KEIGHLEY: Candidates' statements

ROS Brown, 45, lives with her husband and two young sons in Ben Rhydding. She leads the crèche at her church, is an Ilkley Harrier and enjoys swing dancing. She has supported people who are elderly, homeless, living in poverty or recovering from torture. 

We have an incredible opportunity on May 7 to vote for real, refreshing and much-needed change in our constituency and country, she says.

We need a political system that puts the public first, an economy that gives everyone their fair share, a respectful society capable of supporting everyone’s needs and a planet protected from the threat of climate change now and for generations to come. 

As your next MP I will fight for:

• Greater investment in education and apprenticeships, a more developmentally appropriate early years education, the abolition of SATs and league tables, the evaluation of schools by parents, teachers and the local community not Ofsted;
• Green Belt protection by ensuring affordable housing is built on brownfield sites and local infrastructure is not overwhelmed;
• More support for local businesses and sustainable, enterprising local communities, a living wage of £10 an hour by 2020 and support not sanctions to help those who can back into work;
• Further investment in home insulation, renewable energy and public ownership of utilities to cut gas and electricity bills for Keighley households.

IN my day job I work for a major infra-structure project. My passion is campaign-ing against injustice, though.

I’m elected to the Lib Dems’ Federal Policy and Conference committees, signing off the General Election manifesto for the third time.

I’ve served on boards of equality, voluntary and environmental organisations and been a councillor.

I first joined the Liberal Democrats in 1992 because of the then Conservative Government’s attacks on civil liberties. Liberal Democrats are about freedom and giving everyone the potential to get on in life: a roof over their head, the best possible education and a safety net if things go wrong. Regardless of who you are.

In Government we’ve got the economy back on track and delivered what the Conservatives said couldn’t be done: raising the point at which people pay income tax, taking millions of people out of paying it altogether. We’ve kept the Conservatives in check.

I’m the first to admit it hasn’t been easy. But it was the right thing to do: nobody can say we were in it for ourselves.

I’m proud to have won reforms which will save hundreds of community pubs. I want to see small business thrive, and invest in infrastructure to boost Keighley’s economy and create jobs; five new Green Laws to tackle climate change; the £8 billion to invest in our NHS – uniquely we have said where the money comes from. Finally, reforming politics to give people their voice back.

I AM the grandson of Irish migrants to Bradford. I first delivered leaflets in Keighley for Labour’s Bob Cryer in 1979 when he held on to the seat by just 78 votes. I grew up and still live in Burley-in-Wharfedale. 

For 13 years until 2010 I was proud to be the Labour MP for Selby voting with my great friend Ann Cryer in 95 per cent of the votes, including against the war in Iraq.

For the last five years I have worked in business promoting exports to emerging markets.

I want to help build a Britain where everybody gets a decent chance in life whatever background they come from. So much talent goes to waste in Keighley at present. 

Labour would raise the minimum wage to £8, cut business rates, expand quality apprenticeships and drive up educational standards.

I would work hard to bring jobs and investment to the constituency and revive the Keighley Business Forum to provide a focus for new ideas.

Public services like our NHS should be accountable to the electorate but not constantly threatened by privatisation. 

I will vigorously defend services in both Keighley and the surrounding villages. I will campaign for a fairer funding settlement for Bradford Council which has been disadvantaged by Government in recent years. 
Labour will restore a policy of ‘brownfield first’ for new housing and will allow councils to borrow to build new homes. I have pride, passion and belief in the Keighley constituency.

IN 2010, our country and our economy were in a mess after 13 years of Labour Government.

Businesses in Keighley and Ilkley were going bust, almost 2,300 local residents were out of work and the amount of money in people’s pockets was shrinking. 

But thanks to the policies of a Conservative-led Government, our economy is growing strongly, unemployment in Keighley and Ilkley is down by more than 40 per cent, inflation is at an all-time low, wages are going up and people have more money to spend. 

We have cut tax for an estimated 37,426 Keighley and Ilkley residents and taken 4,786 out of tax altogether - saving a typical family around £700 a year. 

I have worked hard to win new local investment. A state-of-the-art £6.3 million Accident and Emergency Unit has opened at Airedale Hospital. 

Oakbank School is being rebuilt at a cost of £16 million and other schools in Keighley and Ilkley are being refurbished. 

Hard Ings Road is also being transformed into a dual carriageway as part of the regional transport investment programme. 

I will ensure that local residents receive their fair share of public money and will fight to retain Keighley Police Station which Labour’s Police and Crime Commissioner has threatened to close. And I’ll keep a sharp focus on Labour-led Bradford Council which is redirecting resources and frontline services away from Keighley and Ilkley.

I ask for the support of Keighley and Ilkley residents to allow me to continue to work for their interests. 

I AM the parliamentary candidate for the Keighley and Ilkley constituency.

My wife June and I have been residents of the constituency since 1984, we live in Ilkley. 

Our two sons have both been educated at state schools, including Ilkley Grammar School.

My background is in general management and business development. I have launched and operated a successful firm in Ilkley.

I have also worked at a senior level for 30-plus years with global and multi-national organisations such as Warner Bros, Hasbro and Virgin Group. 

Among the well-known products I have launched is the original Rubik Cube puzzle back in 1980 and the Monopoly City Editions range in 1998.

I am recent MBA graduate of Leeds University Business School. 

Today, I work as the regional organiser for my party, in the Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire region.