Matthew Spoors, of Newark and Sherwood Green Party, announces candidacy for Nottinghamshire County Council elections to be held on May 1
A Green Party councillor has vowed to fight for Newark’s future after officially announcing his candidacy for the upcoming Nottinghamshire County Council elections in May.
Matthew Spoors will be standing as the Green candidate in the Newark East division, which is currently occupied by Nottinghamshire County Council leader and Conservative councillor Sam Smith.
Mr Spoors joined the Green Party in August last year after leaving the Labour Party behind.
He was first elected to the Devon Ward on both Newark Town Council and Newark and Sherwood District Council in May 2023, and served as the district’s portfolio holder for sustainable economic development until his change of parties.
In his work as a councillor and portfolio holder he helped to secure over funding for local businesses, and led initiatives supporting small enterprises and sustainability in the district.
Since entering politics, he has also worked alongside Newark and Sherwood Green Party leader, Emma Oldham, to champion environmental causes, advocate for green space protection, scrutinises environmental policies, and ensures accessibility in planning.
Notably he stood opposed to district council plans to build new homes on an areas of green space on Lowfield Lane — which were later approved — and has pushed for transparency in the sale of public assets.
During the last county council election in 2021, the Green Party established themselves as the main alternative to the Conservatives, securing the second-highest number of votes, and twice as many as Labour, who placed third.
“I’ve worked year-round at district and town levels, securing wins for Newark — funding for businesses, protecting green spaces, and pushing for better services,” said Matthew Spoors.
“Unlike the Conservatives, tied to party politics, I have the freedom to put Newark first. They’ve had years to improve our roads, transport and services — yet little has changed.
“I’ll speak up, challenge poor decisions, and fight for real change.”
He added, “I left Labour on principle because people should come before party politics.
“I’ll always stand with this community and work for a greener, fairer Newark. Only the Greens can truly represent local people here.”
If elected, Mr Spoors has said he will address Newark’s infrastructure issues by fixing potholes, improving public transport and supporting active travel.
As well as this he will “defend financial support for vulnerable residents” and work with farmers to “keep local businesses viable”. He has also committed to preserving community services like libraries and Sure Start Centres, envisioning “a Newark that prioritises people over profit”.
Coming from a working-class background, he also advocates for redistributing wealth from the top 1% to create a fairer system for all.
The Nottinghamshire County Council elections will be held on Thursday, May 1.
Residents must ensure they are register to vote by Friday, April 11, to ensure they are able to cast their ballot. This can be done through the government website.
No further candidates have yet announced their candidacy.
