One of these four residents may soon be York’s newest councillor

Micklegate is up for grabs.

Not the street or the run, but the ward. There’s a York council by-election in Micklegate Ward, caused by the decision of sitting Labour councillor Julie Gunnell to step down.

It’s the ward that includes Rowntree Park, the racecourse, South Bank and Bishy Road, the railway station, City of York Council’s West Offices HQ, and of course Micklegate.

Four of the main political parties have now revealed their candidates. They are campaigning on issues including cutting air pollution, reducing anti-social behaviour, tackling poverty and protecting frontline policies.

It is impossible to know who will win – Micklegate ward has three seats, at present held by a Labour, an independent and a Green councillor.

Here, then, in alphabetical order, are the candidates from four of Britain’s biggest parties.

Rosie Baker – Green

Clementhorpe resident Rosie Baker has a background in education and social policy.

She has a partner and young son, and has worked at a research company on North Street and as the party’s office manager.

Since becoming policy officer for York Green Party she is focusing on wellbeing and health. Especially relevant to Micklegate and Rosie as she walks with her son along busy routes to school every day, is the campaign to cut air pollution.

Flooding is also on the agenda for Rosie being a resident and with many neighbours in surrounding flood risk streets, as is getting to the bottom of people’s rubbish and recycling woes a top priority, she says

Jonny Crawshaw – Labour

Jonny, 39, is the father of two young children and has lived in South Bank for the past seven years.

He grew up in Dringhouses and worked in the NHS before returning to York. He led the campaign against academy conversion of the three South Bank Schools and is a parent governor at Scarcroft Primary as well as a spokesperson for the national, parent-led campaign Rescue Our Schools which speaks up for state education.

Jonny believes that York needs to tackle growing poverty and to improve social care.

He will campaign for a strong and sustainable health service and wants York to remain an open and welcoming city with no place for bigotry or racism.

He runs an on-line business selling rare vinyl records and once a month performs as a DJ at the Golden Ball, playing soul music.

Paul Healey – Conservative

Paul has lived in York for many years and runs an IT company.

He is a familiar face in local politics – he previously served on City of York Council between 2007 and 2015, and was deputy leader of the Conservative Group. With these skills Paul is ready to ‘hit the ground running’.

Aileen Hingston – Lib Dem

Aileen is a retired civil servant who has lived in Micklegate ward for 25 years.

Her career involved health and social care, refugee issues, and economic statistics. She has been campaigning to resolve parking problems for residents and to improve local bus services.