Ashfield councillor deselected from Labour to stand as Conservative in Mansfield

Councillor Lee Anderson, who currently represents Huthwaite and Brierley as a Conservative on Ashfield District Council, was deselected from his position as Labour councillor in January amid “political differences” with the party.

Now, Coun Anderson has put his name down to stand as Conservative candidate for Oakham, a ward on Mansfield District Council that is represented by Coun Kevin Brown of mayor Kate Allsop’s Mansfield Independent Forum.

Coun Anderson recently moved to the Berry Hill area of Mansfield in a change of personal circumstances and says that, now he will not be able to represent Huthwaite and Brierley, he vows to “give Oakham 100 per cent if elected next May”.

He said: “I have spent many years giving Huthwaite everything I have, and I’ve made some amazing friends representing the area.

“I fully believe that if I was to stand in Huthwaite again, even under a Conservative banner rather than Labour when I was elected, I would win hands down.

“I stand by my record as Huthwaite councillor and I have delivered time and time again for the people in my area.

“My mantra is to always put residents first, getting out listening to people and their concerns, and the community is my main priority.

“For Oakham the biggest issue is traffic congestion down the A60, and I will make that my first area to deliver improvement if elected next year.

“We have had more than a decade of the Independents and what have they delivered for the town?

“There is a lot going off in Mansfield with new hotels and businesses and yet the council has been investing in properties outside of town. Why?

“The council needs to show businesses in the area that it is serious about investing in Mansfield infrastructure rather than in Scotland or Manchester.

“Mansfield is a beautiful town and I think the area deserves much better.”

Coun Anderson previously worked in the office of Gloria De Piero, Labour MP for Ashfield, before his dramatic exit from the party in January.

Now, and under a Tory banner, he has taken up a part-time campaigning role under Ben Bradley, Conservative MP for Mansfield.

Coun Kevin Brown was contacted for comment about Coun Anderson’s claims and desire to represent Oakham.