Leeds local elections: the most pressing issues on our readers' minds this May
It’s almost time for Leeds voters to head to the polls once again for this year’s local elections.
Seats in council wards across the city will be up for grabs in May, as 33 seats are contested. Reform leader Nigel Farage held a rally at the First Direct Arena this week as the party hopes to make ground across the country - with other political parties joining a counter-protest outside the arena.
The key dates for the local election campaign have been confirmed, including the looming deadline for registering to vote.
Ahead of the elections, we asked Yorkshire Evening Post readers to tell us the most pressing issues that they want high on the agenda this May. Our comments section was flooded with responses, with plenty of concerns raised.
In one comment with dozens of likes, a reader said: “A candidate who is concerned about local issues and not what's happening 1,000s of miles away.”
Another echoed them, writing: “Local issues, it is the local elections. National and international issues come at the GE.”
In a list of concerns, one reader wrote: “Policing and faster responses to street crimes, particularly shoplifting and anti social behaviour. Fixing the potholes.
“Stopping litter louts and fly tipping. Removing beggars and rough sleepers from the city centre.
“More social housing. An integrated public transport system including the completion of the White Rose Railway Station.”
A rather despondent reader responded: “Transport, but this is Leeds and we don’t do that here.”
One of our readers wrote: “Actually getting the services I pay for my council tax and the council to stop eating money on projects that are a waste of time.”
Echoing this sentiment, another said: “Spend our money wisely and avoid waste.”
While one had a rather pressing concern. They said: “I’ll take a brown bin thank you. The surrounding streets get brown bins, but not my street for some reason as apparently we aren’t entitled to it, but we have gardens same as them.”
In a bit of a different perspective, one reader is hoping for a higher turn out at the polls.
They wrote: “People getting out on the day and actually voting would be good. Plenty moan, but only around 30%? Get off their backside and vote.”