NHS Worker Named As Labour Candidate In Plymouth By Election

A hospital worker has been named as Plymouth Labour’s candidate in one of the upcoming council by-elections caused by the resignation of two Conservative councillors.

Will Noble, who is a cleaner at Derriford Hospital, has lived in Glenholt all his life and says it is “a complete honour” to be Labour’s candidate in January’s election in Moor View ward which covers Leigham, Mainstone, Estover and Glenholt.

The election has been called because Shannon Burden, who was elected as a Conservative Moor View councillor in May 2021, stood down 18 months after moving 130 miles from the city shortly after her election.

Ms Burden’s husband Dan Collins had also stood down as a Conservative councillor after he moved to Gloucestershire with her not long after his own election in Plympton Chaddlewood ward the same year.

will Noble Plymouth Labour's Moor View candidate

Will Noble, Labour’s candidate for Moor View ward by-election said: “I am so grateful for the opportunity to represent the people who are my friends and my neighbours in the place I grew up and went to school, Moor View ward is my home.

“People have felt let down that the Conservative Shannon Burden moved away so soon after her election and then refused to stand down,” said Will.

“It was obvious to everyone that you can’t serve as a Plymouth councillor from Gloucester.

Calls for two Plymouth councillors to resign was not a ‘personal attack’

“I know what the issues are across the ward because I have lived here all my life. I have already knocked on hundreds of doors and listened to what people are worried about.

“As well as the cost of living and rising energy and fuel bills, people are upset about things like the recent Conservative proposals to charge for the George Park and Ride and use of the recycling centre.

“It has been such a disappointment for people here who feel betrayed by the Conservatives who made a number of election promises in May which they are now breaking. Only the Labour Party will stand up for hard working people in Moor View”.

Will, who attended Estover Community College (now Tor Bridge), is an Elm Community Centre and Compassionate Cafe volunteer, a regular litter picker in the area as well as being part of North Plymouth Speedwatch.

The elections will be held on 12 January 2023.