Shazad Fazal was selected to appear live on a 3 way digital TV channel, DM Digital.

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.

Liberal Democrats held a meeting mainly for women on Thursday morning at Queens Road Neighbourhood Centre, Halifax.  Women who attended were reassured by Elisabeth Wilson, parliamentary candidate for Halifax, that Liberal Democrats are committed to keeping Sure Start and Child Tax Credits.  They also welcomed the news that under the Liberal Democrats the first £10,000 of earnings would be free of income tax, which adds up to £700 a year extra.  Feeling safe in society was another topic.  The meeting welcomed the proposed Liberal Democrat increase in West Yorkshire Police of 109, compared with the recent drop of 54 under Labour.

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

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.

Press Release: Lib Dems announce four candidates

Halifax Liberal Democrats have announced four of their candidates for the forthcoming local elections.

Pauline Nash

Pauline Nash has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Skircoat Ward. Pauline 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 the March 2009 by-election, when she came just 118 votes behind her Conservative rival.

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, ‘On the doorstep people are concerned that their voice is not heard in the right places in the Town Hall and that important decisions, such as the sudden withdrawal of the 36 bus and the proposals for Copley, 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 the residents of Skircoat ward.’

Shazad Fazal

Shazad Fazal has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Park ward. Shazad hopes to become the second Liberal Democrat Councillor in the ward following Cllr Mohammed Ilyas’ victory in 2009.

Halifax born and bred, Shazad currently works for the Lloyds group of companies as a customer service advisor.  Shazad has been active in the community, volunteering for the Citizens Advice Bureau and as a governor of Saint Augustine’s school. He is a union member, and vice chair of the Park Kashmir Society.

Shazad says: “People in Park ward feel the Council does not pay them enough attention.  They want basic services from the council – starting with clean streets, and better amenities for young and old.”

Cllr Mohammed Ilyas says: “Shazad is keen, energetic and concerned about all the community in Park. He would be a fighter for the area.”

Elizabeth Ward

Newcomer Elizabeth Ward is challenging council leader Cllr Stephen Baines as the Liberal Democrat candidate in Northowram and Shelf. Elizabeth attended Northowram Junior School and Crossley Heath School before completing her A levels at Greenhead College.

She recently graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in French and German, and is currently working in a pastoral role in a Kirklees school. At university Elisabeth was the Lead Student Ambassador, working in outreach projects to encourage secondary school pupils from under-represented groups to continue to higher education. This is her first council contest.

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Elizabeth says: “I was inspired by David Howarth MP in Cambridge, and joined the Liberal Democrats while I was at Cambridge University. Now I want to do something in my own community.”

Parliamentary Candidate for Halifax Elisabeth Wilson says: “Elizabeth is a competent and energetic candidate who would be an asset to Northowram and Shelf. I was elected to the County Council when I was her age.”

Ashley Evans

Ashley Evans has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate in Warley ward, bidding to join Cllr Jennifer Pearson and Cllr Robert Pearson. He runs a successful retail design consultancy, and has lived in Sowerby Bridge since 1990.

Ashley was Vice Chair of Governors at Crossley Heath until recently, and has been Chair of Governors at Triangle J & I School for many years. He is a member of the Calderdale Schools Forum, an active member of Sowerby Bridge Rotary, and has experience setting up food co-operatives including early involvement with Suma. Outside work Ashley was a keen rugby player and later coach, as well as managing a pop band. Ashley Evans has stood for Ryburn ward previously for the Liberal Democrats.

Ashley says: “I am looking forward to joining the committed and effective Liberal Democrat team in Warley, and working for the communities of Pellon, Mount Tabor and Warley.”

Cllr Jennifer Pearson says: “Ashley brings a wealth of business and voluntary experience that will be a tremendous asset for the people in Warley ward”.