Familiar name in borough making first foray into politics

Mr Barton is standing as an independent in Leigh East ward in the upcoming local elections.

Mr Barton served in the police for 32 years before playing a major role in the construction of the Leigh Sports Village (LSV).

He is currently the chair of trustees at the Lancashire Mining Museum at Astley Green but has also felt compelled to make a move into local democracy by trying to become a councillor.

He says he is standing as an independent as he believes residents are fed up of the partisan politics of the major parties.

And his arrival in the race marks Leigh East as a ward to watch as he is seeking to take the seat of Wigan Council deputy leader Coun Keith Cunliffe, who is the Labour incumbent.

Mr Barton said: “Whatever background you have, wherever you come from, I’m happy to support you in looking after the welfare of all the citizens at this end of the borough.

“It’s not about politics, it’s about the people. I’ve never done anything like this before but I think there’s a change afoot in relation to politics. People are getting sick of divisive political parties.

“They want things doing and they want people they can trust to try to get things done and ensure public money goes where it should go. They want sensible things that relate to families and the welfare of the community.

“Hopefully with the things I’ve done I can bring to the council and chamber some of the things I think are important to the community.”

Mr Barton’s website sets out a list of things he would like to support and achieve if he gets elected.

These include ensuring Leigh gets its fair share of money from Wigan Council, working to implement improvement projects like Believe in Leigh and support facilities for young people in the town.

He has also promised to work with the town’s network of community groups, friends’ organisations and grassroots volunteers, improve the look of the entrance to the town and canal, work on Leigh’s heritage, make the streets safer and reinvigorate business and crime prevention panels.

Mr Barton admitted that deciding which ward he would stand in was not a straightforward decision but eventually chose Leigh East as it is a place that he has been involved with throughout his career.

He said: “Leigh East has places in it that are very special to me. I have a terrific affinity with Higher Folds, Leigh Miners Rangers and Bedford High School. Then you’ve got the town centre and the shopping centre.

"It’s a part of Leigh I know well and a fantastic area with things like Lilford Park. It’s a cross-section of things I think I can do something with.

“What I want to do is all about making Leigh a better place to live and work.”

The local elections are on Thursday May 6. The full list of candidates will be published early next month.

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