Ray McHale for Strawberry Ward
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ray-mchale.bsky.social
Ray McHale for Strawberry Ward
@ray-mchale.bsky.social
3 followers 1 following 25 posts
Independent Socialist & Trade Unionist standing for the Strawberry Ward by-election - Cheshire West and Chester Council - October 2nd 2025.

Promoted by Ray McHale - 12 Oakmere Drive, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, CH66 2XT.
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ray-mchale.bsky.social
We've now knocked on every door in the ward! Thank you to everyone to helped with the final push the past few days.

#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester #byelection #councilelection #independent #independentcandidate #localandvocal
A photo of 3 men (including Ray) and 1 woman taken indoors. They are all smiling at the camera and holding leaflets and posters promoting Ray McHale's campaign A photo of 3 men (including Ray) stood outside on some grass backed by a row of bushes. They are all smiling at the camera, wearing stickers and holding clipboards and leaflets Councillors Jimmy Shannon and Gill Watson stood outside in a local street. Gill is holding a clipboard and wearing two stickers on a long blue coat. Jimmy has his arm around Gill and is wearing a hat and a black jacket. He is holding up a leaflet that says "vote ray mchale"
October 1, 2025 at 9:57 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
Some detailed election thoughts as we approach election day, which any councillor might want to take up.

#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester #byelection #councilelection #independent #independentcandidate #localandvocal
due to character limit, if you would like a fully typed transcript of this page, please email ray.d.mchale@gmail.com due to character limit, if you would like a fully typed transcript of this page, please email ray.d.mchale@gmail.com due to character limit, if you would like a fully typed transcript of this page, please email ray.d.mchale@gmail.com A poster largely made up of a photo of Ray McHale who is a man with short brown hair wearing a red polo shirt and smiling into the camera. The poster says "strawberry ward by-election, thursday 2nd october, vote Ray McHale Independent, a socialist and trade unionist"
October 1, 2025 at 5:37 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone for your help this weekend - to Anne, Vicki, Kenny, Mark, Kevin, Nigel and Steve who joined us for canvassing and to Ian and Jeanette who set up another stall with me at Hope Farm shops on Saturday morning
#election #council #ellesmereport #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester
3 men (including Ray) dressed in general casual wear including jackets, stood outside in a local street with a car and some houses and trees behind them. They are holding leaflets that say "vote Ray McHale independent" and are smiling into the camera 4 men (including Ray) dressed in general casual wear including jackets, stood outside in a local street with a car and some houses and trees behind them. They are holding clipboards and leaflets that say "vote Ray McHale independent" and are smiling into the camera.
September 28, 2025 at 10:18 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
I went down to the Port Arcades this morning to set up a stall for the Trades Council, promoting trade unions at the Jobs Fair.

#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester #councilelection #independent #tuc #tradescouncil #westcheshiretuc
A photo of Ray stood behind a small table completely covered in piles of different leaflets. There are signs taped to the front of the table that say "every worker needs a union" and "want a pay rise, join a union". Ray is also holding some of the leaflets and looking at the camera. He is wearing a red polo shirt and a green zip-up jacket.
September 26, 2025 at 5:20 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
Thank you to Nigel for helping me at another stall at Hope Farm Shops today. Great to hear people saying they will definitely be supporting us next week!

#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester #byelection #councilelection #independent
Nigel and Ray stood either side of a table both holding leaflets and smiling towards the camera/ It is sunny and they are partly in front of a brick wall and a metal fence. The table has various papers on it and has posters hanging on the front that say "vote ray mchale independent". Ray is wearing a red polo shirt, grey jeans and black trainers, Nigel is wearing black jeans, a dark blue jumper and sunglasses.
September 24, 2025 at 8:55 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
I was recently asked for my stance on Chester's "City of Sanctuary" status:

“…this is about saying those who come here, men women and children, should be given support and a welcoming fitting of the civilised people we are."

#election #cwac #ellesmereport #theatreporto
A screenshot of a facebook comment by Ray McHale that reads: Anonymous participant 487 Our council don't determine how many asylum seekers are housed here - that is Serco with their Government contract. Our council did get some money from government for housing refugees from Afghanistan (where they helped our army) and Ukraine. They paid half the cost of buying housing for these specific groups. In the long run this means they will have obtained those extra council houses at half the cost - so this was a very good deal for the council. In terms of the City of Sanctuary - mainly Chester - this is about saying those who come here, men women and children, should be given support and a welcoming fitting of the civilised people we are. Helping the kids in schools, helping with English lessons, providing volunteering opportunities (often at Churches or with the local conservation volunteers) for those that are not allowed to work, but who want to contribute to society. In my view the only alternative to this welcome is some sort of hostility and bad feeling, making them feel unwelcome - even though they have no choice where they are. So I fully support the City of Sanctuary, and Theatre Porto's - Theatre of Sanctuary. Of those I have talked to at Trinity Church - many Iranian Christians who have fled persecution - you couldn't find nicer people wanting to fit in with our society. I don't want to be part of some hostility towards refugees - 75% of which are granted leave to stay in this country because there claim for asylum is up-held. A screenshot of a facebook comment by "Anonymous participant 487" that reads "he hasn't answered despite being asked many time his opinion on the towns current status as a "town of sanctuary for asylum seekers"?. Below this you can see the start of the reply by Ray McHale which is in the previous post.
September 23, 2025 at 10:06 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
More leaflets to go. Should get them all delivered tomorrow - if it stops raining.

