Why are people standing in local elections?

The ward of Latchford West is home to Victoria Park

What do a solicitor, a public sector worker, a former music teacher, an MP’s employee and an artist all have in common?

They are all vying to become one of two councillors who will represent the ward of Latchford West on Warrington Council.

In Warrington, 137 people are standing for 58 seats across 22 wards.

But who are the people behind the names on the ballot paper? And what inspires candidates to get involved in local politics in the first place?

The Wilderspool Causeway runs through the ward

Latchford West covers an area from the River Mersey down to the Manchester Ship Canal and one of the town's main routes, the Wilderspool Causeway, goes through the centre of it.

It is home to 67-acre Victoria Park which hosts the annual Neighbour Weekender Festival, and Cantilever Park where National League North team, Warrington Town FC, play their home games.

There are five people standing to become one of two ward councillors.

They are listed below, alphabetically, by surname.

Tim Jordan (Liberal Democrat)

Liberal Democrat Tim Jordan says he wants to follow in his mum's footsteps

Liberal Democrat Tim Jordan is one of those who is standing for the first time - although he has strong family links with local politics as his mum, Celia Jordan, has been involved for many years.

“I’ve seen the things that she’s done and achieved as a councillor and mayor of Warrington, so I just wanted to follow in her footsteps in a small way,” he said.

“She’s just stepped down from the parish council in Stockton Heath at the age of 90, having been on the council for something like 40 years,” he said.

He is combining standing for election with his work as a solicitor and said in his spare time sport was one of his big interests.

“I’m an avid follower of rugby league so I’m a fan of Warrington’s rugby league club, I play golf and I follow other sports like football,” he said, adding that he supports Liverpool FC.

Denis Matthews (Labour)

Denis Matthews from Labour was encouraged by a local councillor to get involved

Labour candidate Denis Matthews was elected to the council last year after winning a seat in a by-election.

He said: “It was one of our local councillors who inspired me to do more and be involved with the campaigning with local charitable groups to try to help people and deliver positive change and that’s led me down the path of eventually standing."

Mr Matthews works in the public sector, often working long days, but says when he is not working he spends time with his wife and their Labrador, Max.

“Max is treated as our child, we’ll go to the local football club, Warrington Town, and he’ll come with us in his football shirt and that’s my version of a day off,” he said.

Maureen McLaughlin (Labour)

Maureen McLaughlin says she first became interested in politics after taking her children to playgrounds in America

Labour candidate Maureen McLaughlin, who was previously a music and drama teacher, has also spent a number of years involved in local politics after first being elected to the council in 2011.

“I spent some time in America and I noticed when my kids were small how good the playgrounds were and I thought that’s something I’d like to get involved in,” she said.

But it was years later she decided to stand.

“At the time I’d been diagnosed with MS and I’d had a relapse and I was just recovering from that," she said.

"I knew I didn’t want to go back to teaching, but also I felt a real need to be a woman in the council and someone who could represent people with disabilities too."

Music remains one of Ms McLaughlin’s hobbies.

“I like going to concerts, all sorts of music but particularly classical music... and I’ve recently become more interested in wildlife and nature, and the garden,” she said.

Stephen Taylor (Conservative)

Conservative Stephen Taylor said a former MP was his inspiration for standing for election

Conservative candidate Stephen Taylor has also previously been a councillor in Warrington, and is a long-standing parish councillor.

He said: “I was brought into politics by the former Conservative MP David Mowet, [who represented Warrington South from 2010-2017], when we actually fought to save the school in Stockton Heath.

“It was better to go down that sort of route and actually try and influence it from inside rather than being a protestor on the outside."

Mr Taylor works part-time for current Warrington South MP, Andy Carter, and spends his spare time painting and has shown his work in some exhibitions.

“I spend about a day a week painting on average and I’m quite a quick painter so I can get a lot done in that time,” he said.

Marc Turner (Conservative)

Conservative Marc Turner says he was inspired to stand by his fellow Conservative candidate

Conservative Marc Turner is another first time candidate.

He decided to stand after meeting his fellow Conservative candidate Stephen Taylor, who he met through their shared love of art.

Mr Turner runs a painting school in nearby Walton Hall and Gardens.

“Stephen came over [to the school] and we seemed to have a lot in common,” he said.

“Just listening to him and his passion, it just encouraged me to want to be involved.”

As well as art being his day job, he said he spent much of his free time painting.

“Art is my passion, and teaching is my passion,” he said, adding that he fits it around doing work on his home.

The Manchester Ship Canal borders the ward of Latchford West

Five candidates with five different backgrounds, lifestyles and interests but all with the same aim - hoping to win votes at the local elections this week.

You can see all the candidates standing in all 22 wards in Warrington on Warrington Council’s website.

Voting will take place on Thursday 2 May, with the count for Warrington Council taking place on Saturday 4 May.