Clitheroe local, Giles Bridge, will lead the Labour Party’s General Election bid for the Ribble Valley, on December 12.

Since moving to the Ribble Valley in 2001, Giles has worked hard to support his community. He’s currently the chair of the Ribble Valley Labour Party and a charity trustee with Ribble Valley Community Sports Trust.

“I’m really looking forward to getting out there and meeting everyone who cares about the future of the Ribble Valley – especially people who haven’t voted before,” said Giles, of his selection as campaign candidate.

“This is the most important election for a generation. The community will have to choose between Labour’s plans to rebuild our economy and invest in building a green economy for our future, or the Tories failed austerity plan – which has taken an axe to public services, and been particularly brutal to community and business in small towns and rural areas.”

Giles’s care and commitment to his community have long been evident, both in his personal and professional life. A former chair of Gisburn Village Hall, Lancashire, Giles also helped to create a community park for the village. A police officer with West Yorkshire Police from 1991 to 1999, Giles retrained to become a barrister and now practises from Broadway House Chambers, in Bradford, specialising in crime and regulatory work. This career path has given Giles real insight into the effects of Tory austerity on our criminal justice system, with cuts to the Lancashire Constabulary reducing the county’s number of police officers by 763, since 2010. And the passion to work to put things right. Giles led the local campaign to keep Clitheroe Police Station front desk open and accessible to the community, in 2018, for example.

The provision of affordable housing for Ribble Valley residents is a top priority for Giles. He’ll work to ensure a greater provision of social and affordable housing, and said, “Far too much recent house building in the constituency has been expensive housing that just isn’t aimed at the people who live here. An excellent example is the new Labour administration in South Ribble which is committed to restarting the building of council housing and supporting residents from all walks of life in an inclusive way, to strengthen community life for everyone.”

You can contact Giles at gilesbridge4ribblevalley@gmail.com.

Promoted and published by David Waters on behalf of Giles Bridge both of Ribble Valley Labour Party 8 Salthill Road Clitheroe Lancashire BB7 1NU