Preston Central East will see six candidates compete for the public’s vote in the upcoming local elections.

Currently held by Labour with a majority of 1,971 then veteran councillor Frank De Molfetta is the incumbent candidate for the division. Whoever wins will represent the area as a county councillor within Lancashire County Council – one of 84 across the county.

The division has already been at the centre of two moments of controversy during the election campaign – with Reform fly-posting to bins across Moor Park, which sits within the division and also accused of spreading misinformation about the soon to close Finney House care facility.

The independent candidate Michael Lavalette, who finished second in the general election last year for the Preston seat, may be confident of securing strong support from the Deepdale sections of the division standing on a Pro-Gaza ticket. He refused to condemn Hamas during a general election debate in the city last year.

Where is Preston Central East?

The map below shows you the borders of the division which runs through sections of Fulwood, Plungington, Deepdale and Ribbleton through to the edge of Preston city centre. You can use this tool on the Lancashire County Council website to see where your voting division is in the LCC elections.

Who are the candidates?

We asked each candidate to complete the following three questions – so you can see more about them, why they are standing and what they believe in. They appear in alphabetical order.

Frank De Molfetta (Labour)

Tell us about yourself…

I’ve lived in Preston for 65 years and worked with Preston Bus for 39 years, reaching the rank of Chief Inspector. I have been both a Preston City and Lancashire County Councillor, each for 20 years. I have children and grandchildren living in Preston. I’ve been very active in my retirement and particularly enjoys walking in the great outdoors. Thanks to my proactive approach as a County Councillor I am well known to many of constituents and have become a respected, trusted and popular advocate for this community. I looks forward to continuing this dedicated service if re-elected on 1st May.

Why are you standing?

I am standing because I want to continue to work hard for the people of Preston. I am passionate about caring for constituents and improving their quality of life. I am particularly keen to improve our highways, especially fixing potholes, and also building schools for our growing population. Adult and children’s social care remain a high priority for me. I would continue to work with Cabinet Members and Officers to get things done, as I have done for many years. Finally, I am determined to get the best new Council structure for the people of Preston and Lancashire.

Why should people vote for you?

People should vote for me because I have proven track record of serving constituents, fixing problems and improving services. With my experience at Preston and Lancashire councils, I know the corridors of power. I am well known for working hard all year round and making myself readily available to help people. I gets things done. I issue regular newsletters and am grateful to constituents for alerting me to concerns. I have supported and campaigned for a peaceful two-state solution in Palestine and Israel for a long time and signed the petition to adopt the definition of Anti-Palestinian Racism.

Darrin Greggans (Reform)

Tell us about yourself…

Hello, my name is Darrin, friends and colleagues call me Daz. I’m 59 years of age and a widower after over 20years of marriage, unfortunately, having children was never an option for us I was born and raised as Lancastrian, and proud of that! I served for 16 years in Her Majesties Armed forces as an infantryman in the Queens Lancashire Regiment, and continued post service as an IT Technician, moving onto being a Project manager in several fields, a job in which I still work. From a personal perspective, I enjoy activities such as dog walking (I have two Labradors (Ozzy and Ruby)) Camping in the great British outdoors, marvelling at our great heritage, be that Stately homes or crumbling 1000-year-old castles\monasteries

Why are you standing?

I have always wanted to help serve my country (as I did as a Soldier) and, being honest, I was always a complainer as to why things were being carried out that I disagreed with. I then decided complaining wasn’t enough, if I wanted to make a difference, to be involved, to help those dearest to my heart (those who share my love for this country and want the best for it) I had to stand-up, be counted, and use what ever I can to help those who share my views. In a word, I’m a Patriot, and want to stand so that, if elected, I can help influence those things we agree on

Why should people vote for you?

Why should you, the good people of Preston Central East, vote for me? A good question, as you don’t know me right now (though I hope you will vote for my representation of yourselves). I am fully determined to help the people achieve their desire to live a decent life in Preston, without the worry of what other parties voted into Council may do against their wishes

Labour has held sway over you for so long, that, it seems to me they carry out their own wishes, in opposition to what you actually want (that’s what happens when they get voted in by default so many times). I want to be accountable to you, the voter, rather than the current way of Council thinking

I want to ensure your elected officials do not avoid the hard questions that affect us all, and avoid accountability. In short, I want to represent you, properly, not be some long-distanced councillor who avoids\ignores\rejects your queries. I live by my Regimental Motto “Loyally I Serve”, and Loyally I will Serve you.

Al-Yasa Khan (Conservatives)

Tell us about yourself…

I’m local resident, having lived in Preston my entire life, with a lifelong commitment to education and community. I currently teach History, Geography, and Religious Education at secondary school, having studied Archaeology at university. My weekends are often spent volunteering at local museums, where I help spread history of Preston’s community. I’m also passionate about giving young people the best start in life, whether through my work volunteering with the Scouts or my time on Preston’s Youth Council. I believe in equipping the next generation with the tools to succeed.

Why are you standing?

I am standing for election to bring a fresh and proactive approach to local governance in Preston Central East. My candidacy is driven by a desire to address pressing issues in the local area; fixing broken roads, ensuring quality education for all, and promoting economic development. I believe that effective representation requires not only understanding policy but also engaging directly with residents to understand their concerns and aspirations, which is why I aim to be a candidate who is visible and approachable in the local community day in and day out, not just at election time.