#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester #byelection #councilelection #independent #independentcandidate #localandvocal
A photo of 5 large piles of leaflets set out on a carpet.
September 21, 2025 at 12:49 AM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
Thank you to Dave Walsh and Pete Rossetti for running a stall at Hope Farm shops this morning. It's much appreciated.

#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester #byelection #councilelection #independent
A photo of a table set up on a pavement outside a shop. The table holds some clipboards, pens and leaflets. There are two posters hanging on the front of the table that say "vote ray mchale independent"
September 21, 2025 at 12:43 AM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
To show how far I go back with politics in our town, Ian Prowse, played in Chester on 6th Sept. Here's a ticket from one of his first - a benefit we in the local Labour Party Young Socialists organised for Striking Miners in 1985. Our politics remain very close #ianprowse #election #cwac #chester
Ian Prowse and Ray McHale taking a photo together. Ian is in a white shirt and has his arm around Ray's shoulders. Ian Prowse on stage. He is singing into a microphone and playing the guitar. He is wearing a black and white vertical striped shirt and there are other band members either side of him and behind him playing 2 more guitars, the violin and the drums. A scan of a concert ticket from Friday March 1st 1985. It says "Ellesmere Port LPYS present When In Rome plus disco (eighteens and over only) 7.45-11.30pm. Labour & Trades Club Heathfield Rd E.Port. Right of Admission Reserved. Tickets £1.50 (£1.00 with UB40) all tickets £2 on door. In Aid of N.wales striking miners.
September 19, 2025 at 2:44 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
Not to be unkind to our local LibDems, but this is the worst kind of hubris and spin from them - claiming baselessly that the race is between the them and another party. Good to see a clear anti-Reform stance, but Lizzie doesn't mention a single policy or issue. #election #cwac #strawberryward
An image of ‎text that says '‎It's so close! Your vote will decide between Local Lizzie and Reform from Frodsham. The only way to make your postal vote really count is to back local champion Lizzie Jewkes to be our next councillor. It's a two horse race! With the Reform candidate from far away Frodsham, do you want your councillor living 15 miles away or around the corner? But Lib Dem Candidate Lizzie Jewkes will win -with your support.‎'‎
September 19, 2025 at 2:23 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester #byelection #councilelection #independent #independentcandidate #localandvocal
A Message for Potential Reform UK Voters Last night Reform MPs voted against the Employment Rights Bill – which seeks to ban Zero-Hours Contracts, and end the right of employers to fire staff, to the re-hire them on worse pay or conditions. They voted against workers getting Sick Pay from Day One, and against workers having the right to claim they have been Unfairly Dismissed from Day One. (Currently you have to work for 2 years before you can even challenge your employer ignoring their own procedures when firing you.) Is this what you support?
September 19, 2025 at 2:11 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
Their pronouncements have seen more staff joining trade unions. I was there when West Cheshire Trades Union Council joined the first Chester Pride Event at the Town Hall in 2013, and the first Pride Parade in 2014. We have also supported Pride Events in Ellesmere Port. 3/3
5 women and 2 men (including Ray and 2 women, holding the banner) looking at the camera behind a large banner as part of a crowd in a Pride Parade. The banner reads "West Cheshire Trades Union Council" on a rainbow background, followed by "campaigning for equality for ALL workers, fighting discrimination in the workplace" plus a range of logos of various unions. A crowd can be seen behind them including rainbow flags.
September 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
Just 2 weeks until the election! It's been a full day of canvassing. Thank you to everyone who came along today including councillors Elizabeth MacGlashan, Gill Watson and Jimmy Shannon.

#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester
3 men and 2 women in casual dress, including Ray wearing grey jeans and a red polo shirt. They are stood outside on the pavement/garden in a local street holding clipboards and leaflets. Ray McHale, Elizabeth MacGlashan and Gill Watson stood outside in sunny weather with a backdrop of houses and trees. They are holding leaflets promoting Ray McHale's campaign.
September 18, 2025 at 7:31 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
We've been out canvassing in different groups every day this week and have continued to get messages of support from residents, having received our leaflet.

