Candidates

Alison Byard represents Morpeth Stobhill at Morpeth Town Council and has been selected by the Liberal Democrats to stand for election to Northumberland County Council in the 2021 local elections.

Alison says "Originally from Northern Ireland, I have loved living in Stobhill for the last 30 years. I am married and worked as a Customer Services Manager in a large pharmaceutical firm before becoming a full-time Mum. My two children attended Morpeth schools and are now in further education.

I first stood for election in 2013 because I wanted to give back to the town where we have enjoyed such a good quality of life. I have now been a Morpeth Town Councillor for 8 years and have earned my reputation as an experienced, hardworking and approachable community councillor, with a special interest in Morpeth's heritage.

I have been honoured to serve as Mayor of Morpeth twice and raised £35,000 for Northumbria Blood Bikes. I am involved with many community groups, including the Air Cadets, Friends of Morpeth's Floral Clock and St Aidan's Senior Citizens' Cuppa Club, am a trustee of Morpeth's oldest charity, the Hollon Trust, and served as a Community Support volunteer during lockdown.

I love living in Morpeth and would like to keep it an attractive and successful town, whilst retaining all of its history and character".

Alison can be contacted on:

01670 515391
07963 306549

AlisonByardforStobhill@outlook.com

Andy Cochrane, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Morpeth Town Council & Northumberland County Council for Kirkhill Ward 2021

I am a loyal Northumbrian and long term Morpeth resident. I left school without any qualifications, but made a great life for myself in the Army, coming top of my intake at RMA Sandhurst in 1991, leaving the Army in 2008 with the birth of my 2 children as a Captain. Before I left the Army I gained a BA in History with the Open University and then a Masters in HR Management at Northumbria University. A successful career in Operational and HR management followed. I am a single parent of 2 teenagers, so I am very familiar with many of life's challenges, navigating work, the housing market and benefits system in the 21st century. COVID and home schooling have been an added challenge. I enjoy swimming, cycling, the outdoors in our beautiful county, good food and a cheeky craft ale.

As a Liberal Democrat I am convinced we need to reject the destructive opposition politics of the two main parties. It appears at national and local levels they would rather see the County and Country fail, as long as their opponents don't succeed ! We must instead follow a path of sound, grown up, centrist politics, where people and progress come before any political party.

I've always been passionate about an inclusive caring society, where everyone is given the opportunity, skills and encouragement to follow their dreams. A society should be judged on how it looks after its people, not on how rich its wealthiest members are. COVID has only strengthened those beliefs. It has shown the cost of years of austerity, highlighting shortcomings in social care, access to well being and mental health services and almost broke the NHS. Britain's national and local service have been starved of funding and as a result, millions have suffered, not just during COVID but for years. We have some fantastic public services, we and they deserve better!