Dear residents of Selby & Ainsty,
For 40 years, I’ve lived, worked and served in our community. I've witnessed firsthand the growing disillusionment that so many feel with the tiresome back-and-forth between Labour and the Conservatives.
We need change. A collective vision for a brighter future. Proportional representation.
Across my professional career and as an elected Councillor, I’ve always stood for what's right, not what's easiest.
In 2022, against all odds, I was elected to North Yorkshire Council with almost 70% of the vote, ousting a Conservative in the process. Residents wanted — no, needed — change, and showed that when we stand together, we can make a difference.
I know the challenges faced by our community. And I don’t need surveys to get me there because I see this every day as a current local representative. The lack of SEN schools, underinvestment in adult social care, NHS waiting lists that are far too long, NHS dentists that are impossible to find, unreliable and expensive public transport, non-existent cycle networks, soaring bills, childcare costs that make returning to work impossible, the list goes on.
We need to stop the unacceptable pollution of our waterways and restore our rivers, and we all deserve to live in homes that are affordable, efficient and sustainable to run in the longterm. We need to reduce our reliance on unsustainable energy generation and international supply.
We need to create safer communities by addressing the root causes of crime, by increasing police numbers, and by turning to known solutions like improving youth provision. We need 20mph limits where people live and play — cleaning our air at the same time as making our roads safer.
We need fairer wages to tackle the cost of living crisis, and public services and utilities that are run for people, not profit. And we must protect and invest in our incredible NHS.
These aren’t political buzzwords to me — they’re commitments.
And for those of you worried about Labour vs the Tories — this is a by-election, not a general election. However you look at it, whoever wins, the Tories will still have a majority on 21st July. It will not be overturned by this or any other concurrent by-election. One more Tory or one more Labour MP in Westminster for one more year (until the General Election) is not going to make a difference to their majority. Greens don’t have ‘whips’ in the way that other parties do, meaning that I can truly represent the best interests of this community.
We want the Conservatives gone as much as you do. But for Labour to listen, we need to send a strong message that people want fairer votes, a greener country, cheaper energy, fairer wages, affordable homes, cleaner water, safer streets — people want action in all of these areas, not u-turns. And whilst Labour’s membership might support PR, its leadership does not.
So now is the ideal time to tell those two parties that you don't like the way politics is being done by them and that it's time to do things differently.
I'm ready to speak up for you, to take action for you, and to make a difference for you.
I work hard for residents all year round, not just at election time, and I'm ready to bring your voice to Parliament.
I'm Arnold Warneken, and I won’t let you down.
Please vote for me today for a fairer, greener country.
