Our candidates for the 2024 General Election
Jonathan Elmer for City of Durham
Stephen Ashfield for Easington
Richard Simpson for Blaydon and Consett
Jack Hughes for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor
Sarah Hannan for Bishop Auckland
Sunny Moon-Schott for Durham North
Jonathan Elmer for City of Durham
Hello, I’m Jonathan Elmer. I’m a County Councillor representing Brandon on Durham County Council. I’m also the National Green Party spokesperson for Nature. I’ve spent my career working as a teacher, countryside / parks team leader and later as a consultant ecologist. Throughout my career I’ve worked to rebuild the broken relationship between people and the nature on our planet without which we couldn’t exist.
As the first Green County Councillor I have a Countywide remit and have persuaded the Council to declare an Ecological Emergency and commit to actions that restore our collapsing local ecosystems. I’ve also been pushing the Council to improve our broken public transport system, tackle local air pollution, and conserve the built heritage of our beautiful City. As a member of the planning committee I’ve played a leading roll in standing up against the conversion of family homes to HMOs, and always fight for better transport connectivity, reduced impact to wildlife and access to local green spaces.
If elected I would champion the needs of our City in Westminster. My top priorities would be:
- implementation of a clean air zone;
- resisting development that impacts on the heritage of our City;
- challenging the unsustainable expansion of Durham University;
- halting the conversion of family homes to HMOs
- making our roads safer and more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists
Please vote for me.
Stephen Ashfield for Easington
Hello, I’m Stephen Ashfield, your Green Party candidate for the Easington constituency, encompassing not only Easington but also the broader towns within East Durham. My background spans from education in Wellfield, Seaham High School, and East Durham College to significant roles in community leadership and environmental advocacy. As Chair of Shincliffe Parish Council, I’ve engaged directly with our communities, championing initiatives for our collective wellbeing and environment. My role as a charity trustee further underscores my dedication to social equity and support for the vulnerable.
Our constituency, with its diverse towns and communities, faces challenges that demand sustainable, inclusive solutions. From addressing the complex issue of Homes of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to ensuring the delivery of vital amenities like the awaited swimming facilities in Seaham, my campaign focuses on sustainable development, green infrastructure, environmental education, and robust community governance.
Your support means advocating for a future where East Durham thrives sustainably and equitably. Vote Green for a community-led, environmentally-conscious approach to the challenges and opportunities we face together.
Richard Simpson for Blaydon and Consett
The next General Election will be the most important in a generation.
The foundations of our democracy and our way of life are under attack as never before.
Corruption is happening in plain sight.
Our rights and freedoms are being dismantled bit by bit.
The wealth we’ve created for this country over decades is being stolen from us.
Our living standards have flatlined for 14 years, poverty is rising. Where’s our money gone?
Only the Green Party is committed to returning Power to the People and resisting the forces which put Profit before People and the Planet.
Returning me, Richard Simpson, as your Member of Parliament will be your Act of Resistance. Your way of saying ‘Enough is Enough.’ A howl of protest against the selling off of our country without our consent.
I have lived in Blaydon and Consett for nearly 40 years. I know what strong communities we have and how much pressure we’ve been under, and will continue to be, if there isn’t a Vote for Change.
Make Your Vote Sensational.
Vote for Hope. Vote for Change. Vote Green
Jack Hughes for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor
Hello, my name is Jack Hughes, and I work as a campaigner in Brandon within Durham County Council. I am an environmental behavioural scientist studying for a PhD in how to create a greener and fairer society. My work focuses on helping people make informed food choices, understanding peoples relationship with nature, and creating diverse environmental movements.
As a dedicated resident and advocate for County Durham I work closely with the Council, University, and community. County Durham is a beautiful mix of old and new, industrial and modern, and young and old. We have so much potential, but we also have a great deal of challenges. I am excited to champion this potential and combat these challenges head on.
As your MP, I will be a relentless advocate for policies that align with our shared green values. My campaign is grounded in four key objectives:
- Promoting Affordable Sustainable Living
- Environmental Restoration and Protection
- Community Engagement and Empowerment
- Green Jobs and Inclusive Prosperity
I will strive to bring tangible, positive changes, not just in legislation but in the everyday lives of constituents.
Please vote for me.
Sarah Hannan for Bishop Auckland
Hello, I’m Sarah Hannan, the Green Party Candidate for Bishop Auckland. I’ve lived in the constituency 19 years working as a welfare rights advisor in Middlesbrough. A Parish Councillor for Gainford and Langton, I championed the provision of fun with food activities after lockdown, sports facilities and allotments in the village. I have been a vocal opponent of development on green field sites and supportive of development of former industrial areas.
My priorities if elected are:
- Education: Tailored to individual needs, ensuring young people achieve their academic potential, giving them the life skills to live full and happy lives.
- Higher education: Providing a range of opportunities, University, Apprenticeships and vocational training with a living wage when on placement.
- Good quality housing: Addressing the needs of residents, affordable housing that is truly affordable to buy or rent.
- A benefits system for everyone: A universal income giving all people of working age the cash flow to manage their finances whether they rent or own their own home.
- Financial support for farmers: Ensuring sustainable food production supporting nature.
- Regeneration of town centres: Making them an attractive inviting destination to live, work, visit and shop in.
- NHS: Well-funded physical, mental and dental healthcare.
Sunny Moon-Schott for Durham North
My name is Sunny Moon-Schott and I am very proud to be standing as the Green Party candidate for the Durham North constituency. As a current Parish Councillor for Shincliffe, I’ve gained a real appreciation for the importance of the decision making and effort that goes into governing at a local level and I am keen to continue representing the interests of my broader community.
I am committed to making governance a more collaborative and democratic process with more active involvement from members of the community to ensure that your needs are being met.
As your MP, I want to make sustainable choices easier and more affordable for the people of Durham so that our community doesn’t have to choose between caring for the environment and living fun, fulfilling lives. This includes making public transport more affordable and reliable, developing safe options for active travel, encouraging high quality jobs, building more and better housing and restoring our green spaces.
I believe that together we can build a better, more sustainable Durham and I hope that I can rely on your vote.
