Walking home from the office today Brandon spotted this and has quickly reported it to Leeds City Council!
It’s a great shame that, despite the best efforts of the local community to collect unwanted items from people moving out, we still have to deal with extreme situations like this.
Our community deserves better, let’s respect our area so everyone can enjoy.
It was great to spend some time today speaking with the wonderful staff at the Leeds Blood Donation Centre! 
Whilst there Brandon made his first NHS Blood Donation! Now that blood will be processed and be used to help save the lives of others.
The process was quick, Covid-safe, and the staff were all very friendly.
Today, Brandon used his work lunch break to make his donation, so if you have any spare time you can help save others too by donating blood. To find out more click here.
From today the rules on blood donation have expanded to allow more people than ever to save lives by donating some of their blood.
We have all seen tragic scenes that have happened followed by a call for more people to donate blood. We have all heard about blood banks running low on blood that is vital to save lives. But for so long, many people have been unable to answer those calls.
Today that has changed – now that he is finally able to Brandon has jumped at the opportunity and registered to donate blood for the first time! Only 1 week to go until the appointment.
You too can help save lives by checking if you’re eligible to and registering to donate blood: https://www.blood.co.uk/who-can-give-blood/
First day back after elections and Labour is already in ‘business as usual’ mode. Leeds councillor Paul Drinkwater has quit the Labour Party, describing the current system of council governance as a form of ‘institutionalised bullying’ and calling instead for a committee system which would involve members from all elected groups in council decision-making.
The toxic environment that Labour has created has no place in modern society. Brandon stands with Cllr Drinkwater when he says that no elected representative should be “complicit in the illusion of local government democracy in Leeds” where local ward councillors have very little influence and power is concentrated in the handpicked few.
Cllr Drinkwater said:
I find myself being bullied by the whip system into voting against good proposals put forward by ‘opposition’ parties simply because they were not proposed by the Labour Group and voting for proposals by the Labour executive that I disagree with, such as charging for disposal of certain items at the council’s tips
This speaks volumes as to the way in which Labour has repeatedly failed our city and our local communities, especially in Headingley & Hyde Park.
Brandon supports the proposal of a committee system of council governance which would see members from all elected groups represented on the council’s decision-making boards.
A truly liberal democracy works best when a broad spectrum of views are represented and balanced to create better well-rounded policies for our community. This is what we need to get the best out of our Council and our community.
We are grateful to all those who have supported and voted for us in this local election campaign. 
Was this the outcome we hoped for? No, but the collective voice of our community has spoken and voted for the candidate they believe best serves them at this time. And we wish Al Garthwaite all the best for her next term in office.
What does this mean for the Liberal Democrats in our community? Brandon and the wider Liberal Democrat team will continue to be an active voice for our local community. We will continue to work hard to make sure Headingley & Hyde Park is the best it can be for everyone in our area and we will continue to fight to ensure that the voice of local residents is listened to by those in power. Local communities work best when local problems are fixed with local solutions made with the support of local residents. 
Most importantly – we will keep fighting for a cleaner 
, greener 
, and safer Headingley & Hyde Park 
.
Tomorrow is election day! 
This is your opportunity to show Labour that Headingley & Hyde Park deserves better! Our community deserves representatives who work hard to make our local area better for everyone.
Brandon has dedicated his time and energy to help our community where he can and as your elected Councillor will continue to serve in the best interests of our area.
If you want to see a cleaner, greener, and safer Headingley & Hyde Park – vote for Brandon and the Liberal Democrats!
Today was a very humbling day as a candidate – often we spend a lot of time talking and not enough time listening.
Brandon and Kamran Hussain visited the Woodsley Road Community Centre Food Bank and spent time listening to the volunteers about what they need and what the local community needs to maximise its potential.
Listening to local people and learning about what they need is the best way any candidate or elected representative can best serve the community. As a Liberal Democrat, this is the cornerstone of our approach to representation!
Election day is exactly 1 week away! There is still time to send in your postal vote or plan when to vote on polling day.
This is your opportunity to demand better for Leeds and for Headingley & Hyde Park.
Let’s show Labour that our community is strongest when we all come together to solve local problems. Let’s show Labour that the Liberal Democrats are the best party to make our community cleaner, greener, and safer!
May 6 is just around the corner – if you are voting by postal vote or voting on the day make sure that you vote for the candidate that will best represent our local community.
To help you with that decision – please check out the letter below, which explains why voting for Brandon, as your local Liberal Democrat candidate, will ensure that your voice will finally be heard in Headingley & Hyde Park.
Dear friend,
On 6 May 2021, you have the chance to change Headingley & Hyde Park for the better.
As your Liberal Democrat candidate, I want to fight for our community as your representative on Leeds City Council. I am committed to ensuring that Headingley & Hyde Park is:
GREENER by opposing the expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport in the face of a climate emergency, pushing for better, greener public transport services and introducing kerbside glass and food waste collections.
CLEANER by ensuring that our bins are collected on time, fly-tipping is cleared efficiently, and graffiti is removed.
SAFER for women to walk the streets freely without fear by pushing for the Council to invest in better street lighting and to retain funding for our hard-working Police Community Support Officers.
More of the same or time for change?
For nearly 10 years under Labour, the residents of Headingley and Hyde Park have seen rubbish piling up, graffiti getting out of control, and noise nuisance going untackled.
The Liberal Democrats in Leeds have a strong record of opposing the Labour-run council in the chamber.
By voting Liberal Democrat on 6 May, you can send a strong message to Labour that our community deserves better.
With best wishes,
Brandon Ashford
PS: Remember if you are using a postal vote, you can cast it as soon as you receive your ballot.
Last week Brandon had the privilege of joining host Connor Lawson on his podcast Pint of Politics. They chatted about key issues such as mental health, housing quality, and the importance of young people putting their voice into action and voting for real change in Headingley & Hyde Park.
The Liberal Democrats have what it takes to beat Labour in our ward and to make our community better for everyone. With the additional support of young voters and Young Liberals we can win here.
