WHY I’M STANDING ON THE 7 MAY FOR PCC
My name is Kevin Kelway, and I’m the Plymouth Conservative & Unionist candidate for the St. Peter & the Waterfront Ward in the local elections on Thursday, 7th May 2026.
I am a proud lifelong Plymothian and was born and brought up on the Barbican and have been a Hoe resident for the last 30 years.
I genuinely care about the city I’ve lived and worked in all my life, and I’m no ‘paper candidate’ and certainly no ‘career politician.’
My family has been rooted on Plymouth’s waterfront for many generations, and I’d like to say why I’m standing for Plymouth City Council.
I’ve been running my own small business (Dorcas Media) for 13 years, which gives me a little insight into why Labour does not understand our business communities and the lack of interest in encouraging our wealth creators from the self-employed, family businesses, and budding entrepreneurs, with no incentives, and a constant stream of red tape saddling our British enterprise culture.
The Labour Party likes to tax and spend our money on its favoured agenda – just look at the city’s skyrocketing council debt now heading towards £1 billion.
We should get very angry at the lack of public debate and accountability by city councillors and especially closed-door decision-making under delegated powers by one or two politicians.
This was one of the frustrations that echoed in the recent mayoral campaign in Plymouth: that things need to change from the one-party Labour rule in the city.
Living and working in the centre of Plymouth, you see the poor roads, potholes, litter, and parking issues for local residents and visitors alike.
Not forgetting the rise in antisocial behaviour in the town centre, waterfront regeneration (a long list), housing for families in the ward, and the scaffolding on a derelict building in Millbay that is a local eyesore.
I have been a community campaigner for over 30 years in Plymouth with a track record in fighting to save Tinside Lido, Drake’s Reservoir, Charles Church, and Barbican and Hoe campaigns.
I was especially proud of being awarded the British Citizen Award in 2023 and the Sheila McKechnie Award in 2015 for saving Tinside Lido from demolition with Grade 2 listings I made.
I’m passionate about our armed forces, and my business (Dorcas Media) was awarded a GOLD for our work in supporting the city’s armed forces, veterans, and families – and an Armed Forces Signee.
Plymouth’s marine, maritime, tourism, and defence sectors are at the forefront of the city’s exciting future, and I support them through my blogs at: www.westwardshippingnews.com
I totally acknowledge past Conservative disappointments nationally and locally, but our city and nation needs a reset against forces undermining our British culture, freedoms, and pride in our history and heritage.
In these modern times it takes courage to get off the PC and away from the armchair and stand up for what you believe in – and I’m certainly not going to be worried about being cancelled at 63 years of age.
I’ve had challenges in my life, like many of us do. Keeping Calm and Carrying on was my Mother’s favourite motto – and always been mine.
I’m a gay man, married in a civil partnership for 9 years, and we’ve been together for 35 years – but always looking on the positive changes made over the years.
Getting older, I still have many abilities, life skills, and yes, experience – and don’t get me started on the topic of age barriers in the workplace.
If anything in what I say resonates with you, then please give me a chance, and your VOTE on the 7th of May 2026, in the St. Peter & the Waterfront Ward.
KEVIN KELWAY, BCAc
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576413270953
https://www.facebook.com/StPeterWaterfrontConservatives
Conservative & Unionist Party Candidate
St. Peter & the Waterfront Ward
Local Elections on the 7th of May 2026
Local Agent: Ian Fleming, 4 Esplanade House, The Hoe Plymouth, PL1 2PJ