‘No more divisive politics’ Liberal Democrat candidate calls for inclusive council ahead of by-election
“Barnsley was always a welcoming place, and that’s what I would like to see. I would like to see things happen in the town hall that say ‘we are inclusive, we accept everybody’.”
The Liberal Democrat candidate for the Penistone East by-election has called for an end to divisive politics and for a more inclusive council.
Andrew Waters is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the upcoming Penistone East by-election in Barnsley on August 20, 2026.
Elected in a 2024 by-election, he served for over a year as a councillor in Dodworth, but lost his seat in this year’s May local elections.
“Having done a year and a half, I feel I’ve got a bit of unfinished business really, that I haven’t done the job justice by being there long enough helping people in the area,” he said.
“I’ve retired now so I’ve got the time to enable me to do the council work and feel like I’m giving something back to the community.”
Mr Waters worked in engineering for 40 years.
Having lived in the Silkstone area for 40 years, he said he knows the problems that residents are experiencing.
“One of the problems is speeding through the villages. That keeps popping up,” he said.
“Potholes always pop up. A road I’ve driven on from Silkstone to Cawthorne desperately needs resurfacing.
“Fly-tipping is a problem too. I reported some the other day when I was out and about, which has thankfully been moved.”
The candidate says he is concerned about the current ‘divisive’ nature of the council.
“That is one of the issues that people are talking to me about, and they do not want that sort of divisive politics.
“The people I’ve been talking to want to see equality and don’t want to see the division that’s come across from what has happened since the last election,” he said.
“Barnsley was always a welcoming place, and that’s what I would like to see. I would like to see things happen in the town hall that say ‘we are inclusive, we accept everybody’.”
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