Liberal Democrat candidate · Huntingdonshire District Council

Practical local action, not politics for its own sake

I'm Stephen Claffey, a dad, business director and parish councillor, standing as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Great Paxton Ward. I run businesses and solve problems for a living.

I'm standing because local life matters. Safer roads. Stronger village services. Clearer answers on how the system works. And proper follow-through when something needs pushed.

If you live in Great Paxton Ward, I'd be grateful for your vote on Thursday 7 May 2026.

This election District council election on 7 May 2026, with some parish contests on the same day

This ward Great Paxton, Toseland, Yelling, Great Gransden, Abbotsley and Waresley

This approach Listen properly, explain clearly, push every level that matters, and get things moving locally

Stephen Claffey standing in front of local wind turbines in Great Paxton Ward

Rooted here. Working here. Raising a family here.

My story

I got involved because I'm a dad

A few years ago, I was crossing the road in the village with my son Zech and our dog Hamish, and a car came through at serious speed. It was a near miss, but it was enough. I realised that if we want safer streets and a stronger village life, we have to step up and do the work.

Since then, I have focused on practical action. Not talk. Not point scoring. If something needs doing, I will keep pushing until it moves.

I already serve on Great Paxton Parish Council. Alongside that, my professional background is in leading businesses, working through systems, budgets, delivery and governance, and helping people make sense of complicated things. I bring that same mindset into local public life.

I am standing for Huntingdonshire District Council as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Great Paxton Ward because I want to help make local government understandable, relevant, and worth voting for.

Great Paxton Ward, at a glance

This district ward covers six villages. If you live in any of them, this election helps decide who speaks for your area at district level.

Great Paxton Toseland Yelling Great Gransden Abbotsley Waresley

The local picture

People across the ward are choosing a practical local voice, not Reform, not the Conservatives.

I want to build on existing Liberal Democrat representation locally, keep continuity at district level, and strengthen joined-up support across the ward.

This ward is six villages with six sets of priorities. I take that seriously. What I can offer every one of them is the same thing, someone who listens, pushes, and does not give up until something actually changes.

Local work

What does it look like to be a district councillor?

This is the role I am standing for. A district councillor represents the whole ward, helps residents navigate district services, and pushes issues that affect people across multiple villages. These are not just isolated wins, they reflect a wider Liberal Democrat record of action across the ward, backed by joined-up work with James Catmur, Sarah Caine and Ian Sollom.

Road safety

Backed the Great Paxton LHI bid

I pushed forward and helped secure the Local Highways Improvement bid for traffic calming on the B1043, because safer streets should not be optional.

Stephen Claffey outside the community shop and Bell area in Great Paxton

Community support

Backed the village shop and local services

I worked to help sustain the community village shop, adding practical support, visibility and momentum where it was needed.

Stephen Claffey outside Holy Trinity Church in Great Paxton

Funding secured

Turned plans into results

I wrote and secured two £5,000 grants, one for better street lighting and safer routes, and one for the community shop as part of the volunteer team.

Great Gransden

20mph and chicane support

We worked to support and push forward the Great Gransden 20mph scheme and chicane, backing practical measures that slow traffic and improve village safety.

Waresley

20mph bid backed

We worked to support and help get the Waresley 20mph bid over the line, showing the value of joined-up evidence and persistence.

Toseland

Postbox replacement resolved

We helped push the Toseland postbox replacement issue through, because small village infrastructure still matters when it affects daily life.

Transport

Worked on bus routes 18 and 65

We worked to help secure continuation of bus No. 18, and I worked to push forward route 65, because villages cannot thrive if people are cut off from work, school, healthcare and everyday life.

District role

Represent the whole ward

A district councillor has to think across all six villages, not just one. That means understanding different local priorities and making sure no village feels overlooked.

Follow-through

Keep pressure on until something moves

For me, this is the job. Listen properly. Act on what you can. Push the right people. Keep going until something changes. Try to leave things better than you found them.

A record of action across the ward

The flyer map helps show the bigger picture. Great Paxton, Toseland, Great Gransden, Abbotsley and Waresley all have visible examples of practical Liberal Democrat action, whether that is transport, traffic, grants, village services or local problem-solving.

That matters because the district role is not about one village. It is about understanding the full ward, bringing together local knowledge, and making sure every parish feels represented.

This page reflects that same principle, keep what works locally, then scale the effort across the whole ward.

Campaign leaflet map showing a record of Liberal Democrat action across Great Paxton Ward

Endorsements

Don't take my word for it

What local people have said

“

Stephen cares about his community and has shown that by working hard with his parish council to improve services. This has included working to improve road safety and bus services, as well as the normal parish issues of bins, grass mowing and planning.

James, Church St, Great Gransden

“

Stephen already works hard for Great Paxton as a parish councillor, backing the shop, road safety and village priorities. He cares deeply because he lives here too. He gets involved, follows through, and I believe he will make a real difference for our community.

Racheal, High St, Great Paxton

“

Stephen is a truly dedicated and community-minded individual. He has the positivity, resilience and communication skills to drive real change. Stephen is a person of integrity and is committed to making our lives better. This is why I'll be voting for him.

