Ben first stood for council in May 2009 as the Conservative Party Candidate for Ormsgill. He was first elected to Cumbria County Council in 2017, Barrow Borough Council in 2019. Following Local Government Reorganisation, Ben was elected to the new Westmorland and Furness Unitary Council in 2022.
Ben is a dedicated community leader and family man. Married to his wife Kelli for more than ten years, they are proud parents of four children. Together, they cherish spending quality time with family, travelling, and volunteering at Askam United Football Club. Ben works at BAE Systems in Barrow.
Ben's commitment to the community is evident in his various volunteer roles. Ben serves as a volunteer director for Self Harm Awareness For All (SAFA) Cumbria, where he works to raise awareness and support those affected by self-harm. Additionally, he is a club welfare officer for Askam United Junior Football Club, ensuring the well-being of young and vulnerable people at the club. Ben also volunteers with several other local organisations, such as the Dalton Community Association, contributing to the betterment of his community. Ben is a former governor of Askam Village School, and Chapel Street Infant School.
IN 2020, during pandemic lockdown restrictions, Ben worked together with then MP Simon Fell, Askam.& Ireleth Parish Council and others to save Askam's GP surgery so that more than 2500 patients didn't have to be dispersed to other practices outside of the ward. Other campaign wins include bringing back the X7 bus service, bringing a public toilet in to use for Askam & Ireleth, and stepping in at short notice to help coordinate Askam & Ireleth's Christmas Lights Switch On.
In January 2025, Ben was appointed as the Chairperson of the Scrutiny Advisory Board - Children, Young People, and Families, a role in which he oversees initiatives and policies aimed at improving the lives of young people and their families.
Ben's dedication to his community and his passion for helping others make him a respected and influential figure in our local area.
