Mansfield's MP defends decision to stand for county council again

Mansfield's MP Ben Bradley, who is standing at the county council elections next month.

Mr Bradley, who is the town’s first-ever Conservative MP, has been criticised by his political rivals, who say he cannot possibly do both roles.

However, the 31-year-old says tying the two jobs together works well and “is the best way to get things done”.

He has been a county councillor for the last four years, serving the Hucknall North ward, and he is now hoping to land one of two seats up for grabs in Mansfield North at the May 6 elections.

He said: “I already combine the roles and I’ve never missed a vote or a meeting, so there is no issue on that front.

"I have stepped back from the Westminster career ladder and roles in government to invest my energies into getting things done in our local community.

"I became a politician to make our area better, not to get promotions in London.

"Working across both levels, I can make sure everyone is pulling in the same direction and end the frustration we all feel when so much talk doesn’t yield enough results.”

Fellow Conservative, Lee Anderson has announced he is quitting his role as a Mansfield district councillor to concentrate on his job as MP for Ashfield.

And Mr Bradley himself stopped being a member of Ashfield District Council after he was elected an MP, defeating long-serving veteran Sir Alan Meale four years ago.

However, he still feels he has plenty to offer as a county councillor, adding: “Lots of other MPs have other roles, both in politics and elsewhere. It’s not unusual at all, and these two roles actually work really well together.

"There is a huge opportunity to tie together local and national decision-making in a way that helps us deliver more for the area.

"I can flag issues or gain information directly from government ministers at the drop of a hat.”

In total, there are 11 candidates for the two seats in Mansfield North, with two Conservatives joined by two representing Labour, two Independents, two from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition and one each from Reform UK, the Green Party and the Alliance for Democracy and Freedom.