Elisabeth Wilson writes: I have been contacted by a number of voters about the coalition government.  If you want to see the full text of the agreement, follow this link:

http://www.libdems.org.uk/latest_news_detail.aspx?title=Conservative_Liberal_Democrat_coalition_agreements&pPK=2697bcdc-7483-47a7-a517-7778979458ff

I am surprised but pleased that some Lib Dem policies I campaigned on will be implemented, especially raising the threshold for income tax to £10,000, which will help the lower paid.  I am also glad there will NOT be ID cards.

I received the following email from Baroness Ros Scott, Lib Dem party president:

“You will have seen from the news that the party’s Federal Executive and parliamentary party yesterday approved the coalition agreement negotiated with the Conservative Party.

“Both bodies endorsed it overwhelmingly, by much more than a three-quarters majority. The provisions of the ‘triple lock’ procedure approved by conference in 1998 have therefore been satisfied, and there is no requirement for a special conference to endorse the agreement.

“However, Liberal Democrats remain a democratic party, and we believe it right to consult our membership on this momentous occasion in our party’s history. The Federal Executive is therefore calling a special conference to take place on Sunday 16 May (1–5pm), in the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

“The only item of debate on the agenda will be a motion to endorse the coalition agreement.”

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 with local health campaigner Bob Heys

Elisabeth writes:  With news breaking that already 225,000 public sector jobs are being axed by councils, the NHS and police forces (see the Sunday Times today),  it is time the Labour government came clean.

Although it is reported that management and administrative workers are more likely to go, cuts are also being made in frontline services that Gordon Brown pledged to protect.  These include nurses and midwives, social workers, teachers and police officers.

So what is happening locally?

I am a member of the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. On 3 February this year I went to a meeting about maternity services when a senior manager said that they were expecting “to get our budgets completely slashed”.  Since then I have heard nothing – no communication, no information, let alone any consultation. So what is my membership worth?

In relation to the police, we know that police numbers dropped by 54 under Labour. I have just looked at the West Yorkshire police website, which is not currently accepting applications for police officers. There are advertisements for civilian jobs only.

Liberal Democrats believe in giving people a say in policing and the NHS. A lot of voters were upset about the wheelie bin contract – but at least you can vote against the current Conservative council. However you don’t get a say in the NHS that could save your life or the police who keep your family safe.

Liberal Democrats will create directly elected health boards and police authorities so these services deliver what you need.

It’s time for a new approach.

Elisabeth Wilson being congratulated by Lord David Shutt

Elisabeth Wilson was adopted as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Halifax at a meeting at North Bridge Leisure Centre on Monday night. Lord David Shutt presided at the meeting.

Elisabeth Wilson attack the Labour government’s mismanagement of the economy, which has led to a £13,000 debt for every man, woman and child in Britain. She pointed to Liberal Democrat plans to reduce the deficit including getting rid of ID cards, refusing to make a like-for-like replacement of the Trident nuclear missile system, and a £400 cap on public sector pay increases.

She hit out at the arrogance of the banks, especially those part owned by the taxpayer, who refused to lend to businesses.  “The Labour government has failed to get this right. Small and medium businesses employ more people than big companies.  They are the future engine of growth,” she said.

She pointed out that out of 3000 unemployed there were 900 young people in Halifax not in education, employment and training. “Under Liberal Democrat plans all of them would be offered a job, education, training, or a paid internship.”

Elisabeth Wilson also criticized the local Conservative run Calderdale Council for doing very little to help local employment, particularly among the minority ethnic community.

“The Labour government has presided over a public transport system where popular buses, like the 36 in Skircoat, can be withdrawn overnight. Cuts are being planned in local health services, but we have no direct say in what they are.”  Elisabeth Wilson described this as a “democratic deficit”.  Only Liberal Democrats are committed to putting all this right, she added, with their commitment to fair and open government.

Experienced campaigner Dr Elisabeth Wilson has been chosen by Halifax Liberal Democrats to fight the 2010 general election.  She is well known in the area, as a former County Councillor, member of the Calderdale health authority, town councillor and mayor of Todmorden, and school governor.  Elisabeth has experience of fighting two previous general elections.  In 2005 she held the vote at 25% in Colne Valley constituency in a tough three-way fight.

Elisabeth Wilson holds MBA and PhD degrees and is currently self-employed as a lecturer and consultant.  She has worked for both Manchester University and Bradford University School of Management, and from January to March 2009 she was a visiting professor at the University of Ahfad, Omdurman, Sudan, a women’s university. She has undertaken short assignments overseas for the Department for International Development and UNESCO.

Elisabeth Wilson is a Quaker (member of the Society of Friends).  She lives in Slaithwaite, very near Halifax.  She has two adult children and one granddaughter. Her hobbies include theatre, yoga, walking, and decorating celebration cakes – you can find out more about her on Facebook.