Below is the candidate profile for Alec Sandiford, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Staffordshire County Council Stone Rural seat.
This profile has been added to our Candidate Profiles page on our 2021 election hub – click here to see more candidate profiles.
Answers to the questions aren’t edited, other than for formating, and are therefore the candidates own words.
In your own words tell our readers about yourself.
I can only say what others say about me: I’m outgoing, as friendly as can be, chatty, and very committed to the ethical outlook and personal freedoms that the Liberal Democrats stand for. I’m the proud father of three lovely children and the devoted husband of Roxanne. I live in Blythe Bridge part of the Stone Rural division and it’s home to me.
What’s your personal statement about why you’re standing and what you want to achieve over the term if elected?
Developing the democratic way we do things in this country and preserving personal freedoms has always been core to my beliefs. But we can’t just do it from the top down, it must be from the bottom up too. What I want to do is making the ruling group at County Hall (whoever it turns out to be) fully accountable by simply and persistently standing up to them and driving them to justify their actions.
How does standing as a political party candidate affect serving local people on local issues?
In Staffordshire, the Tories have a huge majority – it is virtually a one-party state – and it will need a united strength to dent their power. Backed by a Liberal Democrat organisation and with the electors’ sense of what we stand for, I believe I can present a clear alternative, and speak for those who do not have a voice.
Do you live in the area you’re standing for, if not what’s your link to Stone and your reason for standing in this area and not your own?
Yes, I live in Blythe Bridge (Stone Rural) – and proud to do so!
What’s been your history as a political councillor?
I have served as a parish councillor but also stood in borough elections where I came second. It has made me value grassroots democracy in action.
Apart from family commitments what other commitments do you have on your time? This could be work, business, voluntary or community roles – if these are linked to organisations in Stone then please mention it.
As well as being a parish councillor, I help out teaching children to read & write, member and panellist for Staffordshire Community foundation. I am also studying for a BA law degree.
At the start on the Covid-19 pandemic, I co-founded the award-winning Fulford Coronavirus community support group. Hundreds of people were helped by volunteers with advice, shopping trips, food parcels and prescriptions at the height of lockdown. (Please see link- https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/coronavirus-task-force-set-up-397724510)
What are the top 5 issues that you think affect the residents of Stone (Rural) currently have?
In Stone Rural, we have a beautiful part of the world – so any inappropriate development is a concern, as is the uncontrolled speeding on rural roads. From talking to people, I also know that they miss a sense of community – which has been exacerbated by the pandemic – because so many public facilities and services have been downgraded or cancelled in recent years. In a countryside & farming area, there is also awareness that we must avoid the potential downsides of Brexit. I will also fight for our areas fair share of funding.
How will you keep in touch with your constituents’ concerns?
In my manifesto, I have promised visits to each and every village council, and I also have made it a promise to reply to letters (with genuine addresses) from Stone Rural electors. I will hold properly advertised surgeries in each of the main villages.
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