Our twenty-sixth election candidate profile is from Conservative Party candidate Philip Jones. Philip’s responses to our questionnaire are below in their un-edited form.
All candidate responses can be found linked on our candidate page
- Candidate Name: Philip Jones
- Party: Conservative Party
- Election: Stone Town Council
- Ward: St. Michael’s
Tell our readers about yourself
I was born in Stoke on Trent and came to live in Stone on my marriage to Morag 50 years ago. Our three children were born here, went to school here and now live in London and Auckland (New Zealand) I was educated at Hanley High School and Sheffield University and I work at the pottery factory in Stoke that my brother and I established 50 years ago. For 10 years I was Chairman of the local Health Authority responsible for GP services across the County and was pleased to be of assistance with the funding for the new Mansion House surgery. I retain an interest in health services as a member of the patients advisory group at Mansion House.
What’s your personal statement about why you’re standing and what you want to do over the next 4 years
I left the Town Council 4 years ago and have been dismayed at its failure to produce a Neighbourhood Plan which is the surest way of protecting our homes and green spaces from developers. It has also increased its tax by 25% in that period despite negligible inflation costs. I want to remind the council to tighten its purse strings and deliver an effective plan
How does standing as a political party candidate affect serving local people on local issues?
Independent councillors bring fresh thinking to a Council but the major decisions affecting Stone, such as Social Care; Highway maintenance; subsidised bus services etc, are made by the County Council which has always been under party political control and it’s a fact of life that party political members will have influence with their colleagues at the County Council. The best smaller Councils will have a mixture of both.
Do you live in Stone, if not what’s your link to Stone and your reason for standing as Stone candidate?
Yes, I live in Old Road,Stone
What’s been your history as a political councillor?
I was St Michaels Town and Borough Councillor from 2007 to 2015. I successfully opposed unwelcome planning applications at Aston Lodge; Thomas Avenue; Lichfield Road etc. I was Stone Urban County Councillor from 2009 to 2017. I successfully argued for the retention of the town bus services when they were reviewed in 2014
What are the top 5 issues that you think affect the residents of Stone over the next 5 years?
An ageing population will need better Social Care. Well-paid jobs in manufacturing are needed and more encouragement should be given to this at say Meaford Business Park. Distribution jobs are welcome but not the real answer to economic growth in which we all can share. We have to fight for the return of the town bus services and on a smaller scale benches and seats to rest weary feet would be welcome.
How will you keep in touch with your constituents concerns?
Telephone, or email me at any time.