Simon, Bishops Way, Great Paxton

“

I'm voting for Stephen Claffey, not because of his politics, but because of his commitment, hard work and track record of getting things done as a parish councillor. I have absolutely no doubt that he will bring the same qualities to the entire ward.

Chris, High Street, Great Paxton

“

Stephen Claffey has been an active part of our community for years. He is genuinely invested in making this a better place to live, involving himself in numerous activities and initiatives for the betterment of all residents. He is the kind of person we need to represent us on the district council.

Paul, High St, Great Paxton

“

Stephen Claffey is a dedicated family man who genuinely cares about our community. He works tirelessly, always showing up when our village needs him most. His commitment, reliability and passion make him the right choice to represent and support local people.

Amie, Towgood Way, Great Paxton

“

Stephen is a passionate and active member of the local community who understands the issues important to those living and working in the area. He has worked hard for years to make a difference, and I am confident that by voting for him we will accelerate progress across all issues affecting the everyday lives of those in our community.

Tara, Paxton Hill, Great Paxton

What you're voting for

What are you actually voting for on 7 May?

The key vote here is for district councillor for Great Paxton Ward. Depending on where you live, and whether your local parish election is contested, you may also have a parish or town council vote on the same day. County council, the Mayor and Combined Authority, and Parliament all matter, but they are not the main election taking place now.

You are voting for this now

Huntingdonshire District Council

This is the election I am standing in, as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Great Paxton Ward.

What it covers: planning, housing, waste and recycling, environmental health, and wider community and place issues
Area covered: all six villages in Great Paxton Ward
Election cycle: every 4 years
Current district councillor: James Catmur, Liberal Democrat

The continuity point

Why this district seat matters

This ward already has Liberal Democrat representation at district, county and parliamentary level.

District: James Catmur, Liberal Democrat
County: Sarah Caine, Liberal Democrat
Parliament: Ian Sollom, Liberal Democrat

James is stepping back from the district seat. I have agreed to stand so that we can keep that continuity going and build on momentum that has been missing from district and county representation for decades.

In plain English: when district, county and parliamentary representation are pulling in the same direction, as they are currently, local people are better placed to get clearer answers and proper follow-through. This election is about keeping that joined-up Liberal Democrat stack working for the ward.

How the wider system fits together

Who is in charge where, and when are those elections?

Part of good local representation is explaining the system clearly. Different problems sit in different places. Here is the straightforward version.

County council

Cambridgeshire County Council

This is the strategic county layer and handles many of the services people ask about most.

What it covers: roads, highways, education, social care, libraries, transport strategy, public health

Current councillor here: Sarah Caine, Liberal Democrat

Who runs it now: Liberal Democrats

Election timing: county cycle, not on this ballot

Mayor and Combined Authority

Regional, not ward-based

This works differently. There is one elected mayor, plus broad representation linked across district and county councils.

What it covers: strategic transport, major funding, skills, infrastructure and regional investment

How it works: a single mayor with wider cross-council representation

Election timing: separate from this district election

Parliament

National government

This is Westminster, where national law, tax and wider government policy are decided.

Current MP: Ian Sollom, Liberal Democrat

What it covers: national laws, taxation, NHS policy, immigration, welfare and wider government policy

Election timing: general election cycle, not on this ballot

In plain English: the vote on 7 May is about the district council seat for Great Paxton Ward. The other layers still matter, and part of my job would be knowing how to work across all of them properly.

Parish councils

What does a parish councillor actually do?

Parish councils are village-based, not ward-wide. They are about local representation, local projects, and helping push the right issues up the chain.

Great Paxton

My current parish role

I currently serve on Great Paxton Parish Council. That means listening to residents, helping shape local priorities, supporting local projects, and pushing the right authorities when village issues need action.

Across the ward

Other village parish councils

Great Paxton Ward includes six villages. They do not all share one parish council. Other villages in the ward have their own parish or town councils, each focused on their own local issues and local voice.

Still important

Very local, practical, visible

Parish work is about village spaces, local amenities, community projects, small grants, and making sure residents are heard. It also means knowing when an issue needs to be escalated to district or county level.

Important: if elected to district, I would still attend Great Paxton as a parish councillor, and I would attend parish council meetings across the ward as well, so that every parish has direct access to its district representative.

Support

Your vote carries more weight than you might think

Local elections are often decided by very small numbers. Your vote carries more weight than you might think.

If you want someone who will explain how it works, push every level that matters, and get things moving locally, I would be grateful for your vote.

Email Stephen Back to top

On Thursday 7 May 2026

Vote in the district council election, this is the key vote I am standing in
If relevant in your village, vote in your parish or town council election too
Bring photo ID if voting in person
Need to check registration? Visit gov.uk/register-to-vote

Legal imprint

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Promoted by A VandeWeyer on behalf of Stephen Claffey (Liberal Democrats) all at 15 Ronald Rolph Ct Cambridge CB5 8PX