads, the planting of trees, advising on planning applications.

With your support I can continue my excellent relationships with residents’ groups, youth workers Blue Watch, the East Rangers, police, plus the many people I meet.

Michael Dixon, ConservativeMichael Dixon, Conservative
Michael Dixon, Conservative

Chris Smith (Labour Party)

As a firefighter I know the importance of CPR and defibrillator training and will continue to teach residents and children these life-saving skills.

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I’ll work with the Red Sky Foundation to get a defibrillator outside every pub in Sunderland.

The play area in Backhouse Park is desperate for improvement. I will fight to get council and national funding to give the children the playpark they deserve and improve the park facilities for young people.

Leading a school project to build an enclosure for hedgehogs needing lifelong care has enabled us to establish a breeding program to reintroduce hedgehogs to Backhouse Park.

If elected, I’ll be campaigning for funding for more projects like this in local schools.

Chris Smith, Labour PartyChris Smith, Labour Party
Chris Smith, Labour Party
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I’m passionate about improving the area and increasing opportunities for children’s sport, creativity and music programs and will work hard to make positive changes for the community.

Colin Wilson (Liberal Democrat)

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Sunderland City Council has let Ashbrooke, Hill View and Grangetown down.

For too long, the council has been run without any effective opposition, wasting council tax payers’ money on pet projects whilst vital local services lose out.

If elected, I will be a strong opposition voice on the council, challenging them when they get things wrong.