26-Year-Old Stands for Padstow Division in Local Elections

Oscar Livesey-Lodwick hopes to bring a fresh perspective to Padstow, St Eval and St Merryn

Oscar Livesey-Lodwick, a 26-year-old secondary school teacher, has confirmed he’ll be standing as the Conservative candidate in the upcoming local council elections for the Padstow division.

Oscar, who teaches Geography, says his ability to connect with people from all walks of life has motivated him to step into local politics.

“The overwhelming purpose of becoming a councillor is about doing something positive, restoring transparency and trust between the public and politics,” he told CornishStuff.

Having previously stood in the General Election in 2024, Oscar says he’s caught the “public service bug” and wants to focus on the everyday issues affecting people across the area.

📷Oscar Livesey-Lodwick

Focus on Local Priorities

His policy pledges include:

• Protecting green spaces and improving public footpaths and cycleways

• Supporting farming families

• Delivering affordable housing for local people

• Backing small businesses, including hosting a bi-monthly catch-up to raise local concerns and highlight support available through the council

Oscar also hopes to see more of the area’s tourism income reinvested in “basic but underfunded services” such as road repairs, mobile library access, and facilities for musicians, sports clubs and the arts.

Engaging Young Voters

As one of the youngest candidates standing in the area, Oscar says he wants to encourage other young people to get involved in local politics.

One of his headline proposals is the introduction of a night bus between Padstow and Newquay on Friday and Saturday nights, to improve access to social and entertainment opportunities.

“Just because we are in a rural location, that shouldn’t prevent what I feel are basic opportunities,” he said.

Voters across Cornwall will head to the polls on Thursday 1st May, including those in the Padstow division covering Padstow, St Eval and St Merryn.

For more information about the upcoming elections, visit the Cornwall Council website.

Are You Standing for Election in Cornwall?

If you’re standing in the local elections and would like to share your story with our readers, email editor@cornishstuff.com with a short summary and photo. We’re happy to consider candidate profiles from across the county.

📷Oscar Livesey-Lodwick