By-election | Sheffield Green Party

A message from Seb Van Bilsen Irias

Walkley is a pretty great place to live. But we can make it even better: water leaks, potholes, fly-tipping. I’m Seb Van Bilsen Irias, and I am the Green Party candidate for the upcoming by-election in Walkley, Upperthorpe, and Netherthorpe on September 17th. I moved here 4 years ago, and I love this area like my home. I was born in Latin America and later lived in France and Italy while studying for multiple physics degrees. And because I’ve lived in different countries, I know that one of the things that makes Sheffield great is that people can come from all over, contribute to the city, and make a life here. As a Councillor, I want to work on improving communities and green spaces so that we can all come together and thrive no matter where they’re from. For years now, Greens have taken action directly in Walkley Ward, even before the May elections, reporting needs and putting pressure on Yorkshire Water to take action. We’ve been doing food bank collections every month for nearly six years and door-knocking to learn how to best represent you on the council. And we have seen recent wins from having a bigger green group in council. We told Palantir to get out of the NHS. We pushed for free bus travel for young people, and we raised 1 million pounds for solar panels in schools. Being a Councillor is no easy task. I’m aware, but I’ve got the skills to do it. I’m an experienced data analytics manager, meaning I know what it takes to see a project from beginning to end. I can work with the team and stick to deadlines. Together with my Green colleagues, we’ll make sure your voice is heard in the council. It was close between us and Labour in May, and it will be close again. But with your vote, we can win and make sure we give Walkley Ward the attention it deserves. So vote for me, Seb Van Bilsen Irias, in the September 17th by-election.

Brian Holmshaw’s letter in the Sheffield Star concerning Lib Dem leaflets.

Dear Editor

LibDem leaflets for the Walkley by-election have put out false information about the closure of the King Edward’s Swimming Pool in Broomhill.

Far from the claim that Greens signed off on the closure of the pool, it was in fact, not a council decision at all. The swimming pool had been run by an independent trust for many years and it was exclusively the decision of the trustees to close the pool in May.

We know the cost of energy to run swimming pools is now very high. Far-sighted councils, such as Green-led Lancaster Council, have managed to develop the first carbon-neutral leisure centre with the Salt Ayre swimming pool heated by renewable sources. As well as fighting to keep all the city’s swimming pools open, I shall be pressing, as Chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure (CPL) policy committee on the City Council, to ensure that climate mitigation measures are central to the way we run our leisure buildings in Sheffield.

Cllr Brian Holmshaw,
Green Party councillor, Broomhill and Sharrow Vale
Chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee (CPL)

Find out more about Walkley candidate Seb Van Bilsen Irias here.

Southey has a choice on 27th August – let’s choose a good local representative who will stand up for our ward.

The Reform councillor in Stocksbridge has voted against a Tram line extension to his own ward – despite pledging support.
Meanwhile, parts of Sheffield that elect Green councillors once keep voting Green again and again because of proven hard work.

Southey has a choice on 27th August – let’s pick smart spending rather than Reform’s wasting of council tax.
Reform has made false claims about savings in councils across the country and wasted thousands on “political assistants” in Kent.
Meanwhile, the Greens are campaigning for a reversal of cuts to youth services to give young people positive spaces and bring down antisocial behaviour.

Southey has a choice on Thursday, 27th August – let’s pick the party on the side of the working class.

The Greens are standing up for a wealth tax on the mega-rich to help left-behind communities.
Meanwhile, Reform is targeting working-class families by cutting support for low-income school uniforms in Barnsley.

We are pleased to announce that Seb Van Bilsen Irias is the Green Party’s candidate in the upcoming Walkley by-election on Thursday, September 17.

After moving to the UK from Central America, Seb developed a deep appreciation for England’s democratic values and community spirit. He has made Walkley his home for the past four years and wants to give back to the community that has been so welcoming to him. He says:

“I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to stand as your local councillor, and I cannot wait to build on the work Andy Davies started.

This will include taking Yorkshire Water to task over their failure to act on Walkley’s decaying water infrastructure at a time of drought. It includes improving the bus services here in Walkley so we can get to work and see loved ones. And also ensuring that the most vulnerable have the support they need so they no longer need to rely on food banks.”

“I’m looking forward to speaking to residents across the ward over the next several weeks to learn more about the issues impacting our community. I hope you will consider voting Green on Thursday, 17 September.”

If you are interested in supporting Seb and the Green Party to act on the issues affecting our community, please email walkleygpdist@gmail.com

Tag: By-election

Election broadcast-Vote for Seb Van Bilsen Irias in the Walkley by election on Sept 17th

Walkley Lib Dem by-election leaflets put out false information.

Southey’s Choice on 27th August. Green v Reform

Seb Van Bilsen Irias to stand in Walkley