#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester #byelection #independent #localandvocal
3 men in casual dress, including Ray in the centre, stood outside on a housing estate holding leaflets and clipboards.
September 14, 2025 at 4:36 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
Trish and Dave had a positive response at our stall at Hope Farm Shops this morning.

#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester #byelection #councilelection #independent #independentcandidate #localandvocal
Dave, a white middle-aged man wearing jeans, a black coat and cap and wearing glasses, is stood on the pavement in front of a small co-op shop next to a small table holding piles of leaflets and posters that read "vote Ray McHale". Posters are also hung from the front and sides of the table. Dave, a white middle-aged man wearing jeans, a black coat and cap and wearing glasses, is stood on the pavement in front of a small co-op shop next to a small table holding piles of leaflets and posters that read "vote Ray McHale". Posters are also hung from the front and sides of the table.
September 13, 2025 at 3:13 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
Just 3 weeks until the election on October 2nd. Our first leaflet has already encouraged multiple people to reach out with offers to help with the campaign.

#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester
The heading reads “Strawberry Ward By-Election” followed by “Vote Ray McHale” above a photo of Ray himself. Ray is a man in his 60s with fairly short brown hair and he is wearing a red polo shirt. Beneath the photo reads “Independent. A socialist and trade unionist” The contents of the first page of the leaflet is as follows: “I have been a resident of Strawberry Fields & Hope Farm for 40 years. I spent 30 years working for Cheshire County Council and CWAC. I was a Principal Planning Officer before taking up the role of UNISON Branch Secretary. Now retired, I am Secretary of West Cheshire Trades Union Council, an active member of Unite Community and a Trustee of Chester Friends of Palestine.” · Keir Starmer’s Labour Government has badly let down working people, cutting Winter Fuel Payments and other benefits and failing to tackle poverty and low incomes by taxing the rich. Its silence on Gaza has been shameful. · After 14 years of austerity and failed policies, the Tories are being replaced by the extremist right-wing Reform UK led by the Trump-supporting Farage. · Reform UK claims it has easy answers, divisively scape-goating the 4.5% of migrants who arrive here in small boats and calling for mass deportations. But their plan to cut taxes for the rich, stop improvements to workers’ rights (like ending zero-hours contracts) and turning the NHS into an insurance based scheme, is a huge threat to ordinary people – as is their disastrous policy of not acting to tackle Climate Change. Our community doesn’t need Racism, Misogyny, Transphobia and Climate Change denial. This page has a small photo of Ray standing holding some leaflets next to a large hand-written placard that reads “Edsential. Fair pay for CWAC cleaning and catering staff” next to the following paragraph. “A HISTORY OF CAMPAIGNING Ray has spent his life fighting for and negotiating for working people – beginning with collecting food for striking Miners in 1984. While seconded to the main council trade union he gained wide experience across all council services – often resisting privatisation. Since retiring he has continued to fight for decent council services and fair treatment of staff – regularly speaking at council committee meetings. He has been at the forefront of campaigns to defeat the Poll Tax (1989 – 1991), stopping the Council Housing, Stock Transfer (2005), through to fighting the closure of Respite Care Centres like Sutton Beeches (2021) and demanding the Council pays a Living Wage to cleaners, catering staff and care workers. “ Ray says: “The impact of widespread cuts and job losses in Streetcare are evident to all - no more so than in our dilapidated town centre. While community initiatives are brilliant, they can’t replace proper services. If elected I will use my knowledge and experience to represent the people of Strawberry Ward, to be constructively critical and hold our increasingly arrogant, 10 year old Labour administration to account - so that we get better services. I would do this by working with other Local Independent Councillors like Jim Shannon, Gill Watson and Elizabeth MacGlashan who represent wards in Ellesmere Port and Chester.” The final paragraph is entitled “towards a new left party” Due to the alt text character limit, if you would like a fully typed transcript, please reach out here or email ray.d.mchale@gmail.com
September 11, 2025 at 2:25 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
First lot of leaflets on their way out today.

#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester
A large pile of leaflets next to a slightly smaller pile of the same leaflets set out on a brown carpet. The leaflet heading reads "vote Ray McHale" with a picture of Ray underneath and accompanying writing.
September 9, 2025 at 8:48 PM
ray-mchale.bsky.social
Great turnout for our first canvassing session on Sunday. Thank you to everyone that joined us!

#election #council #cheshire #ellesmereport #strawberryward #hopefarm #CWAC #cheshirewestandchester
A group photo of 9 people, 7 men and 2 women, on a street in front of some houses. They are holding up promotional leaflets for the candidate who is stood in the middle of the group.
September 9, 2025 at 8:26 PM