Archive for the 'News' Category

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Dealing with the voting dilemma in Calder Valley

Published on April 14, 2010 in News. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .

Most conversations I have had with Calder Valley voters over the last few weeks have run something like this: “I don’t want Calder Valley to be taken back by the Tories. But I cannot bring myself to vote for the Labour candidate after everything that’s happened. I’d like to vote for you, Hilary, because I know that the Lib Dems have good, green, progressive policies, but can you win? Can you keep the Tories out in Calder Valley?”

If you think about it, this local dilemma is a mirror of the dilemma faced across the country under an electoral system that favours the Labservatives and which seems to have a stranglehold on any real chance of radical reform of politics in the UK. And this dilemma has been getting more acute for three decades now.

But what I say to all those caught on the horns of this dilemma locally is this. Finally, with the 2010 General Election, we have a real opportunity to break this electoral stranglehold for good. And the way it will happen is by people voting for the candidates they want and not against the candidates they don’t want. Polls indicate that there is considerable latent support for the Lib Dems. While at past elections only about 20% of those polled nationwide have said they would definitely vote Lib Dem, when asked how they would vote if they thought the Lib Dems could win, the response is a staggering 48%.

This time it looks increasingly likely that we will have a hung parliament. In that scenario we Lib Dems will hold the balance of power. Never mind the number of seats, it will be the “vote share” in absolute percentage terms across the country that will provide the clear mandate on which we can negotiate (with whoever) for bold and lasting electoral reform.

It will take voting courage. But that has to be the way forward.

Calder Valley is currently a three-cornered fight, with other smaller parties hoping to take votes away from the so-called “main parties”. I understand their frustration too, I really do. But the priority must be to overturn the Labservative stitch-up which has held the country to ransom for too long. The Lib Dems are in the best position currently to mount that populist challenge to the status quo. Can you imagine the future under PR? No more safe seats (where by far the worst of the MP’s scandals occurred), no more tactical voting, real voter empowerment, a world of more factions and temporary alliances yes, but a world of greater political engagement, greater freedom, greater honesty.

We have been under the tyranny of Labservative for too long. Vote for me, vote Lib Dem – if only just this once – and help us all break free of a system that does not give us – the people – a truly democratic and representative voice.

Hilary Myers, 11 April 2010

Formal adoption of Hilary Myers for Calder Valley

Published on April 13, 2010 in News. 0 Comments Tags: .

Hilary Myers was adopted as the Liberal Democrat candidates for Calder Valley at a meeting at North Bridge Leisure Centre on Monday night. Lord David Shutt presided at the meeting.

Hilary Myers with Lord David Shutt

Hilary Myers gave three main reasons why the country needs the Liberal Democrats to do well in this election.

First, she explained that only the Liberal Democrats are fully committed to restoring our democratic deficit, which could restore faith in British politics.

For her second point Hilary said “We are the only major party that really gets the gravity of the threat of climate change and has the policies to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint and set us on a more sustainable course”.

And thirdly, Hilary referred to the economic mess and Vince Cable’s fully costed and principled measures to tackle it.

Hilary Myers stressed the Liberal Democrat fairness agenda for this election.

“Fairer taxes will mean those earning less than £10,000 will be £700 a year better off, paid for the mansion tax and closing tax loopholes.

“A fairer, greener economy means jobs that last, renewable technologies, home insulation, and better public transport.

“A fairer start for children would cut class sizes, and give individual tuition, £12m for Calderdale schools.

“And a fairer, cleaner politics would introduce proportional representation, reform of the House of Lords, mechanisms to sack MP’s, and a Freedom Bill.”

Trident should not be replaced says Hilary Myers

Published on April 11, 2010 in News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Letter from Hilary Myers to the Hebden Bridge Times, 11 April 2010:

Your correspondent Barbara Green asks the Calder  Valley candidates for Parliament to give voters their views on the proposal to spend billions replacing the Trident nuclear missile system (letters, March 25th).

The Liberal Democrats maintain that the government’s decision to replace Trident on an equivalent basis, with the same number of submarines and ballistic missiles, is no longer tenable and that Labour and Conservative plans to avoid all consideration of nuclear weapons in the forthcoming Strategic Defence Review are both illogical and irresponsible. Omitting the single largest procurement project from the Review makes a complete mockery of the whole exercise, not least because the defence budget faces up to a £36 billion shortfall over the next 10 years.

