“Local lad from Penistone” Green Party by-election candidate speaks of transport challenges facing Barnsley
“I’m trying to show people that I am just a local lad from Penistone, and I am just doing my best to try and put people first.”
The Green Party candidate for the Penistone East by-election in Barnsley has spoken about the transport challenges residents are facing.
Ehren Holt has been announced as the Green Party candidate for the upcoming by-election in Penistone East on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
Only 18 years old, he has just finished his A-levels and is preparing to go to university in the coming months.
“I’ve applied to Sheffield, so my plan is flexible. Even if I do go there, it’s not a million miles away,” he said.
“I’d still be able to retain those local connections because I would be coming back to see my friends and family.”
Born and raised in the Penistone area, he says he is informed on the issues troubling residents.
“I might not have decades of political experience but I’ve got a connection to the communities that I’m standing for,” he added.
Regarding the biggest challenges facing Barnsley at the moment, Ehren spoke of public transport in the borough.
“I think one of the things that we need to look at is creating functional ways to get to these improved connections that we have.
“In Ingbirchworth in Penistone East, if you get the bus which runs every 90 minutes, you would then miss the train to get into Barnsley by 10 minutes,” he said.
“Creating a functional system where everything links together, because otherwise there’s no point improving the trains to two trains an hour if nobody can get to them.”
He said he has plans to speak to voters on doorsteps and show that he is “just a normal person”.
“We’re gonna have some content coming out regarding that sort of getting to know me, showing the electorate that I am just a normal person because I think sometimes there’s that bit of alienation between the electorate and who’s standing,” he said.
“I’m trying to show people that I am just a local lad from Penistone, and I am just doing my best to try and put people first.”
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 for the by-election are:
- 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