Barnsley South candidates say why you should vote for them in the general election

Voters in Barnsley South will take to the polls on July 4, to select their local MP and have their say in who forms the upcoming government.

The new constituency has replaced the former Barnsley East seat, and includes Darfield, Dearne North, Dearne South, Hoyland Milton, Kingstone, Rockingham, Stairfoot, Wombwell and Worsbrough.

The former Barnsley East seat was last represented in the House of Commons by Labour’s Stephanie Peacock, who has held the seat since 2017.

In July 4’s general election, Ms Peacock will be defending her seat against seven other candidates- from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, Reform, The Yorkshire Party, English Democrats, and the Socialist Labour Party.

The latest polling for the general election predicts a Labour hold for Barnsley South with Ms Peacock predicted to take 46 per cent of the vote.

Since Nigel Farage became leader of Reform UK, the party has seen a rise in the polls – and candidate David White is now predicted to beat the Conservatives to second place with 38 per cent of the vote.

The polls also predict that the Conservatives will take six per cent of the vote, the Greens four per cent, and the Liberal Democrats two per cent.

Here, each candidate for Barnsley South tells the electorate why they deserve your vote.

Stephanie Peacock – Labour

“I am proud to have been a visible and accessible MP over the last seven years, campaigning on the issues that matter to local people, and helping over 20,000 people locally.

“Now, I’m asking you to re-elect me to serve Barnsley South in Parliament.

“After 14 years of the chaotic Conservatives, people feel worse off.

“Labour will tackle the cost of living and deliver economic stability. We have a plan to lower your energy bills with GB Energy, reduce NHS waiting lists with 40,000 more NHS appointments, recruit 6,500 more teachers, launch a Border Security Command, and tackle antisocial behaviour – putting more police back on the streets.

“I have been proud to lead the campaign for justice on the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme and I am proud the Labour manifesto has committed to deliver that.

“If you elect a Labour Government, we will transfer the Investment Reserve Fund back to former miners, giving an immediate uplift to pensions and we have committed to uncovering the truth about what happened forty years ago at Orgreave.

“Labour has a fully costed and funded plan. But if you want change, you have to vote for it.

“Vote Labour on July 4.”

David White – Reform

“I’m 59 years old and live in Barnsley with my fianceé and our mad cocker spaniel. I am a Reform UK ward councillor in Barnsley, and I became involved in local politics primarily to help people, and to contribute towards making a better society for all.

“My ambition, should I be elected in Barnsley South is to represent Barnsley residents at the highest level whilst helping to create a better Barnsley.

“In my view, Barnsley has huge and untapped opportunities, and a fresh and determined approach can deliver much-needed change and positive outcomes.

“For as long as anyone can remember, Barnsley has been under the control of Labour, at council and parliamentary level.

“The lack of opposition to their decisions is not healthy, and many people argue that their views are never listened to. I want to be those eyes, ears and voice, to promote our lovely town and help our people to enjoy a better life.”

Simon David Watson Biltcliffe – Yorkshire Party

“Yorkshire Party candidates have a firm commitment to Yorkshire values of fairness, accountability, and local empowerment.

“We have steadily gained momentum, securing several seats across Yorkshire councils.

“This demonstrates growing support for its principles of decentralisation and community empowerment.

“Barnsley’s rural towns and villages, known for their rich history and scenic landscapes require careful managing and sustainable development.

“We pledge to work closely with the local community to preserve the area’s heritage while promoting initiatives that benefit its residents.

“Similarly, Barnsley’s urban areas demand focused attention to improve essential services and enhance resident’s quality of life.

“To lower prices and rents, we need the right homes in the right places with new infrastructure – GPs, dentists, transport and schools.

“The Yorkshire Party wants to introduce a Yorkshire Travel Pass, to reduce fares across buses and trains, and end cross-border penalties and peak-time hikes.

“We need more bus services and rail options, especially in rural areas.

“We support more frontline police, to crack down on antisocial behaviour, shoplifting, road offences and all crime.

