Ribble Valley Labour Party have selected Mike Willcox and Michael Graveston as candidates for the Primrose Ward (Clitheroe) in next May’s Ribble Valley Borough and Town Council elections.
Graveston – a former County Council candidate (Clitheroe Division 2020) and newly-appointed Chair of Ribble Valley Constituency Labour Party – will contest the seat for the second time, having previously stood in the recent by-election in 2021.
A Clitheroe Royal Grammar School alumni and proud Lancastrian, Michael has achieved a prominent career in broadcasting on radio stations 2BR, The Bee, BBC Lancashire and Ribble FM. He currently works for a leading UK tech firm and is the former Marketing Manager of Blackburn Rovers Football Club.
The 33-year old’s main interests are music, football, politics and walking – you can be sure you will have seen him walking his dog Peaches the pug around the Castle grounds.
“Having been involved in Ribble Valley politics for some time now, it is clear that both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups have no clear plan for our borough. They have become too safe in their seats and only active opposition can help solve the growing number of issues that are besetting our town and borough”
Willcox – originally from Liverpool – spent much of his working life based in Hampshire and moved back to the North and into Ribble Valley after a career in IT project management and finance.
Since retirement he has undertaken family care responsibilities, studied as a postgraduate at Manchester University, served as treasurer of an educational charity and set up a small company of which he is a director.
He has four adult children, and four young grandchildren who live a couple of hours away up the M6.
“All politicians are NOT the same. Labour is the best hope we have to promote the Common Good of all. People deserve better from their government than cynicism and division.”
Mike’s particular interests are in climate change, planning and housing, transport, science and global economic development.
As part of the Labour Party’s National Campaign Day, “The Mikes” will be launching their campaign outside Primrose Nature Reserve at 11am this Saturday (29th October 2022) speaking to residents about their concerns and handing out surveys. Make sure you come and say hi and learn about our vision for a Greener, Fairer Future.