Until a General Election is called, no party can have a candidate for election, but parties normally chose to select a potential candidate in advance who will then act as the party’s parliamentary spokesman and campaign on parliamentary issues within the constituency.

Halifax Lib Dems regret the decision of previous PPC Diane Park to resign from the role and withdraw from party politics, and hope that the new PPC will be able to build on the work she carried out.

Pauline Nash has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Skircoat Ward by-election to be held on April 2^nd. Mrs Nash hopes to become the second Liberal Democrat Councillor in the ward following Cllr Stephen Gow’s victory in 2007. Pauline stood in Skircoat, her home ward, in May 2008, coming second to Cllr Wainwright.

A former youth and community worker, Pauline, of Heath Road, Halifax, has been a magistrate since 1981 and has served as a member of the Board of the Halifax Opportunities trust.

Pauline says, ‘This by-election has come about in unfortunate circumstances but I look forward to fighting the seat again. On the doorstep last year people were concerned that their voice was not heard in the right places in the Town Hall and that important decisions, such as the new waste contract and the introduction of wheelie bins, are being made without consultation. That is why I support the Liberal Democrat plans for a more open council that consults local people properly on the matters that affect them the most.’

Cllr Stephen Gow says. ‘Pauline is known by many people throughout the ward and will make an excellent local ward Councillor. She is a no nonsense character who will work hard for Skircoat ward.’