NEWCASTLE CENTRAL

The Newcastle Central constituency consists of all or part of the following wards:

  • Arthur's Hill
  • Benwell and Scotswood
  • Blakelaw
  • Elswick
  • Fawdon and West Gosforth
  • Gosforth
  • Kenton
  • Monument
  • West Fenham
  • Wingrove

Cllr Ali Avaei and Jo SwinsonThe Liberal Democrats prospective candidate for the next General Election is Cllr Ali Avaei (Seen here with the Leader of the Liberal Democrats Rt Hon Jo Swinson MP)

He can be contacted on ali.avaei@newcastle-libdems.org.uk

INTRODUCING ALI AVAEI

Ali's family moved to Newcastle in 2001 when Ali was a teenager. He quickly came to call Newcastle his home. This is the place that Ali truly deems as his hometown, which is evidenced by his support of Newcastle United, a club where he is a season ticket holder. His passion for football has driven him to become an FA qualified referee. Ali is a keen squash player, enjoys swimming and helps to promote sport for the young and old alike.

Ali RefAli attended St Mary's Comprehensive School in Longbenton and then went on to study a master's degree in pharmacy at Sunderland University. Soon after this, he started his career as a pharmacist and is now the area manager for an independent chain of pharmacies in the North East of England. Ali is based in a pharmacy in Newcastle's West End, where he draws on his passions to help the local community. Ali is a registered Dementia Friend and helps the pharmacy and other local businesses to be friendly and accessible to disabled people. Ali believes that mental health is a very important but often a neglected issue today and must receive more attention from Health & Social Services.

Ali believes strongly in intermediate health and social care, close to people's homes. Ali oversees a project that provides pharmaceutical care for people who have been discharged from hospital, aiding their return home as quickly as possible.

Ali feels that one of the biggest threats in modern society comes from environmental issues and helps to combat this by campaigning for recycling, reducing waste and cutting energy consumption across the community.

In 2007, Ali joined the Liberal Democrats and in May 2019 was elected as councillor for Castle Ward in Newcastle upon Tyne. When joining the Liberal Democrats, the key issue for Ali was the Liberal Democrats opposition to the Iraq war. At a time that both Labour and Tories led the United Kingdom into a lengthy, devastating and unnecessary conflict, the Liberal Democrats were the only main political party standing for reason and common sense. Labour took the UK into a costly war and Tories created the Brexit mess. The clear choice to avoid such catastrophes in future is the measured Liberal and centrist approach. Ali hopes that becoming an MP will enable him to play a significant role in tackling the climate emergency we are facing. Ali is a strong campaigner for diversity and equality and has served as the Liberal Democrats equality officer for Newcastle upon Tyne. Ali will push for Liberal Democrats' agenda in all key issues including:

Better Housing

  • We must increase the resilience of the house-building industry, give local authorities and social housing providers more powers to build more houses. This must be done in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
  • In many parts of the country we have disused and derelict buildings. Close partnership between public and private sector is needed to convert these buildings into suitable homes for young people and families.
  • When building new homes, we must consider the infrastructure that is needed to support the demand of residents. Adequate school places and healthcare needs must be considered in advance of building homes.

Better Foreign Policy and Defence

  • It is crucial for the UK to have close defence and security ties with our EU partners. Solidarity and close partnership amongst European nations is a key deterrent for any hostile action from Russia. At a time that US government seeks isolationism, Europe needs to stay together in face of international threats.
  • Selling arms to countries with poor human rights records should stop. British arms sold to Saudi Arabia will only escalate tension in an already volatile Middle East. UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office diplomats are a major asset. We should use their skills and influence to de-escalate global tensions and conflicts.

Better Mental Health Provisions

  • Mental Health issues need to be tackled with the same urgency as physical ailments. The current suicide prevention budget is not enough and not fit for purpose. We need a caring government to better handle our NHS and when necessary devolve power and budget to local authorities to manage the physical and mental health of local people.
  • Dementia can affect anyone. We need to better educate local businesses to become a truly dementia friendly society.