2015 General Election - Bradley Stoke Journal

The Parliamentary Constituency of Filton and Bradley Stoke

Filton and Bradley Stoke (FABS) is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament.

The seat was first created by the Boundary Commission for the 2010 general election. It was formed by taking parts of the Bristol North West, Kingswood and Northavon constituencies.

The electoral wards used to create the seat in time for the 2010 election were: Almondsbury, Bradley Stoke South, Bradley Stoke Central & Stoke Lodge, Bradley Stoke North, Downend, Filton, Frenchay & Stoke Park, Patchway, Pilning and Severn Beach, Staple Hill, Stoke Gifford and Winterbourne – all in the South Gloucestershire (unitary) district.

The above text is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article “Filton and Bradley Stoke (UK Parliament constituency)“

The election

Election day is Thursday 7th May 2015.

The full list of candidates will be published on Thursday 9th April 2015.

The South Gloucestershire district elections and the Bradley Stoke town elections are being held on the same day.

The deadline for voter registration is Monday 20th April 2015. If you are unsure whether you are registered to vote, please contact the SGC helpline on 01454 863030.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.

More info:

Elections (SGC)
Election Timetable (SGC)
List of Candidates, 9th April 2015 (SGC)
Statement of Persons Nominated, Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations, 10th April 2015 (SGC)
Result, 8th May 2015 (SGC)

Result

Ian Boulton (Labour) 13,082 votes
Peter Bruce (Liberal Democrats) 3,581 votes
Jack Lopresti (Conservative) 22,920 votes ELECTED
Ben Walker (UKIP) 7,261 votes
Diana Warner (Green Party) 2,257 votes

Turnout: 69.0%

The candidates

Ian Boulton (Labour)

Cllr Boulton lives in the constituency in Staple Hill, which is the ward he represents on the South Gloucestershire Council. He was also the Labour candidate for Filton and Bradley Stoke in the 2010 general election, when Labour came second.

In a statement issued following his selection in October 2014, Cllr Boulton said: “I am so aware that our residents really want an MP who will work for them in Parliament, promote our local interests and deal with our concerns. It would be a privilege to work to ensure all our residents have an MP who is keen to give them a voice in Westminster.”

Website: Ian Boulton – Labour
Twitter: @IanBoulton
Facebook: Ian for Fabs

Peter Bruce (Liberal Democrat)

Peter Bruce, Liberal Democrat candidate for Filton and Bradley Stoke.

Peter Bruce has a background in science and engineering, having previously worked for local firms such as Airbus, and is now involved in a number of local voluntary groups. He has a particular interest in environmental sustainability and is already campaigning for improved public transport links for people who live and work around this part of South Gloucestershire.

Speaking after his selection in February 2015, Mr Bruce said: “I am very pleased to be chosen as the Liberal Democrat candidate to seek the support of the people of Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency to serve and represent them. I have my roots in the constituency area and love its diversity with much to celebrate and preserve in its green spaces, sympathetic architecture, communities and industry. However, the global and local challenges we face will need new creative partnership solutions for the benefit of all.”

Website: Filton and Bradley Stoke Liberal Democrats
Twitter: @petebruce4

Jack Lopresti (Conservative)

Jack Lopresti, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke.

Born in Southmead Hospital in August 1969, Mr Lopresti has lived and worked in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire area all his life. He lives locally in Filton with his wife, Lucy. The couple have three children.

On leaving school, he worked in his family’s ice cream and catering business. He then worked in the financial services and residential property sectors.

Mr Lopresti served with 29 Commando RA as a mobilized reservist for a year and, in the autumn/winter of 2008-9, he was deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 9.

Outlining his priorities for a possible second term as the local MP, Mr Lopresti commented: “Defence of the Realm is the most important duty of any Government and it will remain my highest priority.”

“As a veteran I will continue to represent and work for veterans’ interests in the House of Commons and here locally.”

“If fortunate enough to be re-elected, I will continue to work to ensure that Filton and Bradley Stoke remains at the heart of Britain’s defence industry – delivering investment, manufacturing and high tech jobs.”

Website: Jack Lopresti MP
Twitter: @reelectJack2015

Ben Walker (UKIP)

Cllr Ben Walker lives in Bradley Stoke and represents the Bradley Stoke North ward on South Gloucestershire Council. He is also a town councillor in Bradley Stoke.

Speaking after his selection in January 2014, Cllr Walker said: “I’m honoured to have been selected as the Filton and Bradley Stoke UKIP candidate and will continue to work for people across the constituency and South Gloucestershire. Our branch continues to grow from strength to strength as does our public support and we look to contest as many South Gloucestershire Council seats as possible.”

“People want change as they have been consistently let down by successive parties; we are that change with the representation of people at our core.”

Website: Ben Walker – UKIP
Twitter: @cllrbenwalker

Diana Warner (Green)

Dr Warner lives in Filton and has two adult children. A staunch supporter of the NHS and motivated by improving the health of all, Dr Warner chose a career path as a general practitioner, amassing 25 years of local practice experience. She is currently working in a maternity cover role with the Stoke Gifford & Conygre Medical Centre.

Speaking after her selection, Dr Warner said: “I have decided to stand as MP because I see increasing hardship among all the people I serve. This is due to huge financial inequality, as today the very rich get richer. Those with middle incomes are facing reduction in their wealth and increased working hours and insecurity. Poorer people are having to manage biting austerity. The Green Party is determined to change this. If money is shared more equally we can all benefit from modern technology and innovation and we can all make the choices that will help us to live well.”

Website: Diana Warner – Green Party
Twitter: DWarnerGreens
Facebook: Diana Warner – Green Party