Wigan businessman looking to bring change with local election bid

He is running on a platform of making the area cleaner, greener and safer as well as more accessible.

However, Mr Palmer faces a significant political challenge as he is contesting the seat of well-known Hindley Green independent Bob Brierley, who has successfully defied the challenges of the major parties to be re-elected on several occasions in the past and is looking to be picked for another four-year stint in local politics.

He also claimed he could be more effective in backing up words with actions than independent politicians who are not part of one of the big national parties.

Mr Palmer said: “I believe it’s time for change in Hindley Green. The people of Hindley Green deserve more than spin and empty promises. This cannot continue.

“I will continue to support our existing businesses and attract new businesses to the area and to cement agreement with all agencies to bring our much needed medical and community centre to Hindley Green.

“I pledge to secure a fair share of funding to implement the improvements the residents tell me they want to see in Hindley Green.

“I am proud to be of service to my home village and if elected on Thursday I will be a community-focused councillor who will always put what the residents of Hindley Green tell me they want first.

“It’s all about the community, not the individual.”

At 33 Mr Palmer would become one of the younger councillors wearing the red rosette were he to be elected and suggested bringing a new generation into the council chamber could help bring forward a different approach to doing politics in Wigan and Leigh.

He said he has been working alongside Coun John Vickers, who holds one of the three Hindley Green ward seats for Labour, for the past two years.

His manifesto for the election includes working with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to combat problems such as anti-social behaviour, speeding on the ward’s roads and crimes involving cars, businesses and property.

He also says he wants to expand on the work which has already been done to improve transport links in Hindley Green and attract funding for better roads as well as leisure facilities and green initiatives.

He says he also wants to help community-minded residents who are organising litter picks to keep the ward spick and span by providing more litter bins in the area.

Tackling rubbish being dumped has long been one of his areas of interest as he came to public notice in 2019 when he constructed a waste collection cart out of recycled materials and objects and headed out on to the streets to clear up litter that had been dropped.

Like many politicians and activists across the borough Mr Palmer also said he has been helping residents throughout the past 12 months of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He described his work supporting residents and community groups in his local area, delivering equipment and food parcels while people were having ton stay at home or shielding and establishing points of contact for anyone requiring help from the authorities.

The full list of candidates for Hindley Green ward is: Bob Brierley (Independent), Paul Chapman (Conservatives), James Palmer (Labour), Graham Suddick (Liberal Democrats).

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