Four women square up for Devizes by-election (From This Is Wiltshire)

Four women square up for Devizes by-election

11:11am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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It could prove to be a family affair if one of two candidates for the Devizes Town Council by-election is voted in.

Following the death of town mayor John Leighton in January four women are contesting the Devizes North Ward seat on April 8.

Mr Leighton’s widow, Julie, is the Conservative candidate while Sarah Bridewell, the daughter of town councillor and former mayor Jane Burton, is the candidate of the Devizes Guardians. Sue Buxton is the Labour candidate and Bridget Selwyn is the Liberal Democrat contender.

Mrs Leighton, 54, said: “When John came home from town council meetings we would discuss it all and I would look through his papers. I had an opinion about everything and I said him ‘I could do this John’.

“With the by-election I just thought, why not stand? I can carry on with what he wanted.”

Mrs Leighton is a part- time shop worker and has a 29-year-old daughter. She has lived in Devizes all her life.

Also standing for election for the first time is Mrs Bridewell, 37, who is married with two sons. She was born and brought up in Devizes.

Mrs Bridewell, a part-time customer adviser for a local bank, said: “Since my mum has been on the town council I have seen what influence she has had on issues.

“I think the town council needs a younger perspective. I know all the councillors anyway but I think it would be nice to challenge them a little bit more.”

Sue Buxton, a part-time primary school teacher, has lived in Devizes for nearly 30 years and she and her husband, Dave, have two grown up sons. Mrs Buxton said: “I just feel at the moment there’s a huge number of issues that need looking at, such as the Primary Care Centre.

“It’s incredible the decisions have been made without proper consultation.”

Mrs Selwyn, 67, is a retired mental health social worker and worked at Roundway and Green Lane Hospitals. She has lived in Devizes for ten years and is married with two daughters and two grandsons. Mrs Selwyn is chairman of Kennet Friends, a day care centre for recovering mentally ill patients, is vice chairman of Kennet Citizens’ Advice Bureau, a Link driver and a volunteer for Devizes Food Bank and Devizes Opendoor.

She said: “I’m very concerned that we ought to be able to influence the new Primary Care Centre and push St Monica Trust and the health trust to include a minor injuries unit.”