With candidates set to go to the polls on 4 July 2024, Oakham Nub News is bringing you information about each candidate standing for Rutland and Stamford to help you make your choice when the time comes.

There's been a boundary change in the Rutland area, with a new seat in the Commons for Rutland and Stamford rather than Rutland and Melton.

Search and view the new constituency boundaries here.

The full list of candidates running for the Rutland and Stamford seat are:

• James Moore (Lib Dem)
• Christopher Clowes (Reform)
• Emma Louise Baker (Green)
• Alicia Kearns (Conservative - currently holds the Rutland and Melton seat)
• Joe Wood (Labour)
• Joanna Mary Burrows (Rejoin EU)

And at Oakham Nub News, we will be introducing you to the candidates ahead of the elections.

We have already chatted to the Green Candidate, Emma Louise Baker, Rejoin EU Candidate, Joanna Burrows, as well as Alicia Kearns, the Conservative Candidate and most current post holder.

Now, Oakham Nub News has caught up with Joe Wood, the Candidate stepping up for Labour in the upcoming elections.

Mr Wood grew up in a rural community very similar to Rutland and is standing in Rutland and Stamford "because my concerns and expertise are a perfect fit for this rural, market-town constituency, similar to the one I grew up in which has so much to offer and so much untapped potential."

He added: "We need to elect a Labour MP who really understands our community and has a voice at the table under a future Labour government."

Mr Wood grew up in rural South Wales, assisting his grandfather on his sheep and dairy farm. After taking part in a youth scheme in Chile, he pursued a career in wildlife conservation, earning a master's degree and establishing his own business in 2009. He conducted research for conservation NGO and advised on energy reduction for commercial clients. He was also director of a company advising the financial services industry on ethical investment opportunities, and educated on environmental issues overseas.

Family time with his wife and son is precious and he serves as a trustee at the James Brindley Academy for children with autism and mental health challenges.

Next up, Mr Woods discussed his priorities with Oakham Nub News, including healthcare and housing.

Mr Woods said: "I understand the issues facing rural communities like ours and I have met with local campaigners, visited local community groups and businesses and spoken with hundreds of local residents. I am working closely with our excellent local Labour Councillors, who have worked hard over the past 12 months to expose the central government funding bias against rural local authorities and the farming sector, and the demand from our communities to prioritise sustainable brownfield housing, skilled employment opportunities, and economic justice. These concerns are constituency-wide, also affecting developments across Stamford and South Kesteven.

"My political commitment and determination to make a positive difference stems from my lived experience and understanding of poverty, of the importance of educational opportunity for all, and of the pressing need to tackle climate change."

Healthcare

"Fixing our healthcare services is a personal priority for me. I have recently been a hospital patient and many close family members work for the NHS so I am acutely aware of the issues our NHS is facing.

"Labour's national policy on NHS reform includes funding 40,000 more shifts by cracking down on tax avoidance. I will prioritise addressing the underperformance of Lakeside Practice in Stamford and the inadequacy of primary care capacity across the constituency. In discussions with residents, I've learned about the desperate shortage of NHS dental services - a resident in Ketton, for example, has been on a waiting list for dental care for seven years! Tooth decay remains a prevalent cause of hospital admissions among children. Labour's dentistry rescue plan aims to provide more urgent appointments and recruit dentists where needed. 

"In Rutland, with cancer waiting lists at the highest ever we have the lowest rate per capita for scanners in the developed world and recently lost a grant. Resolving this issue will be one of my immediate priorities to ensure our community has access to the necessary medical resources through Labour's 'fit for the future' fund. 

"Labour built the NHS and it will be Labour that fixes it. None of the smaller parties have any influence over health policy. Only Labour can fix our NHS."

Housing

"Having met with so many residents, housing has been the most popular topic in addition to healthcare. 

"We currently have a basis of assessing housing 'affordability' that only works for the householders. With an ageing population, whilst our young people move out of the area to get work that pays, newly built homes are those that only those with significant equity can afford. 

"The Labour national policy and the prioritisation of brownfield developments at scale that would ensure that the appropriate infrastructure is moved in lock step with increased housing. Abolishing the situation we have today with every planning application stating that we have inadequate primary care capacity and then they are approved. We also face a critical issue with flooding risk, with funding being cut for years and two significant storms last year.

"The Rutland and Stamford Labour Party, led by our Rutland Labour councillors, have consistently opposed the plans for Quarry Farm and has been actively involved with the Protect Quarry Farm group. We strongly believe that Quarry Farm is a valuable public green space that should not be developed for housing. 

"We are concerned about the negative impact on the local community, including the loss of recreational space for families, dog walkers and children, as well as the lack of infrastructure, services and clear flood risks.

"In addition to our objections to Quarry Farm, the Rutland and Stamford Labour Party will continue to advocate for the development of affordable housing solutions. We believe that this can be achieved through the creation of new towns at locations such as St George's Barracks and Woolfox."

Energy

"I advocate for hosting communities to receive financial benefits from any development. I believe that solar and wind energy should be part of our energy mix for national security and cost reasons. Labour will prioritise the delayed development of the National Grid to allow renewable energy sites to be located more selectively, addressing the current lack of suitable grid connections which result in unsustainable and unwanted proposals like Mallard Pass which I strongly oppose. Farmland should be used for farming and nature. I will also push for innovative approaches, such as utilising warehousing for hosting solar panels instead of using agricultural land."

Change

"After 14 years, five Prime Ministers, Boris Johnson lying about parties, Liz Truss crashing the economy, and Rishi bunking off D-Day, too many to mention broken promises, now is a time for change, not just nationally but here, in Rutland and Stamford. 

He went on to claim: "In Rutland and Stamford we have not been immune to some of these failings. The most recent MP for Rutland and Stamford:

"Claims victory with the £1.5m investment in upgrading Rutland memorial hospital, the reality is 90% of the money was delayed and the results are a repaired roof so patients are not drenched when it rains, a replaced boiler and the removal of asbestos. 

"An MRI scanner for Rutland - the grant has been lost, with the UK having the lowest per capita number of scanners in the developed world

"HS2 Monies seeing £49m for Rutland - Something that was never timetabled by the government

"Fighting for fair funding for our council - Rutland has the highest tax in England! With ever depleting public services and facilities 

"The free trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand will be good for local farmers! George Eustice was Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from (2020 - 2022) and the NFU agree it was a terrible deal for farmers, one which Labour will seek to renegotiate it.

"It is time for change, it is time for Labour."

Mr Wood concluded: "I've worked and lived 'in the real world' and want my background, qualifications and experience to serve the people of Rutland and Stamford. Parliament lacks MPs with genuine experience of issues facing people in rural communities. As a child I witnessed my mother crying with the stress of finding money for rent, food and heating.

"Parliament lacks MPs with scientific training – understanding climate, nature and farming. I want to reform planning to safeguard our countryside from unsustainable development, protect local services and amenities. My background in conservation is key in this, but it's only one local issue I will champion.

"As a rural constituency we have experienced some of the greatest Government funding cuts. My promise, is to work with central and local government to bring about genuine levelling up. I promise no magic fixes, only better choices. I'd be honoured if you vote for me."