Lib Dems at the Pizza and Politics evening

Cllr Robert Pearson and his wife Nancy were the hosts for a political discussion event on Thursday 9 September.  Members discussed motions coming up at the September Liberal Democrat conference in Liverpool. Fairness, academies and free schools, localism, green taxation and more were on the agenda.  Members also enjoyed pizza plus time for socialising for old and new members. Halifax Lib Dems membership has nearly doubled since before the election!

Putting the case for why voters should back the Lib Dems, he said he believed in fairness and equality.  The Lib Dems are campaigning for a fair tax system, a fair start for children with extra money for schools, a fair economy with more green jobs, and a fair deal from politicians.

In relation to Kashmir, he said that the Labour Party had let down voters.  They had promised to act and then done nothing.  Shazad explained that he had lost faith with the Labour Party under Blair, as they did not listen to ordinary people.

Floella Benjamin and Elisabeth Wilson chat to shoppers in Harveys department store, Halifax.

Popular TV presenter Floella Benjamin visited Halifax on Saturday to add her support to Elisabeth Wilson’s campaign to be MP for the town.  They met in Harvey’s department store, where Floella delighted both young and old.  Floella talked about the importance of interaction with young children, and the need for high quality TV programmes for children.  She also backs Lib Dems plans for extra money for schools.

Floella urged voters to back Elisabeth Wilson for MP. “The combination of Lib Dem policies and Elisabeth’s care for individuals is just what Halifax needs,” she said.

Later on Saturday Lib Dems did  walkabouts in Northowram and Sowerby Bridge.

Elizabeth Ward, candidate for Northowram, and Elisabeth Wilson, parliamentary candidate, chat with shoppers in Northowram

Elisabeth Ward, candidate for Northowram, and Elisabeth Wilson talked to shoppers in Northowram.

Elisabeth Wilson and Michael Lumb (centre) with supporters in Sowerby Bridge

In Sowerby Bridge Lib Dems turned out in support of candidate Michael Lumb.

Elisabeth says: “Many people wanted to talk about Lib Dem policies, particularly on the first £10,000 being free of tax, and also our fair deal for pensioners.

” I also had a longer chat with an ex-serviceman who felt that mental health services are not good enough for people like him.  It is only by going out and about and talking to people that you find out what is on their minds.

” As I have found throughout this campaign, voters feel Labour has failed, but they are not at all sure they can trust the Conservatives. That is why many tell me they are choosing Lib Dem this time, many for the first time ever.”

Fairness in education was raised by Shazad Fazal, when he explained that extra funding would be available to schools under the Liberal Democrats, £90,000 for the average primary school. The audience welcomed the idea of smaller classes, one-to-one tuition, and catch-up classes for those who need them. The need for Halifax High School to have a sixth form was also discussed. Shazad pointed out that only the Liberal Democrats are committed to the abolition of student fees.

Shazad stressed the need to develop a fair and tolerant society where there is equal opportunity and deprivation is tackled.  And Elisabeth told the women about plans to give all unemployed young people the opportunity of a job, training, education, and internship, or an apprenticeship.

Women who attended thanked the Liberal Democrats, as no other party has done this.  They were also interested to hear about Liberal Democrat’s special initiatives to help candidates from Asian and other minority ethnic bakcgounds.

The meeting was also addressed by Cllr Mohammed Ilyas, and Pauline Nash, candidate for Skircoat ward.

Elisabeth Wilson and Shazad Fazal at Beech Hill School

Elisabeth with members of the Dill group

Elisabeth writes: Monday was a busy day.  It started with a school gate visit to Christ Church School Pellon with Cllr Jennifer Pearson.  We are getting a good response from parents to Lib Dem plans for extra money for schools and a fair tax system.

At 10 am I called in at the Dill project, a self help group for men with chronic conditions, invited by My Uddin, who initiated the group. This is self help in action!

Then it was on to Salterlee school, to talk to the top class about Lib Dem principles and policy.  We had an interesting discussion that ranged over how being made to conform to  other people’s expectation was a bit like bullying.  The children welcome the idea of more money for their school. They also raised points about possible unemployment, and liked the “Robin Hood” principle of Lib Dem policies on tax.

Some were interested in joining the Lib Dems, and I explained about how ordinary members could be involved in policy making.

My next stop was another school gate visit, this time with our candidate for Warley, Pauline Nash.

