Mark Cann - Labour Candidate - Braunton Rural - Devon County Council
I'm a 70 year-old retired Political Studies teacher having taught at Somerset’s largest comprehensive school until 2009. I moved permanently to Braunton 8 years ago and am married to Val who taught at Kingsacre School.
I'm currently the Chair of North Devon Labour Party. I was also Labour’s candidate in the last 3 Parliamentary elections and have had experience as both a District and Town Councillor. Outside of politics, I enjoy paying golf at Saunton, I'm a long suffering supporter of Crystal Palace FC (my childhood home) and I sing with the Saunton Road Studio choir.
Mark explains why he is now standing as a County Council as a Labour candidate in Braunton.
“Braunton is my adoptive home and I want to see it thrive but I think the time is right for Braunton to be represented by a fresh voice, one who will speak up for those who have suffered the most from the austerity policies of the last 6 years.
“While on the surface, our area seems content with itself there are still major problems that need addressing. As with the rest of North Devon the lack of affordable housing and decently paid employment are major issues. Public services are cut to the bone, social care is in crisis and our hospital services are under threat. Here in Braunton the library is only saved by the commitment and energy of its staff and the excellent support given by the volunteers. Village flooding has threatened our local businesses as financial constraints have seen delays in alleviating the problem and we still wait for the final works to be completed.
“We have too many poorly paid jobs in North Devon with many people suffering the uncertainty of zero hours’ contracts. Finding a reasonably priced place to live in Braunton is a struggle, especially for the young. Years of failure by government have seen too few houses built, especially for rent, with the consequent rise in prices and rents.
“While national government needs to take the lead, I want to see the County Council do more to promote the local economy and to make every effort to encourage affordable housing development.
“Education is still my main passion and the latest news that Devon schools are facing major cuts to their budgets in the next 3 years is devastating. Each of our 4 schools here in Braunton will see their funding cut! As your County Councillor, I will work to do all I can to make sure that the maximum resource available goes to our local schools. We have excellent schools here and we should not allow our young people to be deprived of the teachers and facilities they need.
“Electing a Labour candidate here in Braunton would send a clear message to the County Council and beyond that we reject the economics of austerity that has seen our public services cut. Labour believes in a different approach based on public investment in our local communities and so allow them to thrive and see that those who the state has left behind in recent years are listened to and their needs addressed”
I'm currently the Chair of North Devon Labour Party. I was also Labour’s candidate in the last 3 Parliamentary elections and have had experience as both a District and Town Councillor. Outside of politics, I enjoy paying golf at Saunton, I'm a long suffering supporter of Crystal Palace FC (my childhood home) and I sing with the Saunton Road Studio choir.
Mark explains why he is now standing as a County Council as a Labour candidate in Braunton.
“Braunton is my adoptive home and I want to see it thrive but I think the time is right for Braunton to be represented by a fresh voice, one who will speak up for those who have suffered the most from the austerity policies of the last 6 years.
“While on the surface, our area seems content with itself there are still major problems that need addressing. As with the rest of North Devon the lack of affordable housing and decently paid employment are major issues. Public services are cut to the bone, social care is in crisis and our hospital services are under threat. Here in Braunton the library is only saved by the commitment and energy of its staff and the excellent support given by the volunteers. Village flooding has threatened our local businesses as financial constraints have seen delays in alleviating the problem and we still wait for the final works to be completed.
“We have too many poorly paid jobs in North Devon with many people suffering the uncertainty of zero hours’ contracts. Finding a reasonably priced place to live in Braunton is a struggle, especially for the young. Years of failure by government have seen too few houses built, especially for rent, with the consequent rise in prices and rents.
“While national government needs to take the lead, I want to see the County Council do more to promote the local economy and to make every effort to encourage affordable housing development.
“Education is still my main passion and the latest news that Devon schools are facing major cuts to their budgets in the next 3 years is devastating. Each of our 4 schools here in Braunton will see their funding cut! As your County Councillor, I will work to do all I can to make sure that the maximum resource available goes to our local schools. We have excellent schools here and we should not allow our young people to be deprived of the teachers and facilities they need.
“Electing a Labour candidate here in Braunton would send a clear message to the County Council and beyond that we reject the economics of austerity that has seen our public services cut. Labour believes in a different approach based on public investment in our local communities and so allow them to thrive and see that those who the state has left behind in recent years are listened to and their needs addressed”