General Election 2024: Big fight expected for votes in Sheffield Hallam
Sheffield is sending six MPs to Westminster and we have asked the candidates in each constituency to tell us why you should vote for them and what you can expect from them if elected.
Sheffield Hallam used to be a traditional Conservative seat up until 1997 when the Liberal Democrats won there for the first time. In 2005, Nick Clegg the future deputy prime minister won at the general election and he held the seat until 2017 when he surprisingly lost it to Labour’s Jared O’Mara.
Mr O’Mara only served as an MP for two years – and he was later sent to prison for wrongdoings whilst in position – before standing down and Olivia Blake took over in 2019.
Sheffield Hallam is one of the most interesting battleground seats across the country as Ms Blake only won by 712 votes ahead of the LibDems last time.
In alphabetical order, the candidates standing in Sheffield Hallam are:
Olivia Blake – Labour Party
Sam Chapman – Rejoin EU
Andrew Cowell – Social Democratic Party
Isaac Howarth – The Conservative Party
Jason Leman – Green Party
Shaffaq Mohammed – Liberal Democrats
Mo Moui-Tabrizy – Workers Party
So what are the candidates standing for?
Labour’s Olivia Blake is seeking re-election.
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “We have faced a lot of challenges from Covid-19, a cost of living crisis and a lack of action on climate. This election is your chance to kick out the Tories and re-elect a candidate who has delivered on the issues important to you.
“I’ve scrutinised the government on their response to the pandemic for example the poor decision-making around PPE contracts which saw millions of pounds wasted.
“I’ve been a strong voice for the environment, successfully campaigning to tackle damaging moorland burns. I tabled the Climate and Ecology Bill, demanding stronger climate targets, and – together – we drafted the Sheffield Hallam Climate Manifesto, taking your voice into the centre of the Westminster climate debate.
“When the Stannington gas crisis hit, I was on the ground, helping residents and since then have pushed the government’s approach to crisis response, ensuring the most vulnerable receive support.
“I’ve been a strong advocate for the health service, fighting for improved mental health services and successfully campaigning for better care for those who suffer a miscarriage.
“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved. But under a Labour government, we could do so much more. I want to be the strong voice for our area with a seat at the table of a Labour government to transform our community and deliver real change.”
Isaac Howarth from the Conservative Party had this to tell you.
He said: “Having lived and studied in Sheffield, I know the issues that are important to voters. Throughout my time studying and living in Sheffield I’ve worked with schools and charities, and have a keen interest in policies on education, especially youth literacy.
“I’m proud to say that in government, we’ve been delivering on levelling up our education, funding an extra £14.4 billion on education over three years and that we are tripling investment in special educational needs infrastructure.
“In our area, the Labour and the Liberal Democrat MPs that you have sent to Parliament haven’t been your voice and haven’t delivered for you. If you vote for me, I will be and I will do.
“Isaac is chairman of Sheffield Young Conservatives and is active in campaigning for local issues, including the tree felling scandal which was only settled with the intervention of Conservative minister for the environment Michael Gove.
“He became involved in the local political scene after being compelled to act over what he saw was the total failure of Labour to provide a suitable MP for Sheffield Hallam.
“Having an MP who ended up letting everyone down and being then convicted spurred me on. Hallam deserves better.”
The Green Party is sending Jason Leman to the battle for this highly coveted seat.
He told the LDRS: “I’m standing for Hallam because it’s my home and because I want real change. We face big challenges. In my campaign I’ve spoken to people struggling to get care for relatives, GPs thinking about quitting the job, trainee police officers worried about cuts.
“All signs of our public services crumbling. I’ve been contacted by many people concerned about the growth of food banks and the unaffordable cost of living. And we have the climate crisis. In Hallam, we had floods in Endcliffe Park last year.
“We’ve seen food prices skyrocket as farmers battle extreme weather. Sadly we have witnessed many deaths in the heat of this year’s Hajj. The other parties recognise these challenges, but they don’t set out real solutions. The Green Party does.
“We’ll make the super-rich invest their spare cash in schools and hospitals, not just in another yacht. We’ll work together to invest in our communities. We’ll tax fossil fuels and use that money to transform our energy, transport, and housing.
“Rising support for the Green Party tells Westminster that tinkering isn’t enough, we need real change. Voting Green will give hope for the future in Hallam and beyond.”
Shaffaq Mohammed is standing as the candidate of the Liberal Democrats in Sheffield Hallam.
He said: “I am standing to be the next MP for Sheffield Hallam because I believe Sheffield is going to need an alternative voice after this election.
“Sheffield has been my home since I was a toddler, and all of the opportunities I have had in life have been given to me by this fantastic city – from my first job, to being the first in my family to go to university, to being a youth worker for 25 years. I will always want the best for this city.
“I know what won’t be good for our city, and what’s not good for our politics, and that’s monopoly power, and politicians acting with no opposition or diverse voices.
“Labour might win every seat in South Yorkshire, and we are going to need someone who will push the government in the right direction, rather than just toeing the line.
“I’m standing to make sure that we have an alternative voice in Sheffield, that will protect our local environment, champion business and opportunities, and fight for our NHS.”
Sam Chapman, Andrew Cowell and Mo Moui-Tabrizy did not respond before the deadline.