Posted by 
The Lancashire County Council elections to elect county councillors will take place in May, and the voting registration deadline is next week.
People can vote for the county councillors representing them for the next four years on May 1, and the deadline to register is April 11.
The county council provides major local government services such as education, adult and child social care, highways and transport, leisure, arts and recreation, Trading Standards, and birth, death and marriage registration.
Read more: Preston to seek merger with Lancaster and Ribble Valley in local government shake-up
The current Conservative-led administration chose to go ahead with the local elections, despite many other authorities who are going through Devolution and local government reorganisation, choosing to delay voters going to the polls.
With all 84 seats on Lancashire County Council up for grabs, including 17 seats in Preston and South Ribble, here is a guide to the potential candidates we’ve tracked down so far who are due to stand across the Preston and South Ribble seats. A confirmed list of candidates is due to be released in the next 48-hours for all Lancashire seats and we’ll update this Preston and South Ribble list then.
Preston Central East
Francesco (Frank) De Molfetta (Labour)
As one of Preston’s longest-serving politicians, Frank will compete again for the seat he has held continuously since 2005. The Labour Party member previously served the Moor Park area as a city councillor from 1991 to 2011 before stepping down to focus on family and his county councillor role.
Darrin Greggans (Reform UK)
An IT consultant who previously served in the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, Darrin is a confirmed candidate who promises to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and give local communities a stronger voice.
Michael Lavalette (Preston Independents)
Representing the Preston Independents Party, Michael promises to put “people before profit”, prioritising welfare in Preston rather than warfare in Gaza.
Preston Central West
Matthew Brown (Labour and Co-operative Party)
Matthew will run again for this county council seat, which he currently holds. He has been a Labour councillor for Plungington since 2002 and the leader of Preston City Council since 2018.
Joe Custodio (Reform UK)
Reform UK’s confirmed candidate, Joe, says he will enhance local services and schools and ensure a safer community.
Preston City
Yousuf Motala (Preston Independents)
As Preston City’s county councillor since 2019, Yousuf will run again for this position, representing the Preston Independents. The county councillor quit the Labour Party in 2023, accusing them of racism, Islamophobia, and having a weak stance on Gaza.
Connor Dwyer (Labour and Co-operative Party)
Preston-based Connor is a confirmed candidate who promises to “support and champion local residents, families, vulnerable individuals, businesses, schools, and local services”. Connor is the current councillor for Sharoe Green.
Scott Pye (Reform UK)
As a confirmed Preston City candidate, Scott says he will make the city centre more accessible through free parking and “scrapping the Corporation Street bus lane”.
Preston East
Anna Hindle (Labour and Co-operative Party)
As a county councillor since 2021, Anna is confirmed to stand in this year’s elections. In addition to her county council role, Anna represents Ribbleton as a councillor.
Luke Parker (Reform UK)
Luke is a confirmed candidate who said the people of Brookfield, Ribbleton and Garrison “have been left behind for too long” and promises lower taxation, more police, and decreased bills.
Preston North
Ron Woollam (Conservative)
Current county councillor Ron may run again after holding the position since 2021.
Fiona Duke (Liberal Democrats)
Preston-based Greyfriars councillor Fiona is running for election to invest in Preston’s culture and history, fix potholes, and scrap the Corporation Street bus gate, amongst other policies.
Preston Rural
Sue Whittam (Conservative)
Alongside holding the county council position since 2021, Sue is the lead member for Health, the Deputy Mayor of Preston City Council, and councillor for Preston Rural North. She may stand for her seat again in this election.
Daniel Guise (Liberal Democrats)
As a councillor for Preston Rural North, Daniel will stand for county council elections in May.
Preston South East
Jennifer Mein (Labour and Co-operative Party)
Jennifer is Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Lancashire County Council and has been a county councillor since 2005. She is due to stand for her seat again in this election. The long-serving councillor was previously the leader of Lancashire County Council from 2013-2017.
Nigel Wilson (Reform UK)
Retired doctor Nigel is a confirmed candidate who promises transparency and investment.
Almas Razakazi (Preston Independents)
Preston Independents candidate Almas is due to stand in this election.
Preston South West
Nweeda Khan (Labour)
Holding the position since 2021, Nweeda is due to stand for her county council seat again this election. The county councillor additionally represents the Plungington Ward as a city councillor.
