Spalding's Aidan Forman bidding to get a foothold for the Labour Party on South Holland District Council

Aidan Forman wants to paint the town red - as he looks to end 20 years of Labour defeats in local elections.

The 33-year-old Spalding resident has announced he will be standing in May’s South Holland District Council elections, eager to buck the local trend.

The last Labour councillor elected to SHDC was in 2003, with 25 of the current 37 seats held by Conservatives and the remaining 12 all independents.

But Aidan, a director of technology for a national charity, believes it is time for change.

“I was prompted to stand as I feel like it would be valuable to the council to have an injection of new people, who would bring fresh thinking, ideas, skills and experiences to the table, to avoid it becoming stale,” he said.

“I also feel it is important for the younger generation to feel represented and to encourage them that potentially they could become the future generation of councillors over the next 10, 20 or 30 years.

“I am not naïve in my thinking that I will be able to change everything on my own, but bringing my pragmatism, skills and experience to the table from the outside world I would like the opportunity to make a difference.”

Aidan - who has lived in South Holland all his life, mostly in Holbeach before moving to the Wygate area of Spalding in 2016 where he lives with wife Hayley,their young daughter and pet dog - was out campaigning this weekend as Labour look to raise their profile in what is commonly known as the safest Tory seat in the country.

“I am standing as I have a real passion for making a difference, I would be looking to improve things and also to represent the constituents of the (Wygate) ward, with honesty, integrity and passion,” he added.

“It would also be important for me to represent the views of the people to ensure they are being listened to, and having a chance to be heard.

“I would relish the opportunity to make a difference to the wider community and also provide challenge and scrutiny where required.

“The last Labour Councillor was elected to the South Holland District Council in 2003.

“However, I am hoping people will be receptive, and will be open to change. My question to voters would be, are you happy with the way things are? and how the council have performed?

“With Spalding High Street run down, the market a shadow of its former self, South Holland having one of the worst recycling rates in the country. Overdevelopment, without the public services to support the growth in population. Why not give the opportunity for someone different to have the opportunity to represent you and challenge the things that have frustrated local residents for decades?”

*What do you think? Would you like to see the Labour Party represented on the district council? Post your thoughts below or email andrew.brookes@iliffepublishing.co.uk