Cahal Burke and the Lib Dems fighting for OUR NHS

The Liberal Democrats have announced they would plug funding gaps for the NHS and social care by putting a penny on income tax, in their first major manifesto commitment of the election campaign.

The tax would raise an additional £45.7m for our area, with £32m for the NHS (NHS Greater Huddersfield CCG) and £13.7m for social care (Kirklees) each year.

This is the party’s flagship spending commitment and its first major policy announcement for the election. The Liberal Democrats manifesto will also set out a ‘five-point recovery plan’ for NHS and social care services in their manifesto.

At least 70% of Brits would happily pay an extra 1p in every pound if that money was guaranteed to go to the NHS, an ITV poll found last October (link).

Cahal Burke Parliamentary Candidate for Colne Valley said:

“Right now we are seeing patients lying on trolleys in hospital corridors, urgent operations being cancelled and the elderly being denied the care they need.

“The Liberal Democrats are prepared to be honest with people and say that to secure the future of the NHS we will all need to chip in a little more.

“A penny in the pound would allow us to keep A&E at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, invest in improving all local NHS services and ensuring the elderly receive the care they deserve.

“This Conservative government has left our health and care services chronically underfunded – and while the crisis gets worse they just don’t seem to care.

“We cannot continue asking the system to deliver more and more, without giving it the resources to do so.”

Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson and former health minister Norman Lamb said:

“The NHS was once the envy of the world and this pledge is the first step in restoring it to where it should be.

“A penny in the pound to save the NHS is money well spent in our view.

“But simply providing more money on its own is not enough and that’s why this is just the first step in our plan to protect health and care services in the long-term.”

ENDS

Parliamentary Candidate for Colne Valley Cahal Burke and Cllr. Nicola Turner

Campaigning today in Marsden with Cllr. Nicola Turner and the Lib Dem Team, meeting residents and business owners.

If you don’t want services in the Colne Valley to be taken for granted and to be cut by the Tories and let them get away with it, then this is your opportunity to stop them.

If you want to protect your community from being taken for granted, June 8th is the day to vote Cahal Burke.

Cahal Burke, Parliamentary Candidate for Colne Valley

Following the announcement that Labour would spend £300 million on the police service raised from cancelling a cut in Capital Gains Tax, Liberal Democrats in Colne Valley constituency have pointed out that Labour have already promised to spend the money elsewhere.

Lib Dem Candidate, Cahal Burke, said, “Capital Gains Tax (CGT) was increased by Lib Dems in the Coalition as we believe it is right that the wealthier members of society should pay a fair share of overall taxes.
“The Conservatives’ decision to cut CGT shows just where their priorities lie. However, Labour have now promised to spend the money raised by not cutting this tax four times over.

“In March last year, they said they would use the money to bail out the British steel industry. In August last year they said they would spend it on art for primary school children. In March they offered the money to the health service. Now it is to be spent on the police.

“Labour seem to think they have a magic pot of money. Everytime you empty it to spend the money, it magically fills with cash again.

“No wonder, no one trusts Labour with the nation’s finances. People still remember the terrible mess the last Labour Government left behind when a quarter of the money spent by Labour ministers was borrowed.

“While no one seriously believes Labour are credible on the economy, thankfully, Labour will not have a chance to put their Magic Money financial policies into action. Everyone knows Labour cannot win the election.

“What we do need however is a strong opposition to the Conservative Government. Labour have failed in that role. If you want a strong opposition, vote Liberal Democrats on 8th June.”
ENDS

Cahal Burke, Parliamentary Candidate for Colne Valley

The Liberal Democrats in Colne Valley have seen a surge in new members over the past two weeks, with membership up 25% since the general election was called.

It comes as the Liberal Democrats reach their highest ever membership nationally, with over 101,768 members.

14,000 new members across the country have joined the Liberal Democrats in the two weeks since the General Election was announced and over 50,000 members have joined since last year’s EU referendum,

Liberal Democrat candidate Cahal Burke said:

“More and more people in the Colne Valley are joining the Liberal Democrats, e.g. the only major UK party standing up against a hard Brexit/the only party providing a decent opposition to this Conservative government.

We are going into these elections bigger than ever before, with a clear message and a growing sense of momentum.
Liberal Democrats are the main challengers in Colne Valley, providing a strong and united opposition to the Conservatives/Labour.

Communities here deserve representatives who will fight against cuts to our schools, NHS and social care services.
“Liberal Democrats will provide the strong opposition that Britain needs.”

Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Cahal Burke

Liberal Democrats in Colne Valley Constituency have chosen Cahal Burke as their candidate in the snap General Election on 8th June.

Cahal works at a local further education college and is a long serving member of the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority. He is a, widely respected, councillor for the Lindley Ward seen as a strong champion for local communities. Through Kirklees Council’s Overview and Scrutiny he takes a keen interest in Children and Young People’s issues. Cahal completed the recent London Marathon raising funds for Arthritis Research.

“I am delighted to be the Liberal Democrat candidate Colne Valley,” said Cahal. “My campaign is already off to a flying start and I have been meeting people from across the area and talking to them about their concerns.

“My message to the voters in the Colne Valley Constituency is clear: if you want a Britain that is open, tolerant and united, vote Liberal Democrat. If you want a strong opposition to the Conservatives, vote Liberal Democrat.

“Labour are a shambles. Under Jeremy Corbyn, they aren’t an effective Opposition, never mind a Government-in- waiting. “They voted with the Tories to trigger Brexit without any guarantees for European citizens living here. They backed the Tories on taking Britain out of the Single Market on which so much of our trade – and jobs – depends.

