Six of the seven people vying to become the next councillor for St Ann’s explain why they’re standing for election, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Candidates vying to become the next councillor for St Ann’s have made their pitch for people’s votes.

Next Thursday, 10th April, Haringey Council will hold a by-election in the Tottenham ward. It follows the resignation of Tammy Hymas, who represented St Ann’s as a Labour councillor from May 2022 until the end of February.

Hymas resigned after she voiced criticism of both the new government at Westminster and the local Labour administration.

Seven candidates are standing in the upcoming by-election and the Local Democracy Reporting Service invited all of them to comment on what they hope to achieve as a local councillor should they win. Below are their pitches for people’s votes.

David Beacham – Liberal Democrats

David said: “As a former Haringey councillor, I would hit the ground running representing St Ann’s. As your local champion I would continue my Lib Dem opposition colleagues’ excellent work of holding this Labour-run council to account.

“Lib Dem councillors have succeeded in local campaigns for zebra crossings, park improvements and more, while winning big battles like getting £130,000 refunded to leaseholders, illegally charged for building works by Haringey.

“I will focus on issues that really matter to local people, like fly-tipping, crime and anti-social behaviour and the local environment. Plus, of course, Labour’s financial failings. They’ve driven the council off a cliff, having to accept a government bailout, yet still waste money on things like free sandwiches for councillors and £70million for new offices!

“Labour are out of money and out of ideas. The council needs a change in leadership, which can only happen with the Lib Dems in Haringey.”

Stephen Tawiah – Labour

Stephen said: “N15 has always been my home. My journey, from a council flat in Tottenham to practising as a human rights and immigration barrister, has been shaped by the community I grew up in.

“My priorities for St Ann’s are simple: quality housing, a nourishing environment for children and families, and continued investment in our parks, trees and green spaces. I know the area and how vital these issues are to our community – it’s what drew me to Labour.

“98% of our schools are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ and we’re on track to build 3,000 new council homes by 2031, including over 150 at St Ann’s Hospital.

“But I know there’s more to do. I will work closely with residents, listen to the people who know our community best, and deliver the change you need. Everyone deserves effective representation. It’s why I became a barrister – and it’s why I’m running to be your councillor in St Ann’s.”

Ruairidh Paton – Green Party

Ruairidh said: “I have a deep commitment to listening to what people have to say.

“I’ve spoken to more than 200 residents and the thing that comes up time and time again are issues with housing, homes not being affordable and people being priced out because their rents have increased. I’ve moved house six or seven times because of rent increases. I think Haringey Council has a duty to campaign for rent control.

“I spoke to a lot of residents on various estates. The council has been raising service charges, but cleaning isn’t happening and a lot of the buildings are in need of repair.

“There’s frustration around Chestnuts Park, which recently lost its Green Flag status. The park definitely needs more attention. I’m also hoping to work with Chestnuts Community Centre to get them a long-term lease which will give them more stability and enable them to run fundraising activities.”

Calum McGillivray – Conservative and Unionist Party

Calum said: “Like so many I was shocked by the revelations about the failings of Haringey Council in the resignation letter of former local councillor Tammy Hymas.

“The council is in a £51million budget black hole and is threatening to make some of the deepest cuts ever seen to local services.

“Tammy also revealed how a supposedly caring council is using bailiffs to target the most vulnerable in our community.

“Tammy portrays a government, and a council, that have betrayed promises to the people of Haringey. Council tax is going up, pensioners have lost their winter fuel, services are being cut, the economy is crashing and hard-working people are suffering.

“After 54 years of Labour failure, St Ann’s needs someone who will stand up for residents and be a much-needed voice of opposition in our Labour dominated borough.

“If you vote for me I will be that voice, fighting for you.”

David Kaplan – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

David said: “Kier Starmer promised change in his election campaign last year, but nothing has changed – Labour councils carried out cuts under Rishi Sunak’s government and they’re carrying out cuts under Starmer. The Tories reintroduced austerity in 2010 and, 15 years later, Starmer is doing it again.

“£143m has been taken from Haringey alone since 2010. And they’re expecting another shortfall of £121m over five years.

“Most spending goes on social care and housing people in temporary accommodation. We need genuinely affordable council housing and more money for social care. We need more money for children with special education needs and reduced class sizes.

“We need more facilities for young people. We need more council-run childcare facilities like Woodlands Nursery. Low-traffic neighbourhoods have pushed traffic onto the main roads; we need a fully-integrated public transport system to reduce the number of cars on our roads.

“I call for a needs-based budget, providing what our community needs, rather than what the council can ‘afford’.”

David Stratford – Reform UK

David said: “I am keen to foster a strong and individual relationship with our community. I aim to listen, always reply to emails and deliver positive action and not ignore the very people I will serve.

“Importantly, with a skilled working background in the area, I will rigorously challenge the huge wastage in Haringey and push to deliver better value and investment into front-line services such as reduced GP queues, fixing our pot holes, sensible street policy, police on the street with zero tolerance of crime and the causes of crime, to keep our community safe, and better, lower-cost housing.

“If you want improvements and reform, you need to vote for me and Reform UK.”

Tony Hunt – Communist League

The Communist League did not respond to requests for comment.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, or one-off donation.