Last, but not least was the open Hustings organised by Churches Together in Halifax.  As a Quaker and Christian in my opening statement I talked about the links between Christian beliefs and Liberal Democrat principles:

First, the need to cherish each individual, and if necessary defend their rights.

Second, caring for creation, which includes caring for the environment as stewards of the earth.

Elisabeth talking to pupils at Salterlee school

Third, the quest for social justice. I pointed out that after 13 years of a Labour government a bright child from a poor home in Britain today is overtaken at school by a less bright child from a better off home. This is unacceptable. And our gap between rich and poor is as big as when Charles Dickens was writing “Hard Times” in the middle of the 19th century.  These would be tackled by Lib Dem policies on extra money for schools, and lifting the limit for paying tax to £10,000, giving most people £700 extra a year.

Questions ranged over Palestine/Israel, asylum seekers, replacing the House of Lords, adult education, buses, tackling the deficit, religious discrimination in the workplace, and climate change.

Altogether a busy and enjoyable day.

Speakers and others at the meeting

Lord William Wallace was the main speaker at a packed meeting at Raven Street Youth Centre, Halifax organized by the Liberal Democrats on Sunday night 18 April, in support of Elisabeth Wilson, candidate for Halifax, and Shazad Fazal, candidate for Park ward.  Lord Wallace is the principal spokesperson on Foreign and Commonwealth affairs for Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords.  He reminded the audience that Liberal Democrats had opposed the Iraq war, and are calling for an agreed date of withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Brought up as a protestant Christian, Lord Wallace welcomed the fact that in Britain today all faiths talk to each other.  He warned about the rise of fundamentalist Christians in the U.S. who want a confrontation with Islam.  Lord Wallace also spoke about areas of concern, such as South Asia, and in particular Kashmir. Last, he welcomed the development of Islamic study centres in UK universities.

Shazad Fazal, candidate for Park ward, talked about the needs of the area. He praised Liberal Democrat plans to invest £12m in Calderdale schools, as a move towards  equality and fairness.  Shazad also talked about the need for affordable housing, more play areas, and a new youth centre to replace Raven Street.

Elisabeth Wilson, Liberal Democrat candidate for Halifax, said she was angry about the £167bn deficit, pointing out it was £13,000 for everyone sitting in the meeting.  Liberal Democrats have a plan to reduce it, including getting rid of ID cards, to which Liberal Democrats are opposed.  She spoke in favour of bank reform, especially as HBoS, a major employer in Halifax, has been taken over by the Lloyds group. She insisted that banks should be smaller and more regionally based, splitting up the ordinary banking from the high risk.

Elisabeth also spoke about the 3000 unemployed people in Halifax, including 900 under 25, and Lib Dem plans to help them back to work.

She told the audience that the Liberal Democrats have a special programme to encourage members from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds to become candidates. Forty three candidates (7%) from BME backgrounds are standing in the general election.

Janet Battye, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Calderdale council, attacked the Conservative administration for its secretiveness, waste of money and poor performance, particular in relation to vulnerable children.

The main speakers were supported by Cllr Mohammed Ilyas and other speakers from the local community.

Elisabeth Wilson and Lord William Wallace with students from Calderdale college

On Thursday 15 April Lord William Wallace of Saltaire, deputy Lib Dem leader in the House of Lords, paid a visit to Calderdale College with Elisabeth Wilson, Lib Dem candidate for Halifax.  In conversation with Chris Jones, the principal, and Lynne MacKenzie, chair of the governors, William and Elisabeth were impressed about the range of courses offered.  Concerns were raised about recent changes in government funds for the college, which has led to a cut of 9% in the college finances.

William Wallace was interested to learn about the college’s success in engaging younger and older people in returning to learning.  Elisabeth Wilson welcomed the news that the college is to start its first training in solar panel installation.  Elisabeth commented afterwards “Green jobs are a key plank in Lib Dem proposals for tackling unemployment, as they provide work, and help cut fuel bills as well as reducing our carbon footprint.”

Elisabeth Wilson and William Wallace also had the opportunity to talk to a group of students about their current studies and hopes for the future.   “They explained how unemployment has had an effect on part time jobs – they just can’t find any” said Elisabeth. “Nevertheless many of them have ambitions to go on to higher education.”

Elisabeth and William explained Lib Dem proposals to abolish student fees over a six year period. As William said to the students, he got his university education free.