Daniel Bentley – Reform UK Stone Rural County Council Candidate

Below is the candidate profile for Daniel Bentley, the Reform UK (formally the Brexit Party) 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 was born in Stoke-on-Trent before coming to live in Barlaston, just under 20 years ago. I was educated at Alleyne’s Academy, and now at the age of 22, I am currently studying at The Open University in IT & Computing and Social Science, Politics. Currently, I am working within the IT & Telecommunications sector whilst following my interest in local politics after a long battle from a health scare back in 2017. After rebuilding myself, I am here to tell the story and how this has made me even more motivated than ever to create everlasting changes in our communities. With an adopted tough stance, I’m not easily put off creating wave to reform the political scene.

What’s your personal statement about why you’re standing and what you want to achieve over the term if elected?

Stone & surrounding areas that form the Stone Rural ward have very much difficult challenges to be met in supporting local & people’s needs. Give a new outlook on what our area can achieve with new & current resources.

1. • Using current infrastructure to reconnect the rural hotspots for people in order to access basis transport in accessing employment & facilities.
   • Prompt cutting wasteful spending & promote better use of spending of tax.
   • Drive change for public facilities & schools in the transition of renewable energy, allowing more to be spent on facilities & education
   • Tackling rural flying tipping, assisting local governance in continuing with Local Climate Change Policy.
   • Reinstate the vital facilities that people need to bridge the gap on mental health support, working with local charities and support networks. The simplest change can be better than one more life lost in our community

How does standing as a political party candidate affect serving local people on local issues?

We all have political differences, locally & nationally. No matter where we stand on the political spectrum, it is essential to take part in local democracy to help by shaping our local area without hate or division between each other—listening to each other on all sides by taking into consideration any issues at hand all while coming up with a positive approach/resolution to ensure that the majority in the community are happy with the outcome moving forward. On top of this, I would love to be part of the community by offering ideas and advice to open up an engaging public forum; I believe it’s a vital principle to have an open relationship with my constituents. In these challenging times, it’s important to stick together as a community to suppress these uncertain times. Standing as a member of a party allows a union of a message of serving the community together, driving the message to influence local policies & public bodies with effective negotiation skills.

Article continues after this message

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?

Living in the rural area of Barlaston for just under 20 years, you get the sense of what surrounding rural communities are affected by, so I feel taking this into account as my reason to give from an experience of rural countryside life. After growing up in the area from a young age and attending schools in both Barlaston & Stone, I was surrounded by many genuine people who helped shape my future & get me to where I am. I believe in giving back to the community, and using this opportunity would be perfect for showing my appreciation with a positive impact.

What’s been your history as a political councillor?

For the last two years, from joining Barlaston Parish Council in 2019, I’ve certainly experienced all that local politics & community life have thrown & met people being in groups such as Scouts, Community Groups, little picking force. Unfortunately, this has been sadly disrupted with the recent times where we’ve unable to come together as a community to celebrate things such as our annual shows, and festivals alike. I can get things accomplished by highlighting the need or raising my constituents’ concerns and bringing positive impact, one way or another, by working with the community & political colleagues alike.

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 living in the area all my life, I’ve previously run a business; therefore, I’d like to find ways for our local businesses to be more involved with how they will serve the community in the future. For many years, I’ve been a member of the Steering Group for Barlaston & Wedgwood to Save Our Green Belt campaign and the ambassador for the Superfast Staffordshire scheme to bring Fibre Broadband to the area successfully. Previously I’ve worked with the Good Neighbours Scheme in the village of Barlaston & I’ve watched some of our community benefit from this scheme.

What are the top 5 issues that you think affect the residents of Stone currently have?

• • Greenbelt Development inc. HS2
  • Environment inc Flooding.
  • Loss of Groups/Facilities for Youth & Elderly to allow benefit positive mental health.
  • Transportation & Access to Work in Towns & Rural Areas.
  • Support for businesses through economic recovery & growth

How will you keep in touch with your constituents’ concerns?

I wish to keep the same attitude as Parish Councillor for Barlaston as this has been a practical approach. An open the door to be contacted, been seen, visiting events, and attending such things as Coffee Mornings to be there be able to sit down to speak with constituents, update or address any concerns in and around our area. Of course, I will take regular invites with local media to update on issues that affect us. An offline & online presence to allow everyone of all ages to be informed, involved in local matters & be heard from their elected.