Our policy is that there should be no like-for-like replacement of Trident and that Britain should adopt a cheaper, more minimal system, were it to prove necessary to maintain a nuclear deterrent as a result of the Strategic Defence Review. We unequivocally support the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. Like everyone, we very much welcomed the signing last week of a bold ‘Start’ Treaty by Obama and Medvedev designed to limit the number of nuclear weapons owned by the two superpowers. Liberal Democrats adopt the approach spelt out by the US President who said that this recent scaling down of nuclear weapons is “just one step on a longer journey” which would set the stage for further cuts. We will continue to support all such initiatives towards multilateral disarmament.

The Green Party’s Kate Sweeney suggested the Lib Dems ‘don’t what to scrap Trident’ (letters, April 1st).  What we are arguing for is a sophisticated and honest review of the defence requirements of this country – one which takes into account the realities of global politics, economics and tensions at the beginning of the 21st Century, and does so with the ultimate aim of working towards a world free of the scourge of nuclear weapons. Like Barbara Green, I look forward to reading in your letters pages the arguments the local Tory and Labour candidates make for their party’s presumptive justifications for the wholesale replacement of the outdated, unaffordable Trident system.

Hilary Myers features in Guardian article today

Published on April 10, 2010 in News. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Today’s Guardian features an article entitled “Calder Valley: a must-win seat where textiles and green industry are the fabric of the community”. It gives a good overview of the Calder Valley seat, including touching on some of the controversies surrounding the Labour and Conservative candidates.

Liberal Democrat Hilary Myers was interviewed for the article, and talks about Vince Cable’s plans for the economy, as well as Lib Dem commitments on education and the environment.

Read the article on The Guardian’s website.

Hilary Myers interviewed for The Big Issue

Published on April 7, 2010 in News. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Lib Dem parliamentary spokesperson for Calder Valley, Hilary Myers, was interviewed for an article in The Big Issue, which has now been published.

In the article, Hilary talks about her background and political beliefs. The article also includes interesting information background information about the other candidates.

Read the article on The Big Issue’s website.

Lib Dem campaign races ahead

Published on April 6, 2010 in News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Eager Liberal Democrat campaigners gave leaflets to commuters at all the railway stations in Halifax and Calderdale constituencies, as soon as the general election was announced officially. Travellers on their way home through Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, and Brighouse stations were greeted by Elisabeth Wilson, Parliamentary candidate for Halifax, Hilary Myers, Parliamentary candidate for Calder  Valley, and candidates for Calderdale wards.

Liberal Democrats announced on Monday that they plan to switch expenditure from road to rail, and set out radical plans to revitalise the railways by improving and reopening rail lines and stations.

The party will set up a Rail Expansion Fund of nearly £3bn from which councils and transport authorities can bid for money to pay for rail improvement and expansion projects.

Hilary Myers said:

“This is just the sort of initiative that would mean the ‘Todmorden curve’ could be reinstated, once again linking Todmorden to Burnley by rail.”

Elisabeth Wilson added:

“Sowerby Bridge Station just isn’t inviting. It would be an obvious station for improvement.”

Norman Baker Lib Dem Parliamentary spokeperson said:

“The Liberal Democrats will transform the railways with the biggest expansion since the Victorian age.

“Labour has allowed the railways to wither on the vine and punished passengers with huge fare hikes while more polluting forms of transport have got cheaper. All the while, the Tories have been sharpening the axe they will take to the transport budget.

“High speed rail is hugely important, but it is only part of the 21st century rail network Britain needs. Our plans will reopen thousands of miles of track across the country and make our railway great again.”

Hilary Myers thanked for pledging to “do her bit” for British Armed Forces

Published on April 1, 2010 in News. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Hilary Myers, Liberal Democrat PPC for Calder Valley, has been thanked for pledging to do her bit for the British Armed Forces family.

Hilary Myers met with a delegation from The Royal British Legion at the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Birmingham to get behind the charity’s call for general election candidates of all parties to support the whole Armed Forces family. Hilary also discussed their manifesto and the changes that the Legion is calling for.

The manifesto sets out priorities for the next Government to improve conditions for the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It encourages MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) to “do their bit” for Service Personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants.

During the meeting, Hilary was photographed with a giant replica of the personalised pledge card, which she has been given by the Legion in recognition of their pledge.

