READERS have their say on local issues including the upcoming local elections.

‘No party ever gets everything right...’

NICKY STUBBS, Church Court, Brierley

I RESIGNED my Labour Party membership after the 2024 election because, in my view, Starmer and Labour MPs don’t seem to have a political thought between them.

Many people feel the same, so it’s no surprise voters are looking elsewhere. Local elections often become a referendum on the incumbent government but Reform isn’t the answer.

Despite promises to cut council tax, Reform-run councils have raised rates, forcing Farage to deny ever having promised cuts. Their deputy leader in Worcestershire resigned after a planned ten per cent rise.

Reform’s leader in Kent was recorded telling colleagues to “f******* suck it up” if they didn’t like her decision to increase rates by four per cent.

Despite big promises, Reform faces the same reality as every other council, irrespective of the governing party.

I understand people’s anger toward the Labour government, but we must distinguish between the national party and Barnsley Labour.

When the Labour government cut winter fuel allowance, Barnsley’s leadership didn’t wait to see which way the wind was blowing.

They publicly opposed it immediately. Starmer made the wrong decision and Barnsley Labour said so, even though it was uncomfortable and meant rocking the boat. That is the definition of leadership.

About ten years ago, I interviewed Steve Houghton for a PhD I was writing on the long-term effects of pit closures in Barnsley.

He said something that stuck with me: “The very least we can do is give our kids the means to get out. The very best we can do is build a town they want to stay in.”

At the time it sounded like a soundbite but looking at Barnsley Labour’s record, it’s clear it was more than that.

They’ve done far more than most councils to support residents with cost-of-living pressures: helping with school uniforms for every family across the borough, free bus travel for young people, the list goes on.

A decade ago, the town centre was a dump. Now it’s thriving. It’s busy every weekend and widely recognised as one of the country’s best town centres.

Our kids have opportunities kids in other towns would dream of. Recently, Barnsley Council announced its bid for the UK Town of Culture 2028, which would unlock even more investment.

Last month, Barnsley became the UK’s first Tech Town, opening the door to major investment from the world’s biggest technology companies.

Considering that only a few decades ago our communities were amongst the most deprived in Europe, this transformation is nothing short of remarkable.

It’s only been possible because of the vision and persistence of Barnsley Council’s long-term political leadership.

No party gets everything right and there will always be mistakes to point to.

The Labour government have made many and will no doubt pay the price.

But I hope on May 7, voters remember who rebuilt Barnsley from an industrial wasteland into a town many of us are proud to call home.

It would be a huge mistake to replace Barnsley Labour with Reform chancers who risk undoing decades of hard‑won progress.

Labour loyalty not fully returned

JAMES POWERS, Blundell Court, Monk Bretton

BARNSLEY is widely seen as a deeply-rooted Labour town — a South Yorkshire community shaped by coal, industry and solidarity. For generations, voters have consistently backed Labour locally and nationally. Yet many residents now feel that loyalty has not been fully returned.

Labour has controlled Barnsley Council for decades, with little serious opposition, and parliamentary seats have remained firmly in its hands. While such dominance could enable stability and long-term progress, critics argue it has instead fostered complacency.

The collapse of the coal industry in the late 20th century dealt a severe blow to Barnsley. Although no single party is solely responsible, many believe the recovery since has fallen short. Parts of the town centre still face empty shops and low footfall, while younger people often leave for Sheffield, Leeds or Manchester in search of better opportunities.

Despite repeated regeneration efforts, critics say these have not produced a self-sustaining local economy. For a party that positions itself as representing working people, the failure to significantly raise wages, attract major employers or stem outward migration in one of its strongholds is viewed by some as a major failing.

Long-term single-party control can reduce scrutiny. With limited electoral competition, there is less pressure to rethink policies or pursue innovation. Low voter turnout in local elections has reinforced the sense that outcomes are largely predetermined.

Opponents argue that political diversity strengthens accountability, while entrenched dominance risks insulating decision-makers. In Barnsley, some believe Labour has grown too comfortable.

Housing is a key source of frustration. Over 5,000 people are reportedly on the waiting list for council housing, including families and vulnerable residents, many with little realistic prospect of being housed soon.

Applicants often describe repeatedly bidding without success, remaining in overcrowded homes, insecure rentals or temporary accommodation. Given Labour’s historic association with social housing, the scale of unmet demand is politically significant.

