Hello, I’m Laura Smith, and I’m delighted to be standing as the Green Party candidate for Heatons South. With a deep-rooted connection to our community, having lived in three of the four Heatons, I now call Heaton Chapel home, where I reside with my partner and our two young children. My educational journey began at Didsbury Road Primary School and continued at Priestnall High School. I then pursued my passion for science and the human mind by obtaining a PhD in Neuroscience and Psychiatry from Manchester Metropolitan University in collaboration with the University of Manchester.
I firmly believe in fairness and equality for all members of our community. Every individual in our constituency deserves the right to a safe, pleasant, and clean-living environment, and I am dedicated to ensuring this remains a priority. My commitment to the environment is unwavering, and I hold dear the precious green spaces we are fortunate to have in Heatons South. If elected, I pledge to fiercely protect these invaluable assets. I am a strong advocate for shopping locally and fostering the growth of our neighbourhood businesses. By supporting our local economy, we can create a sustainable community that benefits everyone.
With the first-past-the-post system, it’s common to feel disheartened, questioning whether a vote for the Green Party might be futile, or inadvertently contribute to bolstering a different ideology. However, we should draw inspiration and hope from the achievements of our neighbours in Reddish South, who successfully elected three Green councillors.This demonstrates that change is possible, even within our current electoral framework. Let’s envision a future where Heatons South follows suit. Remember, every vote holds significance, and by voting Green, you contribute to a movement striving for positive change. Please consider casting your vote for the Green Party. Together, we can make a difference.