Introducing Christine Dawson – Our Reform UK Prospective Candidate for Darwen East Ward

We are delighted to introduce Christine Dawson as our prospective candidate for Darwen East Ward in the upcoming Blackburn with Darwen elections on May 7th, 2026, a proud local resident with a genuine passion for her community and lives in the ward she hopes to represent.

Christine speaks warmly about the area she calls home:

“The warmth and strong community spirit we share is something special, and it’s what makes this area feel like home.”

As a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Christine brings both life experience and a deep understanding of the everyday challenges facing local families.

“I understand the challenges people face day to day, whether it’s parking issues, road congestion, or making sure both younger and older residents feel supported.”

For Christine, these issues are not abstract...they are part of daily life.

“These are the issues I see and experience myself. Like so many residents, I want to see practical improvements that make a real difference to our daily lives.”

Her decision to stand is rooted in her care for the community and desire to make a difference:

“I’m committed to helping make our community safer, better supported, and an even better place to live.”

With a strong connection to the area and a clear focus on local priorities, Christine Dawson is determined to be a positive and effective voice for residents in Darwen East Ward.

Introducing Janine Crook - Our Reform UK Prospective Candidate for Darwen West - A Dedicated Local Voice for Darwen

As we approach the Blackburn with Darwen local elections on May 7th, 2026, we are proud to introduce Janine Crook as our prospective candidate representing our community in Darwen.

Janine is truly a local at heart. Having lived in the area for 55 years, she brings a deep understanding of the town, its people, and the issues that matter most.

“I have lived nearly all my life in our lovely town, with my partner Mick. I raised my family here and continue to run my business here in Darwen.”

A mother of grown-up twins and a long-standing local business owner, Janine’s roots in the community run deep. Her personal and professional experiences shape her commitment to improving everyday life for residents.

Her priorities reflect the concerns of many local families. Janine is passionate about mental health services, stating,

“Improving the availability and quality of mental health services is an important issue for me.”

She also places strong emphasis on education, childcare, and youth opportunities, believing these are essential to giving “all residents a fair and even start in life.”

Janine has a keen interest in animal welfare, the environment, and rural life, all of which influence her vision for a cleaner, greener, and more supportive community. Janine is also focused on ensuring that Darwen benefits directly from the money it generates.

“I will work for all residents and aim to keep money raised by council and business tax in Darwen... to be spent in Darwen, improving our daily lives.”

She has identified three clear priorities for the area:

• Proper maintenance of our woods and parks

• Reducing antisocial behaviour and ensuring a staffed police presence

• Improving traffic flow and road maintenance with more sensible controls

Janine’s message is simple but powerful. Local people deserve a representative who understands their lives, shares their concerns and is committed to delivering real improvements.

With decades of lived experience in Darwen and a genuine passion for the community, Janine Crook is ready to step forward and serve.

Introducing Bradley Langford - Our Reform UK Prospective Candidate for Darwen South

With the Blackburn with Darwen borough council elections now confirmed to go ahead, Reform UK is proud to introduce Bradley Langford as its prospective candidate for Darwen South. A local resident with a clear vision for change, Bradley is stepping forward to represent a community he knows, lives in, and cares deeply about.

“As a resident of Darwen South, I see the potential in our ward, but I also see the neglect. From the state of our residential roads to the lack of visible policing around our town, the current system is failing us.”

Bradley is standing for Reform UK with a straightforward goal: to bring common sense back to the Town Hall. That means focusing on the issues that matter most to local people, starting with protecting valued community assets like Bold Venture Park and ensuring Darwen South remains a place residents are proud to call home.

“Darwen is a fantastic place to live, but for too long, our voice has been ignored. I aim to challenge the ‘business as usual’ culture at Blackburn with Darwen Council.”

His priorities are rooted in everyday concerns shared by residents across the ward. Bradley has pledged to:

• Fight for lower council tax

• Improve maintenance of local streets and infrastructure

• Oppose wasteful ‘vanity projects’ that deliver little for Darwen residents

• Prioritise local people for local services

• Push to reopen the local Police Station

More than anything, Bradley wants to be a councillor who listens.

“I want to represent the ‘silent majority’, the families concerned about school places and the pensioners worried about rising bills. I’m not a career politician, I’m a neighbour who believes Darwen South deserves a representative as gritty and determined as the town itself.”

Bradley is positioning himself as a visible, straight-talking candidate who will stand up for the values, heritage and future of Darwen.

“My promise to you is simple...I will be a councillor who is present, who listens, and who always puts the residents of Darwen South first, every single time.”

As the elections approach, voters in the ward of Darwen South will have a clear choice and Bradley Langford is making his case to be the strong, local voice they’ve been waiting for.