Mark Jewell (Liberal Democrats)
Mark is also the Lib Dem councillor for Lea and Larches Ward, and he is campaigning for a “greener, fairer, and more caring Preston”. He was the county councillor for Preston South West from 2009-2013.
Lee Slater (Reform UK)
Ashton-based candidate Lee is confirmed to run for election, promising “safer streets, better infrastructure, and a stronger voice in local government”.
Emma Mead (Preston Independents)
Emma will stand for election representing Preston Independents.
Preston West
John Potter (Liberal Democrats)
Professional cameraman John has held this county council seat since 2017. He has additionally been a Preston City councillor representing Cadley since 2010 and is the leader of Preston’s Liberal Democrats.
Jemma Rushe (Reform UK)
Engineer Jemma is confirmed to stand for election, promising new infrastructure, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and giving local communities a “stronger voice”.
Leyland Central
Matthew Tomlinson (Labour and Co-operative Party)
Matthew is confirmed to run again in the seat he held from 2001-2009 and continuously from 2013-2025. He currently leads the Lancashire Labour Group. The councillor is also a cabinet member (Finance, Assets and Commercialisation) for South Ribble Borough Council, where he has represented Broadfield Ward since 1999.
Hannah Whalley (Reform UK)
Leyland-based accountant Hannah is a confirmed candidate who promises to “listen, advocate, and work hard for Leyland”.
Leyland South
Jayne Rear (Conservative)
Current county councillor Jayne is confirmed to stand in this year’s elections and has held the seat since 2017. The councillor is additionally a cabinet member for Education and Skills.
Ellie Close (Reform UK)
Ellie is a small business owner who is confirmed to stand for election, promising to drive improvements to make Leyland safe.
Lostock Hall & Bamber Bridge
Jeff Couperthwaite (Conservative)
Jeff, the current county councillor, has held the role since 2021. It is unconfirmed whether he is running for election this year.
Simon Gummer (Reform UK)
Building surveyor Simon from Leyland is confirmed to run for election, promising to ensure the local government addresses concerns.
Moss Side & Farington
Michael Green (Conservative)
Current county councillor Michael will run this year for the seat he has continuously held since 2009. He is additionally the cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing.
Andrew Blake (Reform UK)
Leyland resident Andrew is confirmed to stand for election, promising improved council services in his manifesto.
Penwortham East & Walton-le-Dale
Joan Burrows (Conservative)
Current county councillor Joan has held the seat since 2017. One of her responsibilities is as a Champion for Older People. It is unconfirmed whether Joan will run for election this year.
Lorenzo More (Reform UK)
As an Italian academic and scientist, Lorenzo says he is “keen to give back” in his election manifesto.
Penwortham West
David Howarth (Liberal Democrats)
David is currently a county councillor, holding his seat since 2013. He is the Liberal Democrats Group leader in South Ribble Borough Council, where he represented Howick and Priory from 1995-2007 and then continuously since 2013. David was elected South Ribble’s Mayor in 2022, but whether he will stand this year is unconfirmed.
Wayne Griffiths (Reform UK)
Motor mechanic Wayne, a confirmed Reform UK candidate, promises to work hard and make a difference if elected as a county councillor.
South Ribble East
Barrie Yates (Conservative)
Former engineer Barrie has been the county councillor for this district since 2013, but it is unconfirmed whether he will stand this year.
South Ribble West
Graham Gooch (Conservative)
As the county councillor for this district since 2013, Graham is additionally the cabinet member for Adult Social Care. It is unconfirmed whether he will run again this year.
Tom Lord (Reform UK)
Bretherton-based Tom is a criminal barrister confirmed to stand for election who says he will reverse the “continuous decline” of local council services.
If you’re a candidate standing in the local elections in May for a Preston or South Ribble seat, let us know if you’re standing or not by dropping us a line contactus@blogpreston.co.uk
How to register to vote
Lancashire County Council elections returning officer Mark Wynn said: “The elections in May are your chance to choose the people who will take important decisions about those services in the coming years.
“But you can only have your say in those elections if you are registered to vote.
“If you are not yet registered to vote or wish to apply for a postal vote, there is still time, but you need to act now as the deadline is fast approaching.”
Anyone who requires support to register to vote can visit their local library.
Visit Elections – Lancashire County Council for more information and advice about voting registration.
Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
