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