Labour group vow to 'continue to put people and services first'

Polls will open on Thursday with the Journal covering 11 of the wards in the borough.

Labour group members state that, if elected, their party will ensure there will be no council tax increases, have more police officers officers on the beat and more social housing.

The organisation will also help deliver free travel for 16 to 18-year-olds in Greater Manchester and provide support for WASPI women in their campaign against state pension inequality.

The group is also backing Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham's pledge to oppose fracking in the area.

Leigh West candidate Dane Anderton

Leigh East councillor Anita Thorpe

Leigh South councillor John O'Brien

A spokesman for the borough's Labour party group said: "A vote for your local Labour candidate in this election is a vote not only to fight the further cuts that the Tories are imposing on our area, but to ensure your council continues to deliver a balanced budget that puts people and services first.

"This year’s local elections are of pivotal importance to our borough.

"As the Government grinds to a standstill over Brexit, voters are faced with a very real choice between a Conservative party that has imposed unparalleled austerity on our communities and local Labour candidates that oppose such oppressive measures and fight for their residents.

"£160 million is the staggering amount of money that this Tory government has cut from our Council’s budget since 2010. They are the third worst cuts for any local authority in the country with a further £26m in savings needed by 2022."

Atherton candidate Keir Stitt

Atherleigh councillor Mark Aldred

Tyldesley councillor Stephen Hellier

Astley Mosley Common councillor Christine Roberts

"When our area has seen its spending slashed by 43 per cent after inflation, compared to an average of 23 per cent across the country, there is only one conclusion: the Tories have left us behind.

"They are putting our services at risk and, with 2,000 fewer police officers in the region, they are putting our safety at risk.

"Yet despite such cuts, your local Labour Council has ensured that front line services have been protected."

Golborne and Lowton West candidate Gena Merrett

Lowton East candidate Garry Lloyd

Hindley councillor James Churton

Hindley Green candidate John Vickers

The spokesman added: "Through innovations such as the Council’s award winning Deal scheme, Labour councillors have worked with community groups to reduce red tape, build services for families, create opportunities for young people and seek to grow our economy.

"For the sixth year running, your Labour council has frozen council tax, making it the lowest in Greater Manchester, and provide funding to schools and to repair our roads.

"This is on top of the existing pledges for free weekend parking, £2.9 million for social care, increased provision for CCTV in the town centre of Leigh and an investment fund of £10 million for our smaller town centres."

To see the full list of candidates for the 2019 local elections in the areas that we cover click here.

The Labour candidates are:

Dane Anderton - Leigh West

Anita Thorpe - Leigh East (serving)

John O’Brien - Leigh South (serving)

Mark Aldred - Atherleigh (serving)

Stephen Hellier - Tyldesley (serving)

Christine Roberts - Astley Mosley Common (serving)

Gena Merrett - Golborne and Lowton West

Garry Lloyd - Lowton East

Keir Stitt - Atherton

James Churton - Hindley (serving)

John Vickers - Hindley Green