“Please support Yorkshire Party candidates, to pave the way for a brighter future rooted in Yorkshire values of community, fairness, and prosperity.”

Simon Clement-Jones – Liberal Democrats

“I’m standing to be your MP because it’s time that Barnsley got a fair deal.

“The Liberal Democrats are fighting for everyone to get a fair deal on social care, with access to high-quality social care when they need it, and better pay for our undervalued carers.

“We want a fair deal for our children, so every child gets the best start in life, with access to great schools and opportunities.

“We’d also remove the cruel two-child benefits cap to help lift many Barnsley families out of poverty.

“And we want better community policing, so people feel safe in their own homes.

“As a Liberal Democrat councillor, I know how to listen to residents and also how to stand up to Labour and with a likely Labour government you’ll need more strong Lib Dem voices in Parliament working for you.”

Trevor Mayne – Green Party

“I’ve spent my whole working life in South Yorkshire and mainly amongst mining communities in the Dearne Valley.

“I know Barnsley and the towns and villages around it really well, so I believe I can empathise with the issues residents face.

“I moved with my wife to the borough 26 years ago, and in the 19 years to 2022, I worked for Barnsley Council in various environmental roles.

“As well as being responsible for maintaining the wonderful Trans-Pennine Trail for several years, I ran the council’s nature reserves.

“The majority of my time was as biodiversity officer, whereby I provided specialist wildlife advice to colleagues, residents, etc across the borough.

“It was in this role that I became disillusioned with the council’s role in looking after our wildlife and green spaces.

“In particular, I felt far too much land was taken out of the green belt by the Local Plan and allocated for housing and employment.

“I would fight for a review of the plan something the council chose unilaterally not to do.

“I fully support the Green Party’s priorities such as properly funding the NHS to reduce waiting times and increase access to a GP or a dentist.

“I agree with the proposal to increase social housing by 150,000 a year, including by bringing empty houses back into use.”

Suzanne Pearson – Conservatives

Ms Pearson did not send a statement at the time of publication.

However, the Conservative’s policies include cuts to welfare and the civil service, a cap on social care costs, a legal limit to migration and three-strike warnings for antisocial tenants.

Maxine Spencer – English Democrats

“Priority housing needs to be allocated to local people.

“Residents in the UK less than five years should be banned from getting social housing. There are numerous support methods available for genuine refugees to get accommodation within the private sector. Social housing must be protected for nationals only.

“Elderly and disabled people are missing out on what they are entitled to. I have met many that are entitled to free bus travel but are still forced to pay because our local council are not supporting non-IT users.

“They miss out on other things too. It is not hard to find alternative methods of making applications, like the old-fashioned paper applications.

“Antisocial behaviour cannot be fixed only by punishment, the root of the problem is the way to fix it. The first step would be opening centres for young people and other groups that need it.”

Terry Robinson Socialist Labour Party

“I’ve lived in Barnsley all my life.

“After leaving school at 16, I started work as a miner, first at Wentworth Silkstone/Levy Colliery and when Levy closed, to Houghton Main, until that also was closed in 1992.

“Since leaving the mining industry, I’ve worked as a heavy goods driver.

“I’m happily married to Angela Robinson the proud father of two grown children, and a proud grandfather.

“I’m standing for the Socialist Labour Party as a candidate in Barnsley South, challenging the Tories and Labour who are both responsible for Britain’s current crisis.

“Health, education, housing and welfare provision are collapsing, yet the government spends over £200bn on defence weapons which it supplies to both Ukraine and Israel.

“Our party condemns Israel’s unlawful, genocidal war on Gaza.

“The Socialist Labour Party is committed to an NHS free for all at the time of need and on demand.

“We want pensions equal to the average, median wage in Britain.

“Let’s tackle greedy private landlords and mortgages people can’t afford.

“Our party calls for all our basic industries and services to be held in proper public ownership: health care and education, water, energy, housing provision, welfare, telecommunications, the postal service and public transport.

That’s why I’m standing in Barnsley South for the Socialist Labour Party.”