With just under four weeks to go until polling day, here is a round-up of what the candidates hoping to become Lincoln’s next MP have been up to over the past seven days.
Small business hustings
The FSB Lincoln MP debate at the Bentley Hotel (L-R): Tony Wells (UKIP), Helen Powell (Lincolnshire Independents), Lucy Rigby (Labour), David Dexter (Chair), Ross Pepper (Liberal Democrats), Karl McCartney (Conservative)
Four of Lincoln’s parliamentary hopefuls were grilled by small business owners at a hustings event at the Bentley Hotel on April 7.
The candidates were quizzed on a variety of issues, such as business rates, cybercrime and taking action on late payments, and they all agreed with each other on most of the major topics.
Church leaders in Lincoln have sent an open letter to the election candidates highlighting a perceived growing food crisis in and around the city.
The letter invites each candidate to:
support policies that close the gap between rich and poor
make it easier for claimants to access the benefits they need to ensure that they and their families do not go hungry
challenge the myths that are so often promoted about the poor
Reverend Bruce Thompson, Chair of Poverty Partners, said: “It is absolutely clear to those working on the front line of meeting need in our community that we are facing a food crisis.
“It’s not just those who are out of work that are finding life a struggle at the moment. More and more families are coming to our foodbanks for help.”
The clergy have requested a reply from each candidate by April 30 at the latest.
TUSC campaign launch
The left-wing Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) has launched their general election campaign, pledging “an end to the austerity agenda of cuts and privatisation.”
TUSC candidate for Lincoln, Elaine Smith, said: “Austerity means the rich get richer while the poor get poorer.
“Opinion polls regularly show clear majorities in favour of running our public services, transport networks, and utilities like energy and water for public need not private profit. TUSC is the only party standing in Lincoln arguing for a socialist programme of public ownership and re-nationalisation under democratic control.”
TUSC are fielding more candidates nationally than ever before
Flying visit from Tory chairman
Conservative candidate Karl McCartney was also busy canvassing in the city this week. He was joined on Tuesday by Conservative Party Chairman Grant Shapps who was on a whistle-stop tour of the county, before going out on the streets later in the week with the leader of Lincolnshire County Council Martin Hill.
He also voiced his approval of his party’s apprenticeship plans and commitment to freeze rail prices in real terms during the next Parliament.
He said: “We are giving young people proper training and the prospect of a better future. This will help strengthen our economy and communities and give millions more people financial security.
“Because of the difficult decisions that we have taken to repair the economy, Conservatives in government have been able to freeze regulated fare rises in real terms for the past two years. If elected in May, we’d continue that freeze for the next five years.”
Meanwhile, Lincolnshire Independent Helen Powell visited the newly re-opened Lincoln Castle before hitting the campaign trail.
Helen Powell visiting Lincoln Castle
‘Shock revelation’
Over in the neighbouring Sleaford and North Hykeham constituency, Lib Dem candidate Matthew Holden received a ringing endorsement from Councillor John Marriott… a Liberal Democrat councillor.
The councillor said: “Residents in North Hykeham have been voting Liberal Democrat locally for years; this is because they know we get things done. I am supporting Matthew this May because we need an MP from the local area to campaign for extra money from central government for our roads, bus services and schools.”
Twitter fun
A couple of the candidates also got into some light-hearted election fun on Twitter using the hashtag #constituencysongs. Here are some of the best (or worst) efforts, both by candidates here in Lincoln and from across the country.
You can keep up to date with the latest Lincoln politics news, interviews and events by following our Elections 2015 category, and by using #LincolnVotes on social media.
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A new family-run restaurant and takeaway serving authentic Greek food has opened in Lincoln city centre, and The Lincolnite went to check it out.
Spyridon Tsichlis and his wife Marisofi Kiourtzidou came up with the idea for The Greek Brothers and opened their first restaurant and takeaway in Mansfield in February 2021.
After visiting Lincoln Spyridon said he loved the city and the “beautiful atmosphere” and an opportunity came up to purchase the lease of the building next to Wilko off the High Street on Waterside South, formerly occupied by JayDees and The Fish King.
The Greek Brothers serves a variety of Gyros including chicken, pork, halloumi, and burger. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Souvlaki is another Greek favourite on the menu. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Spyridon bought the lease with his father-in-law Dimitrios Kirtikos and, after a lot of work inside including renovating the kitchen, The Greek Brothers welcomed its first customers on Monday, May 9.
The Greek Brothers takeaway and restaurant is open seven days a week between 11am and 7pm, and Spryidon said he is hoping to extend these hours in the future. Customers can also order authentic Greek street food from the takeaway, including via Deliveroo.
Gabby Kennedy and Spyridon Tsichlis from The Greek Brothers in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Take a look inside! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The new takeaway and restaurant has created four new jobs, with an additional six to be hired in the future.
See the rest of our photo gallery below:
Gabby Kennedy and Spyridon Tsichlis from The Greek Brothers in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
We are investigating a serious assault after a man has received multiple stab wounds.
We received a call to reports that a man had been found with serious injuries in Mareham Lane, Sleaford, at around 3.30pm on Sunday 15 May.
The victim, who is in his 30s, was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
We have arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH). He remains in police custody.
We would like to hear from anyone who may have captured CCTV, dashcam or Go-pro footage in the location at the time the incident was reported, or in the few hours before hand.
Detective Inspector Remy Simon said: “We are carrying out investigations in this area and you may see an increased police presence while we do that. We know this might be worrying, and we would like to reassure you that we believe this to be an isolated incident. There are a number of lines of enquiry we are following up on.
“The victim was found near a busy road and there is a good chance that our local community may have information or footage which could help our enquiries, so we would encourage people to check their dashcams, Go-Pros or CCTV as soon as possible and share anything which may help with us. We’d like to hear about, or view, anything you may have, no matter how small you think it is, as every piece of information could prove vital.”
There are a number of ways to get in touch:
By calling 101 quoting incident number 262 of 15 May.
By emailing force.[email protected]putting incident number 262 of 15 May in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
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