The Hebden Bridge Web wrote to the four main candidates asking them for a statement explaining why voters in the Calder Valley ward should give them their vote. Click here for more more Hebweb election info and candidates Elizabeth Truss: Conservative Elizabeth Truss lives in Hebden Bridge. She grew up in Leeds, attending her local comprehensive school, before going on to study at Oxford University. Her family still live in Leeds and her father is a professor at Leeds University. Her mother previously worked as a nurse and a teacher in various parts of West Yorkshire. She is 29 and has been married for four years to husband, Hugh. She has held senior positions in the oil and telecommunications industries and now wants to make a difference representing Calder Valley. 
Elizabeth has been a member of the Conservative Party for 10 years and is a passionate campaigner on Green Belt issues and local conservation projects. She is also interested in Trade Policy and has written a number of papers on this for the Conservative party. Elizabeth wants to promote a Calder Valley with vibrant and lively market towns, tranquil green spaces and decent infrastructure to enable residents to get around efficiently on private and public transport. She will work to bring further vitality to our historic and impressive market towns such as Brighouse, Elland and Todmorden, in a way that fits in with surroundings and enhances quality of life. Conservatives will abolish the national housebuilding targets set by the Labour Government and give local communities the final say over whether they want more building in their area. Elizabeth is very concerned that due to limited resources police stations are open for short hours or not at all, and when people call they are redirected to a switchboard outside the area. Elizabeth and the Conservatives will cut the bureaucracy police have been subjected to and ensure there is locally managed, effective, visible policing. We will provide funding for an additional 75 officers in the Calder Valley. Between April and December last year there were a significant number of MRSA cases at Calderdale Royal. Although we have a brand new hospital in Calderdale and despite the hard work and professionalism of doctors and nurses, Labour's policies have resulted in an unacceptable level of cleanliness. Elizabeth supports giving Matrons control over ward cleanliness. Hard working pupils at school can have their lessons ruined by a disruptive minority, who make it hard for teachers to teach. Elizabeth supports a sensible discipline policy, where head teachers have the final decision over school exclusions. Elizabeth enjoys playing tennis and home improvements, although she is finding time for this scarce during the campaign. She is also a keen filmgoer and a fan of Hitchcock movies. She is a food lover, especially quality local produce.
|
