By Voices of Ashbrow Newsdesk –

Community voices, youth concerns and council spending dominate as candidates’ debate ahead of May vote

Residents of Ashbrow Ward gathered both in person and online on Thursday 23 April, for a lively and wide-ranging candidates’ debate & Q&A, as the countdown to the May local elections continues.

Hosted by community activist Louise Lewis at The Top Club on Sheepridge Road, this hustings was a first-of-its-kind event for the Ashbrow Ward.

Invitations were sent out to all political parties and independents ahead of the day, and the event brought together three ward candidates: Labour councillor James Homewood, Independent candidate Michael Forster and Green Party representative Martin Price.

The hour-long session, livestreamed by Kirklees Local Television (KLTV), combined statements from all the candidates, with questions from residents, covering everything from youth services and council funding to governance and community engagement.

The event, organised by KLTV with support from Local Services 2 You (LS2Y), drew over 30 residents in attendance at the Top Club, and more than 50 tuned in to the live stream to watch along and send in additional questions, reflecting a growing interest in local democratic engagement. Since the livestream, the video has been viewed over 200 times.

This year’s local elections take place on 7 May 2026, with all 69 council seats up for grabs across all 23 wards, including the three Ashbrow Ward seats.

The Hustings was hosted by Long-standing Community Activist Louise Lewis

“Local elections matter”

Opening the event, Louise set the tone by emphasising the importance of grassroots democracy.

“Local elections matter because they affect the decisions made by our communities… and the issues that impact daily life,” she said.

She encouraged residents to use the opportunity to “hear from candidates directly” and make informed choices ahead of polling day.

Candidates set out contrasting visions

To open the event, each candidate was given five minutes to outline their priorities.

Independent candidate Michael Forster positioned himself as a campaigner rather than a traditional politician, highlighting his involvement in local causes.

“I’m not a politician. I’m a community activist, and I’m a campaigner,” he said, pointing to campaigns to save hospital services, care homes and sports centres.

He delivered a critique of economic inequality and council spending decisions, arguing that resources should be redirected towards local services.

Labour’s James Homewood focused on experience and stability, emphasising his decade as a councillor.

“I believe in fairness, equality and equal opportunity… that’s what drives me as a councillor,” he said.

He defended council investment in regeneration projects, including the town centre and the George Hotel, arguing they would deliver long-term benefits.

Green Party candidate Martin Price highlighted his professional background and environmental focus, while criticising mainstream parties.

“Greens are not like other political parties. We bring hope,” he said, adding that the party is not funded by “billionaires [or] big businesses.”

Current Ashbrow Ward Councillor and Labour Party Representative James Homewood

Youth services and jobs take centre stage

Once the candidates had delivered their opening remarks, the floor was opened to questions from audience members both in person and online.

Questions from a local youth worker brought a strong focus on young people, including employment opportunities, youth provision and crime.

All three candidates agreed on the importance of youth services, though their approaches differed.

Forster criticised cuts to provision: “We’ve lost all the youth clubs… my commitment will be to fight for extra resources to get those youth centres back open.”

Homewood pointed to existing investment and partnerships: “We’ve turned [Northfield Hall] into a youth hub… that’s something I’ll be continuing to do,” he said, also highlighting apprenticeship funding.

Price stressed the broader role of community and sport: “We need more of that… youth clubs and sports groups certainly helped me when I was young,” he said.

Funding, cuts and council decisions debated

A recurring theme throughout the evening was council funding and the impact of years of budget reductions.

Forster argued councils should take a more confrontational approach with central government: “Councillors have to stand up and demand… more resources… if you do nothing, you’re always going to lose.”

Homewood responded by stressing financial realities.

“We need to be really serious about how council finances work… that’s not the reality of how things work,” he said, warning of risks if budgets are not balanced.

Price described councils as being “squeezed and squeezed” by austerity, calling for broader systemic change.

Green Party Candidate Martin Price

Community voice and trust in politics

Several residents raised concerns about feeling disconnected from decision-making, including the lack of public meetings since the pandemic.

Forster proposed a grassroots approach: “We need to get organised… amplify your voice… that’s how people will be listened to,” he said.

Homewood acknowledged the issue and said ward meetings could return.

“It absolutely could start again… that’s something I would be happy to do,” he said.

Price also supported more regular communication, suggesting newsletters and stronger local engagement.

Deliberation over Council Records

The debate saw particular discussion around council spending and legal costs.

Forster criticised what he described as excessive legal spending in disputes over care homes and services: “That’s a disgrace,” he said, referring to the cost of defending council decisions in court.

Homewood countered that legal challenges required a defence: “If there’s a legal challenge, the council is going to defend its position… it would be crazy not to,” he said.

Final pitches to voters

In closing remarks, candidates made their final appeals to the audience.

Forster emphasised activism: “If you stand up and fight, you can win. If you don’t… You will always lose.”

Homewood highlighted experience and delivery: “I’ve worked hard for the last ten years… and that’s why I’m asking for your vote.”

Price called for political change and collaboration, arguing that alternatives to the main parties are needed.

Independent candidate Mike Forster

Strong turnout signals engagement

As the debate drew to a close, one message became clear: local politics is no longer something residents can afford to sit out.

From rising living costs to continued pressure on council budgets, many of the issues raised throughout the evening reflected the real, everyday challenges facing people across Ashbrow.

Questions from the floor showed a community that is not only aware of these pressures but increasingly determined to have a say in how they are addressed.

Events like this hustings highlight the vital role of public participation in shaping local decision-making.

Whether through attending meetings, raising concerns, or holding elected representatives to account, community-level engagement is key to ensuring voices are heard.

With the local elections approaching, residents now have a direct opportunity to influence the future of their area.

On Thursday, 7 May, voters in Ashbrow Ward will head to the polls to choose who represents them on Kirklees Council. In the face of ongoing economic pressures and difficult decisions about public services, that choice carries real weight.

For those who want to see change – or to protect what matters most – the message is simple: take part, stay informed, and make your vote count.

Residents who missed the live session can watch the full debate online on Kirklees Local TV’s YouTube channel.

Candidates had the opportunity to share their aims and objectives as candidates, before questions from the audience