Thank you to all who voted

I hope and pray that my adoration for this great town and passion for pursuing peace, justice and equality will be evident in the work that I do.

Hastings deserves a proactive and visionary council and that is what we have in the Labour Party.

Our mandate for the coming year is full of optimism and hope and I look forward to working for a fairer and more prosperous future for all in our great town.

Public trust in politicians has been a sore point for ever so long and is something we must all work at rebuilding for the sake of democracy.

Building relationships with the local community, in particular young people and those who have felt disconnected from politics will be at the centre of all that I do.

Empowering a new generation to feel confident in transforming their communities is ever so important; especially in Hastings where our voter turnout was a disappointing 35.7 per cent in the recent local elections.

We must all work together, no matter our political inclinations, on improving these statistics for the EU Referendum on June 23.

Speaking of the community, despite only being in my new role for two weeks, I have already been made to feel most welcome by the community in the ward of Old Hastings.

Firstly, a huge thanks to Dick Edwards and the Hastings Old Town Residents Association (HOTRA) for all of their hard work in improving the Old Town community.

This was made most apparent at their recent AGM at which our High Sheriff, Michael Foster, spoke.

Since then, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed attending numerous events and initiatives in Old Hastings.

One of these being an evening at the Latham’s Brasserie, enjoying delicious food and politically-driven entertainment from the left-wing folk singer, Grace Petrie.

I would also like to express my appreciation to all those involved in the Old Town Night Church for their hard work and dedication, as well as to the Hastings Fishermen’s Museum for organising an enjoyable 60th anniversary celebration, including scrumptious fish rolls from Tush and Pat, as well as the superb singing from the RX Shantymen.

Cllr James Bacon

Old Hastings Ward

Hastings Borough Council

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