Meet the Beacon and Bents ward candidates for South Tyneside's local council elections

This year's local elections are just around the corner, and we are turning the spotlight on all South Tyneside's candidates in the run-up to polling day on May 3.
Beacon and Bents ward candidates, from left, David Francis (Green Party), Angela Hamilton (Labour Party) and Ali Hayder (Conservative Party).Beacon and Bents ward candidates, from left, David Francis (Green Party), Angela Hamilton (Labour Party) and Ali Hayder (Conservative Party).
Beacon and Bents ward candidates, from left, David Francis (Green Party), Angela Hamilton (Labour Party) and Ali Hayder (Conservative Party).

Each one will be given the opportunity to tell readers why they are standing and why people should vote for them.

Here's what the four Beacon and Bents ward candidates have to say:

The local elections are on May 3.The local elections are on May 3.
The local elections are on May 3.

DAVID FRANCIS (GREEN PARTY)

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Over the last year hundreds of people have told me they are voting Green for the same reasons: There are 53 Labour councillors in South Tyneside and just one independent.

People feel that power has been in the hands of too few people for far too long. They are desperate for change.

They know that the Greens work hard here all year, not just at election time.

The local elections are on May 3.The local elections are on May 3.
The local elections are on May 3.

They know that only the Greens can beat Labour here and end their one-party state.

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If you want to help turn the political tide in South Tyneside, please vote Green on May 3.

ANGELA HAMILTON (LABOUR PARTY)

I was born in South Shields, the daughter of a shipyard worker and sister of a miner and a single mother with two sons and two grandchildren.

I’m a policy and communication officer in the public sector and have a LLB Hons with accounts and post-graduate diploma in public administration.

I’m also an MCIPR-accredited practitioner.

I’m an active trade unionist holding local, regional and national positions and represent disabled members on UNISON’s NEC.

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In 2013 I won the Equality North East Award for ‘individual who makes a difference’ for my work as a disabled activist.

ALI HAYDER (CONSERVATIVE PARTY)

Having lived in South Shields for 32 years, I’m proud to call the place I love my home.

I ‘m passionate about raising money for charity and in recent months I have been fundraising for St Clare’s Hospice in Jarrow.

I have also been campaigning in the local Beacon and Bents area for better road surfaces, recently we managed to get a number of potholes fixed.

We also need to sort out the parking facilities, which are discouraging people from coming to our town centre, this is why I am campaigning for free parking in council car parks.