LABOUR has reselected local community champion Eleanor Thomson to stand to be councillor for the Guiseley & Rawdon ward at the Leeds City Council elections on May 5th.

Eleanor is chair of the Friends of Springfield Park and Guiseley Wells and has served as a deacon and trustee of a Guiseley church.

Eleanor said: "Since I narrowly missed out on being elected last year I have continued to work for our local community and have been out speaking with local residents every week.

"People want change, and they want someone who is genuinely committed to serving our area, someone who is visible and who really wants to make things better locally.”

Speaking about her motivation, Eleanor added: “I am tired of services across Leeds being lost due to Conservative government funding cuts, and a refusal by our local Councillors to acknowledge this or do anything about it. Time and time again I have observed things not being done, or people not being listened to. I could do nothing, or step up. I decided to step up.”

If elected, Eleanor promises to work differently.

“Now, more than ever, we need honesty and accountability in public life," she added. "I am committed to listening, understanding issues and taking a creative and co-operative approach to finding solutions that work for our area.”

After a successful career in IT and finance, Eleanor worked for several years with new and expectant families and volunteered in local children’s centres.

She has been working locally on a long-term campaign to improve road safety and local bus and rail services. This involves keeping service users informed of changes and listening to their concerns, taking practical action with residents and working with those able to bring about much needed change, like West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin.

*The ward includes Hawksworth, High Royds, Guiseley and parts of Yeadon and Rawdon.