Your candidates in Jesmond

JesmondLocal has asked each of the candidates to tell us a little about themselves, their connections with Jesmond and their policies in brief. Here's what they've told us so far. By Caroline Howley and  Joe Mellor.

In alphabetical order:

Tim Dowson:  Green Party, North Jesmond

"I am a GP, and have lived in Jesmond for nearly 15 years, and nearby for longer. But as well as treating medical problems, we need to try and keep people healthy as much as possible. But the emphasis on growth and centralisation often has a big cost at the local level, worsening social and environmental problems.

"If elected, my priorities for North Jesmond, Newcastle in general, would be supporting public transport and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists; developing energy-saving and recycling schemes in homes, schools and elsewhere; minimising new building in open spaces, such as Jesmond Dene or the Moor; encouraging the development of community and local facilities of all sorts; support for growth of green jobs, which help minimise our environmental impact. The potential for this work is enormous. Such developments are good for residents, communities and the environment, and are often money savers as well.

"Why is the Green Party relevant to local issues? Our policies are as much about increasing local focus as they are to do with the environment directly. Noise, congestion, closure of local shops, long journeys for children even to primary school – these are problems for local people as well as for the environment. Supporting the development of facilities close to people’s homes, schools and workplaces increases social contact and decreases the need for car use."

Tom Hardwick: Labour, South Jesmond

"This is my second time running for council in South Jesmond. I've lived in Newcastle for six years now, the last three in Jesmond, initially as a student and more recently as a permanent resident. I was born and raised in Sheffield and have strong links to north east through my mother who is from Cramlington."

"I'm 25 years old and currently work within public transport in Tyne and Wear. I have always supported the Labour Party as its overarching principles of fairness and social justice are close to my own personal beliefs."

James Marwick:  Conservative, North Jesmond

"I was born in Durham and brought up in Newcastle, attending school in Jesmond for 10 years. After university (Durham) and law school (Nottingham), I spent over two years working as a lawyer in Jersey but the draw of the north east was too great and I returned approximately 18 months ago. I now practise as a barrister on the Quayside in Newcastle, specialising in civil, planning and employment law.

"In my free time, I enjoy playing sport, travelling and taking on endurance challenges. I am a keen rugby player and in August I am cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End for the Wooden Spoon England Rugby Charity. I was part of the campaign team for a parliamentary candidate at the last election and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead."

Tony Waterston:  Green Party, South Jesmond

"I'm a recently retired consultant paediatrician and senior lecturer working at Newcastle General Hospital. My interests in health are in poverty and child health, children's rights and global health and I currently lead the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health teaching programme in the occupied Palestinian territories. I've also worked in Zambia and Zimbabwe and am an editor of the Journal of Tropical Pediatrics.

"I'm a long standing member of CND and Medact (Medical Action for Global Security) and lead the climate and health lobbying group in Medact. I'm also on the climate and health council which is the leading national health professionals' group which is advocating on the health aspects of climate change. My stance locally is focussing on environmental issues, transport and sustainable housing."