Graham Breeze, the co-founder of MyWelshpool, has announced that he will stand as an Independent candidate in a December By-Election for a seat on Powys County Council at Welshpool.
He is to stand for the seat on Llanerchyddol ward previously held by the late Councillor Ann Holloway, with an election scheduled for Thursday, December 15th.
Mr Breeze has served on the same ward on Welshpool Town Council for the past two years after winning a three-cornered by-election in October, 2014 and is chairman of the Council Services & Property Committee and vice chairman of the Town Clerk’s Committee.
He has spent over 40 years in the media industry, having edited both the County Times and Oswestry & Border Chronicle and held several senior posts with NWN Media including Group Editor In Chief and Publishing Director.
He is well known in footballing circles, having managed Newtown, Llansantffraid and The New Saints. In 1996 he led villagers Llansantffraid to a Welsh Cup triumph, taking the team into Europe and was then heavily involved in the club’s transition to TNS and then The New Saints.
He is married to Yolande, who runs Mid Wales Trophies & Engraving in Welshpool and the couple have two sons and four grandchildren.
“A vote for me will not be a wasted one,” he said. “As an Independent I would be both proud and privileged to represent everyone on the Llanerchyddol Ward – not just those wearing political colours.
“I have no hidden agenda or backing from a political party, just a desire to represent the town where I have spent most of my life, and hopefully influence the decisions which will improve things for our children, grandchildren and generations to come.
“If elected I will not be influenced by party politics but will simply fight for each and every person in the Llanerchyddol Ward and the rest of Welshpool too.
“Cuts being made by Powys County Council are presenting serious threats to the services we expect as residents of Welshpool and while we all know difficult decisions are having to be taken I believe many of those decisions are flawed.
“It’s time Powys County Council demonstrated some evidence of joined-up thinking. I’ve seen very little lately, just a lot of political in-fighting.
“Like everyone in the Llanerchyddol Ward I am concerned about decisions affecting our health service, talk of closing the household waste recycling centre, refuse collection, leisure and recreation facilities, our youth club, our library, the new primary school proposals, parking on our streets and estates, the controversial one-way system and all the threatened services we regard as essential.”