"I believe that representing this community is about one thing: public service, not self-service"

Peter Kates is the Labour candidate for the Worth Valley by-election to Bradford Council 🔴

It is a real privilege to be standing as the Labour candidate for the Worth Valley in the upcoming by-election. I am mindful that this vacancy arose following the tragic passing of councillor Russell Brown.

Russell was a well-liked man who worked incredibly hard for this ward and I know I speak for many when I say that none of us would have wanted a by-election under these circumstances.

I am standing because I believe that representing this community is about one thing: public service, not self-service.

I have lived in the Keighley area all my life and for the last four years I have had the honour of serving as a Keighley Town councillor. That experience, alongside my role chairing a local charity, has shaped my view of what a representative should be.

To me, politics isn’t a vehicle for a personal profile or a platform to shout about “culture war” issues that have very little relevance to our daily lives. I believe that kind of grandstanding is a disservice to the community.

True public service is about being a bridge between the residents of Haworth, Oakworth, Stanbury and Oxenhope and the decision-makers at City Hall. Whether it’s through my council work or my charity role, my focus has always been on getting things done for people.

I want to ensure the Worth Valley gets the fair share of services and investment it deserves. I commit to being a visible, accessible advocate who treats every local issue – whether a neglected road or the protection of our green belt – as a priority to be solved, not a talking point to be exploited.

In recent weeks, I’ve been out talking to residents across the Valley. The message I hear most often is one of exhaustion with the noise of modern politics. People don’t want a politician looking for Westminster headlines; they want a public servant who will pick up the phone, show up to the parish meeting and put in the graft.

I am standing in this by-election and again in the “all out” elections in May alongside my friend and teammate, Luke Maunsell. We are both committed to a brand of politics that puts the community first. By asking for your support now, I am asking for the chance to hit the ground running immediately, proving I can deliver real results for the Valley before the spring.

Listening to residents, it’s clear the focus needs to be on the “bread and butter” issues:

• Our roads: Ensuring our rural roads are fit for purpose and that the Worth Valley receives its fair share of maintenance funding to tackle potholes and safety concerns

• Heritage and environment: Protecting our unique landscape by ensuring any new development is sustainable, respects our heritage and is backed by the infrastructure needed to support it

• Local economy: Being a vocal champion for our independent shops and the tourism that acts as the lifeblood for our villages

Ultimately, I am not here to play political games. The Worth Valley is a special place and it deserves a representative who views the role not as a position of power, but as a position of responsibility. I am ready to roll up my sleeves, listen to your concerns and put the interests of our villages first.