Kevin Shinkwin, the Legion’s Head of Public Affairs, said, “We were delighted to give Hilary Myers her pledge card in recognition of her pledge to do her bit. Our message to every MP and candidate standing at the general election is very simple: “It’s time to do your bit. How you do that is entirely up to you but pledging publicly at www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk is a great way of showing your support for the whole Armed Forces family, both now and beyond the general election.”

“Both the serving and ex-Service community need the support of politicians,” he added. “Our manifesto outlines practical ways the next government can help, and we hope all the parties will give it serious consideration.”

Hilary Myers said, “I was really pleased to pledge to do my bit and to get my pledge card from the Legion. I know the work they do for the whole Armed Forces family matters not just to me, but to so many of my constituents as well. It’s so important we all get behind them, and I’m looking forward to seeing how my party responds to their manifesto.”

Hilary takes her campaign to YouTube

Published on April 1, 2010 in News. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Lib Dem campaigners Hilary Myers and Elisabeth Wilson, prospective parliamentary candidates for Calder Valley and Halifax respectively, have taken their campaigns to a new level by posting video campaign messages on YouTube.

In her message, Hilary talks about trust and how, as the local MP, she will do her best to represent everybody in Calder Valley as part of a fairer society. Elisabeth talks about Lib Dem plans for reform of the banking system, investment in education and a fair deal for pensioners.

Hilary Myers says:

“It is great to be able to talk directly to the electorate online. Many people have not had the opportunity to come to a hustings meeting and hopefully the YouTube videos will enable people to get to know me and Elisabeth a bit better as well as hearing about Lib Dem policies.”

The videos can be viewed on the Calder Valley and Halifax Lib Dem websites, as well as on YouTube itself.

Cancellation of Brighouse Election Forum

Published on March 28, 2010 in News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Letter from Hilary Myers to Rev Dr Ian Coverdale, Chair of Churches Together in Brighouse & Rastrick, 27 March 2010:

Dear Ian,

Thank you for your letter explaining the insurmountable difficulties you had trying to arrange a pre-election Question Time Panel of the parliamentary candidates in Brighouse.

I have to say I am very disappointed.

As you know I was always prepared to be flexible with regard to the make up of the panel and felt it was up to Churches Together, as the organisers and hosts of the event, to have the final say.

I am concerned that the Labour and Conservative candidates, who took opposing positions on who they would or would not appear with, have effectively sabotaged the whole event.

As a result, the electorate has been denied a chance to quiz the people who are seeking their votes, in person, during the General Election Campaign itself.

This is not a victory for democracy or for common sense. It is just another nail in the coffin of our outdated political system. No wonder people are so fed up with the two old parties. They think it’s just about the two of them having an argument about whose turn it is next. They make so much noise that none of the smaller parties who want to see real change, not just phony change, ever get much of a look in. It’s a stitch up!

Can I thank you again Ian, for trying to arrange this event. I hope this disappointing outcome will not deter Churches Together from trying again at future elections. Please pass on my best wishes and thanks to all your members.

I am copying this letter to Michael Peel at the Halifax Courier and to Stephen Firth at the Brighouse Echo for their information should they wish to represent my views to their readers.

Yours sincerely,

Hilary Myers

Hilary Myers criticises budget on national TV

Published on March 25, 2010 in News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Hilary Myers on Sky News

In a pair of interviews shown live on national TV on budget day, Hilary Myers, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson for Calder Valley, criticised Alistair Darling’s budget for a lack of fairness.

When interviewed by Sky News before the budget statement, Hilary explained that she would like to see a budget focused on making Britain a fairer place. Liberal Democrat proposals would reduce the tax burden on the least well off by scrapping income tax on the first £10,000 earned for everybody. Lib Dems would also invest to help stimulate the green economy, reducing carbon emissions and creating new jobs.

Following Alistair Darling’s budget statement, Hilary expressed disappointment. She said:

“There should have been more measures to close the inequality gap between rich and poor, which has widened under the current Labour government. The budget also had very little detail about the cuts and savings that are going to have to be made, and not enough measures to help the environment.”

Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, said:

“The Chancellor is incapable of coming clean about where spending cuts will have to fall. Rather than being honest with people about what the Government can and cannot afford, the Chancellor would rather let others indiscriminately shave departmental budgets.”