Stuart Andrew Shepherd
Liberal Democrats candidate for Stocksbridge and Upper Don
I live locally with my wife and three children. I've been a local farrier (maker and fitter of horseshoes) since 1998, supporting local farmers and residents. I am currently a parish councillor where I was originally elected as an independent, but I joined the Lib Dems in 2023. Locally I saw our green belt under threat, poor bus services, and a rise in crime in our area, but local residents were being ignored by our Labour councillors. Even recently they've just voted alongside Green party councillors to concrete over our green belt against the wishes of residents! That's why I joined the Lib Dems and why I'm standing in this by-election. We deserve a strong local councillor who alongside 27 Lib Dem colleagues in the Town Hall can challenge Labour, not a single Reform councillor with no power or influence. I hope you'll lend me your vote on June 26th so we can get one step closer to new leadership on our council.
Previous elections
Stocksbridge & Upper Don (2025)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
Stannington (2022)
Independent· Not elected
Where Stuart fits into things
About the role
The responsibility of a councillor is to represent the people within a ward by making decisions on local services and other local issues.
What councillors do
- Make decisions on local services like housing, roads, and parks
- Represent residents' concerns at council meetings
- Help resolve local issues raised by constituents
- Set council budgets and local tax levels
How to influence
- Attend local council surgeries
- Write or email about local issues
- Attend public council meetings
- Join local community groups
Council
Barnsley