ON THURSDAY, May 5 voters will be going to the polls in the local elections for Worcester City Council.

Worcester News' Political Reporter Tom Edwards continues our election coverage with a look at the ST JOHN'S ward.

THIS is one of Worcester's busiest and most thriving wards - with the 'village in the city' at its heart.

And St John's has also proved very happy hunting ground for the Labour Party over the years, which will again be favourite to triumph.

There are three city council wards representing St John's, which is no bad thing when you consider the potential workload.

Student housing, the future of the university, noise and litter, planning wars, the viability of the shopping units, St John's library, this place makes headlines all the time - meaning those representing it have a lot on their plate.

What makes it interesting this year is that no less than seven candidates are giving it a go, with six of them attempting to unseat incumbent Labour Councillor Christine Cawthorne.

Councillor Cawthorne joined the Guildhall four years ago when a dramatic set of results led to no party being in overall control, leading to then-Labour leader Ed Miliband paying Worcester a visit hours after the count to talk to local branch members.

In 2012 she won by exactly 500 votes, with the Conservatives coming in as runners-up - a familiar pattern in the ward.

Despite being a Labour stronghold the Tories have support of their own, as seen last year when 1,139 voters backed the party when it again came second.

Conservative activist Irene Deamer, who achieved that tally last year, is standing again this time round and will hope to go one further.

The choice for voters in St John's is vast and includes the Green Party, UKIP and the Liberal Democrats.

Two fringe parties are also in the frame at both ends of the political spectrum - with the left-wing Trade Unionists and Socialists Against the Cuts at one end and the far-right British Resistance Party at the other.

Labour not winning here, just like the Tories not winning in neighbouring Bedwardine, seems unlikely.

But with seven names on the ballot sheet and Jeremy Corbyn's struggles to make inroads in the national polls, the size of that majority is worth watching.

CHRISTINE CAWTHORNE (LAB)

Having been St John's councillor for four years, I respond quickly to residents problems and concerns, and how to sort things out.

I am a Friend of Cripplegate Park and a trustee of Worcester Play Council. Fundraising for play events during the school holidays for local children, I was instrumental in getting new play equipment at the Green Centre.

A trustee of Maggs Day Centre and CAB/WHABAC, I raise substantial funds to keep these organisations running and improve facilities.

With Cllrs Lamb and Udall, I pressed for the rules that limit the number of family houses that can be converted to Houses of Multiple Occupancy.

I have campaigned for better access to jobs and apprenticeships for young people and workers with disabilities.

MARK DAVIES (TUSAC)

I oppose continued attacks on our public services, using the excuse that the national debt needs to be paid off; the cuts are just the preparation for the privatisation of council jobs and services, which I would fight.

And how much money is there in offshore accounts? If the tax, that tax we can't avoid, was paid on it, what impact would that have on the national debt? What local services could be saved?

I oppose any reduction in local democracy. Government promised to transfer power to local councils, but the situation is becoming one where planning decisions that affect here are made elsewhere.

I want to see our schools being places that provide good, free education for all, under democratic local authority control.

IRENE DEAMER (CONSERVATIVE)

Whilst canvassing the St John's ward in 2015 I had the privilege of meeting voters at their homes who like me were desperate for change.

Changes that would affect them personally and provide them with a better quality of life.

I know that my lifetime of experiences as a successful business woman, grandmother, widow, and a senior citizen have taught me the value of the pound in my purse.

My work in a local charity shop has also taught me someone worse off who needs a helping hand and it is our duty to help such people.

I know that if I am fortunate enough to gain your trust and your vote and be elected I will use these experiences to provide you with a friend in local government who will be willing to place your needs first.

ALAN DRAPER (BRP)

British Resistance will see money wasted on unnecessary foreign aid, EU membership and senseless wars, is spent on the British people - charity beings at home.

We will ensure the people responsible for the bloodshed in the Middle East, exploitation of our brave soldiers, and subsequent migration of dispossessed people into Europe, stand trial for crimes against humanity.

We will push for Britain’s immediate withdrawal from the EU, de-fund corrupt quangos, end our maddening open-door policy and see that bogus asylum seekers are repatriated immediately.

We will fight to reverse the Islamification of the West and be tougher on crime.

Unlike Labour, the Greens, Lib Dems, Tories, and UKIP, we will put the interests of the British people first.

Vote to reclaim your country. Vote British Resistance.

ROB MENZIES (UKIP)

Concerns in St John’s include street parking, traffic congestion, anti-social behaviour, a lack of amenity areas for children, building on greenfield land and endless pub closures.

Action is required on these and I promise to work hard in addressing resident’s concerns.

UKIP councillors are not bound by any party whip; we’re free to address the concerns of local residents free from party allegiance.

I am a former socialist utterly disillusioned with the left’s betrayal of the British working class. I first moved to Worcester in 1993. I am the former chairman of the Worcester ‘Stop The War Coalition’ in 2003-4.

I have been a social work professional for 23 years and married my Bulgarian partner this year. We have a young daughter.

RICHARD MORRIS (GREEN)

I have lived in Worcester for more or less my entire life. It’s where I was educated, where I work and where I met my wife.

Worcester is a great place to live, yet I believe it could be so much more.

A place with a bright future and a greater appreciation of it’s past.

A place with an even more vibrant city centre, greater community participation and excellent public services.

The only way to achieve this is by overcoming our obstacles as a city.

Crippling congestion, privatised public services, housing policies lacking in common sense and the dismantling of our local NHS are just some of the wrongs that need righting.

This is why I’m standing in St John’s for the Green Party.

ADAM WARNER (LIB DEM)

I have lived in the St Johns area all my life and know how much its residents value their community.

I went to Dines Green Primary School before going to the Royal Grammar School.

My priorities, if elected, would be to address resident’s concerns, whatever they may be, and be a strong independently minded councillor, not dictated by party politics.

I would fight for more infrastructure in areas where we have new housing developments in order to ease congestion.

I would also argue against further local government cuts and argue for keeping as much green open space as possible, as I believe it is vital for any community.