ELECTION 2017: Keighley constituency profile

GENERAL ELECTION 2017: KEIGHLEY CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

A TWO-WAY clash is expected in Keighley between Labour and the Conservatives, with big-name support wading in.

Six candidates are contesting the seat, most recently held by Tory candidate Kris Hopkins, on Thursday.

Bookmaker William Hill has Mr Hopkins as the clear favourite, offering odds of a Tory win at 1/10. It is offering odds of 11/2 on a Labour win for John Grogan, while longer odds are predicted for UKIP’s Paul Latham at 80/1 and Lib Dem Matt Walker at 125/1.

The Green Party’s Dr Ros Brown and David Crabtree, Independent, are also standing.

Keighley is considered a ‘bellwether’ constituency, where voters often predict who will go on to form the Government.

Two years ago, it became a key marginal seat, with a dramatic two-horse race unfolding between Mr Grogan and sitting MP Mr Hopkins. Mr Hopkins, who has held the seat since 2010, achieved a 3,053 majority at the 2015 election, where he gained 21,766 votes in a strong 71.3 per cent turnout.

Mr Grogan received 18,713 votes, with Mr Latham third with 5,662 votes.

This time, the constituency is 23rd on the national list of target seats for Labour – and Mr Grogan has pulled out his party’s heavy-hitters to support him.

Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott visited Keighley West last month to meet Labour campaigners and town centre shoppers.

Baron Prescott met shoppers and staff at Coffee Love in Keighley Market Hall, accompanied by Mr Grogan.

All the Keighley Parliamentary candidates are due to come face-to-face at a hustings in the town tonight. The event will take place at Keighley Salvation Army, High Street, from 7pm.

A key issue for whoever is elected in Keighley and Ilkley will be the continued campaign against plans to build a waste incinerator in Keighley. Plans for the incinerator at the site in Marley have been approved by Bradford Council, but the Aire Valley Incineration (AVAI) protest group is continuing to fight the proposal.

Word on the street

Mark McGivern (top left), 31, of Haworth, said: "I am voting for Labour this time. I would normally vote Lib Dems but after the coalition they are nothing. Labour are the only party with decent views. The big issue in Keighley is the incinerator, we should not really have it."

Rosemary Goodlad (top row, second left), 53, of Keighley, said: "I'm voting for Labour, I always have voted for them. We need to have a Government who help people in difficulties; the less well-off. The NHS is important to me as well."

Mohammed Khan (top middle), 64, of Keighley, said: "I will be voting for the Tories, I like their policies. The NHS is one of the most important issues for me."

David Goodlad (top row, second right), 59, of Keighley, said: "I am voting for Labour, I won't be voting for Kris Hopkins. Pensions is an important issue to me and so is the NHS."

David Woodhouse (top right), 55, of Haworth, said: "I am not sure who I'm going to vote for yet.  I would normally vote Tory. My wife will be voting Labour. But I know I won't vote for one of the smaller parties. I might go to the Keighley hustings and decide after that."

Jayne Gallucci (bottom left), 53, of Keighley, said: "I am voting for Labour. I did not like Jeremy Corbyn at first but I like him more now. Education is the main issue for me. I have grandchildren and want them to be okay."

Graham Ellis (bottom row, second left), 45, of Braithwaite, said: "I will be voting for Labour. They are the best party for the NHS and education. They are important issues to me, particularly the NHS. The incinerator plans in Keighley are important to me too."

Mavis Dobson (bottom middle), 65, of Keighley, said: "I do think Theresa May is strong, but will she be in the EU talks? I think I will vote Conservative. There has got to be more for the younger generation. There is nothing for them in this town. Kris Hopkins is good here."

Phil Smith (bottom row, second right), 28, of Oakworth, said: "I'm voting for Labour, I'm fed up tih the Tories. I voted for the Tories last time. They are all talk and no words."

Andre Wilkinson (bottom right), 55, of Keighley, said: "I will be voting for Labour, they have a lot of policies I agree with. In Keighley, I'm not against incinerators per se but why give the contract to a company with not much experience at it?"

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