Sheffield Lib Dems select Dr Will Sapwell as candidate in Stannington by-election

The area up for election includes Stannington Village, Bradfield, Dungworth, Worrall, Wadsley Park Village, as well as parts of Loxley and Marchwood. The ward has been held continuously by the Liberal Democrats since its formation in 2004, with only the Labour Party ever coming close to challenging them for the seat.

The vacancy was created by the sad death of Vickie Priestley, who had been one of Stannington Ward’s three Liberal Democrat councillors since the ward was created in 2004. She gave nearly 20 years of unbroken service as a councillor and served as a Lord Mayor between 2013-14. She was well known and liked throughout Stannington Ward.

Dr Will Sapwell, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Stannington by-election, said:
“I am delighted to have been chosen by local members to be the Liberal Democrat candidate for this byelection. It is an honour to be standing for Vickie’s seat, and I am determined to honour her legacy of hard work and service to our communities.”

Shaffaq Mohammed, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Sheffield City Council and Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Sheffield Hallam, said:
“Elections in Sheffield Hallam are always between Labour and the Lib Dems, and Stannington is just the same. I’m looking forward to holding Labour to account for their failings on local services including ever poorer bus services. This is a local election about local issues - and it’s clear that Will Sapwell is the best choice for Stannington Ward.”