Conversations after a local election
Doncaster people were keen to stop and talk at a Who is Your Neighbour? stall on Frenchgate, after city elections in May.
WiYN?’s South Yorkshire Manager Ian, Dialogue Facilitator Brad and Development Worker Janette spent the day chatting to shoppers. They asked about Doncaster as a place to live and work, whether people had voted in or had feelings about the local election.
Lots of passers-by made time for conversation.
Brad said:
People were open, honest and happy to talk about local issues.
Shop closures, immigration and seeking something new
The group had 26 conversations, most of those in-depth. Ian, Brad and Janette invited responses to the question: where is ‘home’: Earth, Europe, the United Kingdom, England, Yorkshire, Doncaster - or something else?
Janette observed:
Feelings about the city centre and about politicians came up a lot in our discussions.
Disappointment about the imminent closure of Marks and Spencer on Baxtergate*, concerns about immigration and an openness to something new in local politics were expressed in several conversations. Some people doubted that, despite council changes, things will change for the better.
Space for respect, openness and curiosity
WiYN?’s visit, in early May, made space for listening and talking. Doncaster voters had, on 1 May, favoured Reform in local elections*. Labour representatives - who previously made up 75% of the council - lost 29 of 55 seats. Newcomer Reform took 67%, or 37 seats. On average, across different areas of the city, about 30% of people turned out to vote. In Mayoral elections the city mayor, Labour’s Ros Jones, was returned to office. Reform candidate Alexander Jones came in second.
The team plans to go back to Doncaster for more conversations.
Who is Your Neighbour? makes spaces in which people are respected, can talk openly, have a chance to listen and become curious about themselves and others
If you are interested in working with Who is Your Neighbour? , contact us at team@whoisyourneighbour.org.uk
*https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/the-council-democracy/local-elections-2025