General Election 2015: OLDHAM EAST & SADDLEWORTH CANDIDATES

Debbie Abrahams

(Lab)

DEBBIE Abrahams is the Labour candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth and is seeking re-election, following her by-election victory in January, 2011.

Debbie, who worked as a health professional and in the NHS for 20 years before going into politics, said: “I have been so proud to represent Oldham East and Saddleworth over the last four years. During that time I have helped over 6,500 constituents and have met many more across the constituency at my surgeries, community meetings or at weekly doorstep sessions.

“I established and chaired the Oldham Fairness Commission to tackle local inequalities, have campaigned locally and nationally on late payments to small businesses, for a Dementia Friendly Oldham and for better rail services at Greenfield station.

“Labour’s plan is for a better future for all of us, not just a privileged few. The Tory and Lib-Dem coalition government has hit people on the lowest incomes the hardest, including the one in three people in Oldham earning less than the living wage.

The Government gave tax breaks to millionaires while working people on average have seen their incomes fall by £1,600 per year.

“Labour wants a fairer society because we know that fairer societies are better for us all. We will balance the books and cut the deficit every year.

Our fully-costed plan will see us invest in the NHS and social care with 36,000 more frontline staff, create better jobs and education and training opportunities for our young people.

“We will tackle the cost of living crisis by capping energy bills, freezing rail fares and increasing the minimum wage to over £8 per hour.

Labour will deliver a better future for Oldham East and Saddleworth in a Britain where the next generation can do better than the last.”



Richard Marbrow

(Lib-Dem)

I AM the local choice because, unlike my Labour and Conservative opponents, I live in the constituency and will continue to do so no matter the result of the election.

My home is in Shaw and I will never go native in London.

I am the campaigning choice because I am working with the superb team of Lib-Dem borough and parish councillors in Oldham East and Saddleworth to get improvements for our area.

In Shaw, the team I lead is fighting for a new swimming pool and health centre for the centre of Shaw, to replace the facilities taken away or promised and not delivered by Labour.

In Saddleworth, the Liberal Democrat team and myself want to make sure the area and its villages has a future as great as its past by fighting for a new secondary school in the area and by campaigning against Oldham Labour’s cuts to the local youth service.

In East Oldham, Liberal Democrat policies in government have helped local people.

Life is still not easy as we clean up the financial mess left by the last Labour Government but the pupil premium that helps local schools and the increase in the personal tax allowance that has taken of the lowest paid out of tax have at least made life a bit easier for local people.

I am the responsible choice because our broken electoral system means that Oldham East and Saddleworth will elect either a Labour MP or a Liberal Democrat one.

The Conservatives will come third here as they have since the seat was created.

The Liberal Democrats would stop any government lurching dangerously to the left or the right.

I ask you to trust me with your vote.



Sajjad Hussain

(Con)

This year’s election will be the most important in a generation and it is your vote which will decide who will represent you in Parliament and who will run Britain for the next five years – David Cameron or Ed Miliband.

I have lived in Oldham for over 20 years and I brought up my family here. During that time I have seen our area go through both good and bad times. And like you I have used and still use the same schools, hospitals, shops and local services as you.

I know how important the NHS is, especially with my own son who had major heart surgery, which thanks to the NHS saved his life. It is why I will always defend it being free at the point of delivery and support the Conservatives’ pledge to invest £8bn extra into the NHS.

Having been Chief Executive of a local housing association in Oldham, helping many with their housing needs, I know how important a home is. Which is why I support plans to give our young people the opportunity to own their own home, with help to buy which will subsidise 20% off a new build starter home and for the 18,700 housing association tenants to buy their own home with right to buy.

I know that having security in retirement is important. It is why the Conservatives have increased the basic state pension by £950 since 2010 and have pledged to protect pensioner benefits. I believe you have worked hard for it, paid taxes for it so it is only right you have security in retirement.

But only by voting Conservative can you guarantee any of these things. Only with a long-term plan can we ensure Britain is financially secure. So please think carefully about how your vote will change our country.



Miranda Meadowcroft

(Green)

I HAVE been very lucky in the work I’ve been paid for.

I believe that everyone should be paid a decent wage, whether they love their job or not.

The Green Party looks toward a different way of running our communities — we promote a balanced life where people are treated with respect regardless of where they come from and what they do for a living.



Peter Klonowski

(UKIP)

A LOCAL man, living in Springhead for the past 16 years. Educated in Oldham before attending the University of Manchester.

At local level I believe in democracy and accountability and want to see local decision-making by local people by introducing local referenda.