Five Questions - Gareth Snell (Labour)

  • Central
Gareth Snell is the Labour Party candidate, who enjoys a trip to Stoke's Potteries Museum. Credit: ITV News Central

Labour Party Candidate Gareth Snell answers five questions ahead of the Stoke Central by-election.

1. Who do you most admire?My Grandad. Like me, he was a trade unionist and a local councillor. He drove the hard-won fight for worker’s rights back when workers had few protections.

He’s where I got my politics, my campaigning drive and my sense that the more we work together, the better our world can be.

2. Where's your favourite place in Stoke-on-Trent and why?I really enjoy going to the Potteries Museum with my daughter Hannah to see the spitfire. She’s a particular fan of the historical dress up section downstairs too!

I enjoy spending time with my wife, Sophia, and Hannah, around the city making the most of our shops and parks, bumping in to friends and finishing with a meal at Roberto’s Italian Restaurant.

3. What will be your top priority if you win the by-election?My top priority is defending local NHS services in Stoke-on-Trent. I know only too well how important our critical healthcare services are - when my daughter needed emergency surgery when she was a few weeks old, it was the staff of Royal Stoke who looked after her.

That makes me doubly committed to standing up for Stoke-on-Trent's local NHS. I will fight cuts and privatisation at every turn.

4. What is your favourite TV programme?I’m a big fan of the Great British Bake Off – Hannah loves it. We've all had a go at the recipes, with varying success! Mary Berry is our favourite TV judge.

5. What is your favourite song?Bring Me Sunshine was mine and Sophia's first dance at our wedding so always brings back happy memories. Hannah’s favourite song is Happy by Pharrell Williams.

Full list of candidates contesting in the Stoke Central by-election:

  • Mohammad Akram - Independent

  • Zulfiqar Ali - Lib Dem

  • Jack Brereton - Conservative

  • The Incredible Flying Brick - Monster Raving Loony Party

  • Adam Colclough - Greens

  • Godfrey Davies - Christian Peoples Party

  • Barbara Fielding - Independent

  • David Furness - BNP

  • Paul Nuttall - UKIP

  • Gareth Snell - Labour