‘Council has failed to do the basics’ Tory by-election candidate speaks on potholes, AI and taxpayers’ money
“Barnsley needs to fully embrace the opportunities being given by the central government to become the first Tech Town.”
The Conservative candidate for the upcoming Barnsley by-election in Penistone East has spoken about potholes, AI in Barnsley and using taxpayers’ money efficiently.
Steven Burkinshaw, a teacher at Barnsley College, has been announced as the Conservative candidate in the upcoming by-election on Thursday, August 20
He has worked as a teacher of uniformed protective services for seven years, preparing students for careers in emergency services, armed forces, policing and other uniform sectors.
The candidate also sits as a magistrate for West Yorkshire.
Mr Burkinshaw says his focus is on utilising Barnsley taxpayers’ money.
“At the moment, times are hard, every penny that we’re paying in tax should be spent effectively. You’ve got people struggling with social care and things like that,” he said.
“To have a council spending £30,000 to £35,000 on a by-election, I don’t think that is the best use of taxpayers’ money.”
He believes that the council has failed to do “the basics” in areas like Penistone East.
“It’s making sure that money is spent on education, fixing local roads; the pavements and roads with potholes are dangerous for cyclists, motorists and pedestrians as well.
“The council for a period of time hasn’t done the basics, fixing the potholes and roads, enforcing parking enforcement near schools and all those things.”
Paving the way for the younger generation, he feels that Barnsley should “fully embrace” opportunities from the government.
“Barnsley needs to fully embrace the opportunities being given by the central government to become the first Tech Town,” he said.
With backing from the government, Barnsley is set to provide local schools, colleges, businesses, NHS and more with government support on using artificial intelligence (AI).
The aim is for Barnsley to see improved public services, better support in schools, quicker NHS care, and new opportunities for jobs and skills for residents.
“Having worked in education, I see how the younger generation are able to use things like AI to build presentations and basic tasks like word processing,” said Mr Burkinshaw.
“We need to be in a position as a town where we can really take advantage of that revolution like we have done with the industrial revolution in the past.”
Voters are encouraged to ensure they are registered by midnight on Tuesday, August 4, in order to vote in the election on August 20.
The full list of candidates standing:
- Eunice Asante – Reform UK
- Steven John Burkinshaw – Conservative Party
- Ehren Holt – Green Party
- Peter Millar – Independent
- John Roberts – Labour Party
- Carlo Turner – Independent
- Andy Waters – Liberal Democrats
- David Wood – Restore Britain