“Labour are a failure. A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a stronger opposition to Theresa May’s Hard Brexit and stronger opposition to the Tory dismantling of public services.

“A vote for the Liberal Democrats is also the only way the people in our area can demand a vote on the final Brexit package. The Liberal Democrats are the only party that believes the people, not politicians like Boris Johnson, should have the final say on whether or not to accept the package to leave the EU.

“I am trusting the people, not the politicians, with that decision. In return , I am asking for their trust in me as a strong voice for our area in Parliament in opposition to the Hard Brexit Tory Government.”

This election is a huge opportunity for voters in Colne Valley to change the direction of our country and prevent a disastrous hard Brexit.

People in the Colne Valley should vote for the Liberal Democrats to prevent a hard Brexit and protect the local economy, the party’s spokesperson has said today.

The Prime Minister today called a snap General Election to be held on the 8th June.

The Liberal Democrats are standing on a clear platform to prevent a hard Brexit by staying in the Single Market, and to give the British people the final say on the Brexit deal through a referendum.

Cahal Burke Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Colne Valley commented:

“This election is a huge opportunity for voters in Colne Valley to change the direction of our country and prevent a disastrous hard Brexit.

“People in the Colne Valley voted to remain in the EU, and certainly did not vote for the extreme form of Brexit that Theresa May has imposed on us after being backed by Labour.

“For all those who want to protect our local economy by staying in the Single Market and ensure the people have the final say over what comes next, this is your chance.

“The Liberal Democrats are the real opposition to the Conservative Brexit Government and the only party fighting for a Britain that is open, tolerant and united.”

JOIN US: http://www.libdems.org.uk/join

Councillor Cahal Burke will be competing in the London Marathon in aid of Arthritis Research UK

Councillor Cahal Burke will be competing in the London Marathon in aid of Arthritis Research UK this weekend.

Cllr Burke (Lindley), who was diagnosed with the condition last year, will be running the 26.2 mile course through London on Sunday 23rd April 2017.

Cllr Burke took up running a number of years ago after becoming injured playing football. He has competed in several full and half marathons, including Manchester Marathon in 2012 and New York City Marathon in 2014.

Arthritis, an inflammation of the joints, affects around 10 million people in the UK of all ages, with the two most common conditions being Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Cllr Burke will be raising money and awareness for Arthritis Research UK, founded in 1936 and investing in breakthrough treatments and providing information and support to those suffering with the condition.

Cllr Burke said: “I’m so excited to be running at one of the greatest spectacles in London and one of the world’s biggest charity running events. It’s unlikely that I will be able to compete any more after this.

The money I raise will help Arthritis Research UK, who are undertaking vital work in determining the causes of arthritis and identifying better treatment, preventing the onset of Arthritis and developing a cure.”

Cllr Burke can be sponsored via his donation page at:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CahalBurke

Arthritis Research UK will receive 100% of the donations. Virgin Media Giving, a not-for-profit organisation, will also be able to claim gift aid on the charity’s behalf.

Further information about Arthritis Research UK can be found at: http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/

Cllr Burke campaigning for better road safety

We are working with the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Highways and Enforcement to take action against speeding and parking issues in our area.

We believe that 20mph zones make sense in residential areas and near our schools.

They save lives
Reduce congestion
Reduce emissions
Encourage cycling and walking

We want a community where people are free to travel in ways that are safe, sustainable, healthy and fair. Unfortunately, in many places inappropriate speed limits where people live, work and play make movement dangerous, particularly for cyclists and pedestrians, including children and the elderly.

We have made some improvements and will continue to work with residents and relevant partners.

We will get the information required related to volumes and speeds of traffic from the Speed Indicator Devices and take action.

Road Safety is important to us and we know there is so much more to do.

I was delighted to attend the Induction Service of Revd. Adrian Ward with Cllr Richard Eastwood at Oakes Baptist Church, Oakes Road, Huddersfield.

Find out more about all the good work taking place at www.oakesbaptist.org.uk

Mount Community Group will be based at Mount Methodist Church on Moorlands Road

I was delighted to attended the Mount Community Group Open Day at Mount Methodist Church.

Mount Community Group will be based at Mount Methodist Church on Moorlands Road. The group have been given funding for a year and their constitution was recently approved by Kirklees Council.

The new community group will aim to support and deliver local opportunities, activities and projects which will build on the consultation undertaken by the group, following a written survey which was sent to residents in the area.

Mount Community Group will work closely with Mount Forum, a community group who meet every two months to identify and tackle issues and problems affecting local residents, through collaboration with local councillors, residents and local agencies.

Cllr Burke said:

“I’m delighted that Mount Community Group is now up and running. The consultation undertaken by the group was really positive with a lot of responses, and the feedback will help to shape the initiatives and activities that the group will seek to support and deliver.

The group is continuing to consult with local people to ensure that local needs are reflected in the aims and objectives of the group. I hope that the community group can have a role in improving local services for the community it represents, strengthen local decision-making and work with local groups and agencies to support improvements in the community.”

Vincent Dorrington, Mount Community Group’s Acting Chair, said:

“Mount Community Group’s aim is to do what is on the tin. We want to bring local people together in order to meet their needs and interests. Our hope is to make the community more active and make people aware that their skills and contributions will benefit everyone.

In helping to establish Mount Community Group and for offering assistance, a special thank you has to be given to Mount Methodist Church, Kirklees Council, Moorlands Primary School, Huddersfield Local History Library, Cllr Cahal Burke and Alan Jones from Mount Forum.”

Further details about Mount Community Group can be found on their Facebook webpage at:
https://www.facebook.com/mountcommunitygroup/