7th February 2024 –

With the Kingswood by-election fast approaching, Milestones Trust – a charity that supports people with learning disabilities and mental health needs across South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset, including in the Kingswood constituency – has opened its doors to the political parties, inviting candidates to come and speak with people living in the area about their plans and answer questions.

By inviting the candidates standing in the by-election to speak directly with people supported by Milestones, the charity aimed to ensure that they had every opportunity to be involved in the democratic process and make an informed decision on who they might like to vote for.

Jeff Parry, Director of Operations at Milestones Trust, said:

“Involvement is a hugely important part of what we do at Milestones. Research published by the government after the last general election confirmed that disabled people, including those with learning disabilities and those affected by mental illness still face many barriers to political participation.

“As well as sharing accessible information such as how to register to vote and the need to take voter ID on the day of the by-election, we also wanted to give the people we support the chance to engage directly with the people that want to represent them in parliament, so that their voices could be heard, and so that the candidates understand the issues that are facing their constituents.”

Candidates from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, The Green Party and Reform UK all attended the event on 31^st January; candidates from the Conservative party and UKIP were invited, but were unable to attend on the day.

Damien Egan, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Kingswood said:

“I really enjoyed the event. There were some great questions from the participants. I delivered my message on the need for change, but it was particularly useful for me to hear the concerns of the people that Milestones Trust supports.”

Councillor Andrew Brown, the Liberal Democrat’s candidate said

“It was fantastic to have the opportunity to hear from people supported by Milestone about their concerns and priorities ahead of the by-election. We covered significant areas of policy from the cost-of-living crisis to the state of our roads, from how we make life easier for those with additional needs to the importance of valuing those who are carers whether paid or unpaid. It was clear to me that there was a real feeling that things aren’t working at the moment, and that change is needed, and I believe that the Liberal Democrats offer the change that Kingswood needs.”

Councillor Lorraine Francis, from The Green Party said:

“Unfortunately, in the UK for too long the two parties who hold the power and are now jostling for first place are the same parties who are responsible for challenges we are facing. They take it in turn to blame each other, when they are responsible. We need parliament to be more representative – it’s time that we have a more diverse range of politicians that understand and speak up for the communities they serve.”

Rupert Lowe, Reform UK’s candidate for Kingswood said:

“Kingswood is having a by-election that it should not be having. I am standing to provide the constituency a national voice and a voice that will fight for lower taxes and less restrictions.”

Richard, who is supported by Milestones Trust in Hanham, said:

“It was interesting to hear what the different candidates had to say. I will vote in the by-election later this month, and though I already had an idea of who I would be voting for, the event helped me know for sure.”