Voters head to the polls on May 7
Princes Avenue, Hull(Image: Katie Pugh)
Ahead of Hull City Council‘s election on Thursday, May 7, here we take a deep dive into one of the wards with an interesting electoral history. In recent times, elections in the Avenue ward have seen Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates both securing their place in the Guildhall.
Currently, the ward has two Labour councillors (Cllr Abhimanyu Singh and Cllr Karen Wood) and one Liberal Democrat (Cllr Rhiannon Beeson). In the latest election, held in 2024, Labour took a previously held Lib Dem seat.
This time around it is another currently Lib Dem held seat that is up for grabs as Cllr Beeson is seeking re-election. We reached out to the six candidates standing in the ward to set out their case for why they should be elected to represent the area, and for them to explain what they believe the main issues are in the ward.
Green Party: Dan Kelly
“As both a contract negotiator for an independent Hull business, and the partner of a disabled woman impacted by attacks on disability rights on a national level, I think I’m well placed to see the challenges faced by many in Avenue ward, and across Hull. Of course I can do casework, but people should be able to expect more.
“In Avenue ward I’m meeting a lot of people desperate for something different. If I were to pick just one issue I am really passionate about dealing with here, it would be introducing tough sanctions against rogue landlords. There can and should be serious consequences for their failures to provide bare minimum standards to those they profit from.
Labour: Louis Graves
“I’m standing to be a councillor for Avenue ward because this is my home. It’s where I live, and it’s a place I genuinely care about. I want to make sure local people can access affordable housing, that spaces like Thoresby Street Park are protected and improved, and that you have a councillor who gets things done.
I’m proud to be part of this community, and I want to represent the area I love by standing up for it and delivering the improvements local people need. If it matters to you, it matters to me. People know Labour delivers action in Avenue ward, and if elected, I’ll keep working hard for everyone.”
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC): Michael John Whale
“TUSC is standing in the local elections proposing socialist policies to counter the years of austerity imposed on Hull by Tories, Liberals, and Labour. Hull has had more than £135 million cut from budgets in the name of austerity over the last fifteen years.
“These cuts have had a devastating impact on the poor and vulnerable. Services that support children, disabled and senior citizens have been massively cut. Reform UK have stated they will make even more cuts while the Greens wring their hands and say there is nothing we can do about it. TUSC would set a “no cuts” needs based budget in Hull and launch a campaign to demand the money back from government to properly fund it. TUSC would refuse to make cuts. The money is there! The problem is that it is in the hands of the super rich.
“The number of billionaires has doubled while more than half of the population in Hull lives below the poverty line. If the resources of this country were publicly owned and democratically planned out to take account of need and the environment, no-one would need go without. Supporting TUSC in the local elections offers an opportunity to cut across all the pro-austerity parties and vote for a positive socialist future.”
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The Conservative candidate, Alex Hayward, was unable to comment. The local Conservative Party provided the following:
“We are fielding candidates in all 19 wards up for election on May 7 as we always do and we have many new young, fresh candidates in each ward, who will bring energy, vitality and enthusiasm, along with some older heads who will bring experience and determination to improve this City. Previously, we have been squeezed between by the straight challenges between the two left wing Labour and Liberal parties, but this time both locally and nationally, we are sensing from residents that there is discontent with both of them and it is time for a change.
“Labour are a complete mess locally and nationally they are even worse. The Liberals badge themselves as the party of discontent and change but in Hull it turns out that when they get power, they are just the same left wing ‘yellow socialists’ that Labour are.
“In the 4 years they have run Hull Council they have achieved absolutely nothing whatsoever. The city centre is the same drab, dirty, unwelcoming place it has been for years. Every one of the regeneration schemes is years late and overbudget, whether that be Albion Street, both Maritime projects or Freetown Way. Nothing happens under the Liberals and as a result the city continues to decline.
“The Liberals lost the Mayoral election last May and have since gone into a sulk and done everything to undermine the Mayor and the Combined Mayoral Authority. They always criticise the Mayor to say nothing has happened under his leadership, whilst undermining him and doing everything they can to delay matters for their own political purposes.
“As Conservatives we will work with East Riding Council under their excellent Conservative Leader and support the CMA and our new Mayor. We have huge economic opportunities if we only work together and make change happen with new jobs and bring prosperity. VOTE CONSERVATIVE ON MAY 7.”
Liberal Democrats: Rhiannon Beeson
“I’m proud to be the councillor for the place my family and I call home. In the two years since Avenue ward residents elected me, I’ve worked tirelessly with local people to make real improvements. From major street clean-ups and Bring Out Your Rubbish Days, to working with the police to tackle anti-social behaviour, I’m keen to make sure our community gets positive change.”
“I hear people’s concerns again and again on the doorstep: people want cleaner streets, safer parks and visible action on crime. That’s why I’ve pushed for new CCTV around Pearson Park and Princes Avenue, leaf and gully clearing over winter, and repairs to roads and footpaths across the area, including the Dukeries and Chanterlands Avenue.”
“I keep in touch all year round, and I’ll keep fighting for positive change locally. I also love giving back to this area. I run the local Fairy Trail, a free activity for local people, join litter picks and support many of our amazing community groups. If people want a hardworking local councillor with a proven record who will stand up for our community, I’m asking them to lend me their support at May’s election.”
Paul Burgin is standing for Reform UK. We did not receive a response from the local Reform Party prior to our deadline.
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