Council housing is managed by Berneslai Homes. While it operates within established frameworks, some residents have raised concerns about arrears enforcement, tenancy decisions and administrative processes, with claims that some individuals have lost housing rather than being supported to keep it.

Regardless of individual cases, the broader picture remains: high demand, limited supply and a perception among some residents of insufficient support.

Concerns extend to other areas, including road conditions, social care pressures, anti-social behaviour and visible decline in some neighbourhoods. While funding constraints affect councils nationwide, critics argue that strong local political control should have delivered stronger advocacy, clearer priorities and more innovative responses.

Instead, some suggest the council has become better at managing decline than reversing it.

Frustration is not only practical but cultural. Some long-term Labour voters feel their support is assumed. When loyalty is seen as guaranteed, the incentive to drive meaningful change may weaken.

Barnsley remains a resilient town with strong community spirit. But decades of Labour dominance have not eliminated economic challenges, resolved the housing backlog or prevented growing dissatisfaction.

For critics, the conclusion is clear: in one of its safest heartlands, Labour has not delivered the level of prosperity, housing security or renewal many expected.

Whether this leads to change at the ballot box remains uncertain, but the sense of being taken for granted is increasingly difficult for some to ignore.

This not about ‘giving Reform a go’

WAYNE CHADBURN, Penistone

VOTERS in Barnsley are in danger of being sold a fantasy ahead of the forthcoming local elections and it deserves to be called out.

Reform UK is riding high in the polls nationally and locally, fuelled by anger and frustration.

But anger is not a plan and protest is not a qualification for running a council.

Let’s be absolutely clear Barnsley Council is not a platform for soundbites or social media grandstanding. It is a complex organisation responsible for vital services like social care, housing, planning and waste collection.

Services affecting thousands of lives every single day, yet voters are being asked to hand control of it to a party whose local ranks are completely untested or even competent.

Criticising from the sidelines is easy. Running a council, managing huge budgets, navigating legal responsibilities and making difficult, often unpopular decisions is something else entirely.

Evidence over the last year from Reform-run councils fill me with dread rather than confidence as to their competence in running organisations like this.

This election is not about ‘giving them a go’, it is about whether they are remotely prepared for the job as local leaders when the slogans fade, reality bites.

Residents will not care about political theatre when services slip. They will care about whether their bins are collected, whether vulnerable people are properly supported, and whether decisions are made competently and responsibly.

If Reform takes control, there is a very real danger that Barnsley becomes a testing ground for inexperience at best and dysfunction at worst.

Democracy means people can vote for change but it also means living with the consequences of that choice. So by all means, vote Reform if you want to send a message but just don’t pretend it comes without risk, because once they are in charge, it won’t be a protest anymore, it will be your council, your services, and your community in their hands for the next four years.

Do not be surprised when there are a plethora of local by-elections, costing the council thousands of pounds in the next couple of years when some of these new councillors realise that the role of a councillor means casework, meetings that run for hours, understanding budgets, regulations, procurement, safeguarding and governance.

It means dealing with residents at their most frustrated and sometimes their most vulnerable and often having to tell them some hard truths rather than venting your spleen on the local Facebook page.

Residents of Barnsley, be careful what you wish for and don’t say you weren’t warned.

Election is about OUR town and OUR issues

JOY WALDOCK, Old Town

I CAME to live and work in Barnsley at the end of 1987 when people were still struggling with the devastating effects of the miners’ strike and living under Thatcher’s years of austerity and increasing social inequality.

As a town centre GP and, later, hospice medical director, I saw the effects first hand. Times are still very hard for many people but I do believe that our Labour-run council has transformed the town and has improved our health and wellbeing in a way that is the envy of nearby towns and cities.

The election on May 7 is for our local council and should be about local issues. Whatever you think of national leaders we have a chance in OUR town to allow the council to continue their good work.

They care about us look how they provide help for heating for low-paid workers, give under 18s free bus travel, issue uniform grants and have established accessible Health on the High Street clinics in the town centre.

Over 600 small businesses have been given free business rates to keep them going, we are the UK’s first Tech Town and have just seen the opening of the youth zone and activity park.

The town centre regeneration has been transformative and work is ongoing in the whole borough to improve the main streets.

I am so proud to call Barnsley my home and I will be voting to allow the Labour-run council to continue their good work and ambitious plans. This election is about our issues and the future of our town.

Please join me and vote FOR something good on May 7 and don’t waste your vote as a protest about national issues.

Do not risk everything that has been achieved in our town.