Why should people vote for you?

Voting for me means electing a candidate who will listen and act, not make excuses and play the “blame game”. My background in education ensures I prioritise policies that support youth development and lifelong learning. As a young, fresh face in local politics, I will represent our community by listening to your problems and working to find solutions to solve. I am committed to transparent, responsive governance and will work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of Preston Central East residents are heard and acted upon. Vote for me to ensure a change for the better.

George Kulbacki (Lib Dems)

Tell us about yourself…

I was born and raised in the Moor Park and Fulwood area of Preston and feel a strong affinity with the people of our culturally rich and diverse community in Preston.

I was a teacher for 35 years until my semi – retirement in 2019. The last seventeen years of my teaching career were spent teaching at Our Lady’s in Fulwood. My other interests aside from politics include, music, walking, cycling, and supporting lost causes on a Saturday afternoon at Deepdale. Nevertheless, I am generally of an optimistic and hopeful disposition, and I believe passionately in teamwork, clear communication and honesty.

Why are you standing?

I feel extremely proud to be able to stand in the forthcoming elections for the Liberal Democratic Party who work extremely hard for local people all year round.

Being selected to stand in the forthcoming election will allow me to work hard for residents at both city council and county council level. As a city councillor, it is often very difficult and frustrating to deal with issues concerning highways, education and social services that are the responsibility of the County Council. If elected, I would be relentless in making ordinary people’s voices heard and helping to resolve their issues. Too often, current county councillors ignore residents’ complaints about road safety, school places and anti-social behaviour. People want their concerns to be taken seriously and to feel safe.

Why should people vote for you?

The Liberal Democrats work hard for the people of Preston and Lancashire all year round. We live in, or in proximity, to the communities we represent. We feel proud to be a part of the communities we work for. If elected, I would work tirelessly to represent all sections of the community. I would be a strong, passionate and persistent voice, getting things done and striving for improvements to our roads, local environment and services.

Michael Lavalette (Independent)

Tell us about yourself…

I’m a retired University Professor. I came to Preston in 1992 to work at UCLAN. Although I changed job in 1996 to work in universities in Liverpool, I stayed in Preston to marry and raise my children. Between 2003 and 2014 I was a Preston city councillor. I have been active in all manner of campaigns in Preston since I arrived in the city: defence of the NHS, against pension and disability cuts, anti-austerity campaigns and trade union campaigns. I’ve been a trade unionist all my life. My main campaigning activity has been against Britain’s wars in the Middle East (from the Iraq war onwards) and against the genocide of the Palestinian people.

Why are you standing?

The main parties don’t listen to us any more. Whether it’s the Tories, a LibDem/Tory coalition, or Labour they all cut our services, attack our pensions and implement ‘austerity’. Under both Tories and Labour the rich get richer and the rest of us are left to struggle. The cost of living goes up, house prices (to buy or rent) are extortionate, our schools are underfunded and the NHS under threat of privatisation. Add to that Labour’s attacks on pensioners and people with disabilities – it just shows that the main parties are all the same. We need a break from the establishment parties.

Why should people vote for you?

I’m standing to speak up for our communities, our campaign groups and our unions. To speak up against further austerity and its impact. I believe in representing people, listening to people and communities and speaking out against injustices and inequality. I don’t believe people should be allowed to hold two elected positions at once (to be both city councillor and county councillor at the same time). If there are two positions, two jobs, we need two people doing them. I will work flat out to represent our communities and defend our services from Labour’s cuts.

Callum Taylor (Green Party)

Tell us about yourself…

Born in Whitehaven in West Cumbria, I moved to Preston in 2014 to train on the Acting Course at UCLan. Since graduating I chose to remain in Preston and have been here since. Alongside work as an actor I spent three years during the pandemic working in the NHS for the North West Ambulance Service as a 111 Health Advisor, and more recently started a new role as a Social Research Interviewer, collecting vital data om issues such as living standards, health and transport for use by the Office for National Statistics and Local and National Government Departments.

Why are you standing?

For too long those of us in Preston Central East have had the same three options at the ballot box. This time we have six. Democracy only works when voters have options. I’m standing to give people in my community the choice. We no longer have to settle for the status quo, or the lesser of evils. And if you’re using this election simply to “send a message” to government, you can do so while voting for a party that thrives on community and inclusion, as opposed to one that thrives on division.

Why should people vote for you?

County Councillors in Lancashire have no control over boat crossings in the channel or decisions made in Westminster. But they can make very positive local change. If elected I will represent the needs of the community acting in your interests freely (as unlike other parties the Greens don’t “whip” their elected representatives to blindly follow a party stance). I could make some big promise to win your vote, but offering easy solutions to big complex issues doesn’t lead to positive change. What I will do however, is listen, and work to build a greener, fairer Lancashire alongside the community.

When is the vote?

The local elections take place on Thursday 1 May with polling stations open from 7am to 10pm.

We will then have full coverage of the local election results as the counting takes place on Friday 2 May. We should expect to know the overall outcome by Friday afternoon.

I’m not in Preston or South Ribble…

You can see the full list of candidates for each area on the county council website. You can also see our breakdown of the candidates for Wyre, Fylde, Ribble Valley and Chorley.

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