Rochdale constituency General Election hustings

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Rochdale Parish Church was full on Sunday afternoon as residents of the borough gathered for a Rochdale constituency general election hustings.

Six out of the seven prospective parliamentary candidates for Rochdale attended the meeting to answer questions.

The Church Council decided not to invite National Front (NF) candidate Kevin Bryan, the result of which was uproar as NF supporters disrupted the start of the hustings with a demonstration and the police were called to escort the demonstrators from the church.

Revd Angela Bryan, from St Thomas Church in Kirkholt, chaired the meeting. She stated that “questions have been put together as a themes for the candidates. Each candidate will get two minutes to introduce themselves and one minute to answer each question.”

The first question put to the candidates was surrounding the theme of poverty, food banks and zero hours contracts. Candidates were asked, ‘What do you think and what would you do to change this?”

Islam Zinda Baad candidate, Mohammed Salim said: “Peace and health matter. No zero hours contracts, no food banks and for people to look after each other.”

Mohammed Masud, the UKIP candidate, said: “No zero hours contracts and attract inward investment with local people being given preference for local jobs. In terms of food banks, we need more people employed as opposed to being in need. This would mean more money in the town.”

Andy Kelly, the Liberal Democrat candidate said: “Zero hours contracts are useful for self-employed people. I use them as I have a lot of different jobs. They aren’t for full time work though, they need full time employment. Food banks are a necessary evil – people need the opportunity to work instead.”

Mark Hollinrake, the Green Party parliamentary candidate said: “We need proper trade unions and more jobs, which would help the local economy. Zero hours are good for part time workers (students etc.) but are not good for full time workers.”

Simon Danczuk, the Labour candidate, said: “It’s a big question poverty, which do you want, the Labour way or the Conservative way? The gap between the rich and the poor is wider than ever. Labour would ban zero hours contracts and increase minimum wage. Labour has also guaranteed apprentice places. There would also be a tax rebate for all companies who provide a living wage.”

Farooq Ahmed, the Rochdale First candidate said: “Zero hours contracts give flexibility for part time workers but not for full time staff. We need better jobs and investment. The system of food banks is wrong. We need to sanction high power bills and reduce outgoings to help people.”

Azi Ahmed, the Conservative candidate said: “Poverty is a big issue and regeneration means a stronger economy. Zero hours are useful but not for full time work.”

The candidates were then asked about local issues and what they would do to change people’s perceptions of Rochdale. For example, the town used to be known for great things like Gracie Fields and Industry, but now it is more known for Cyril Smith's abuse and child sex scandals.

Mr Salim answered with “a positive view and better facilities.”

Mr Masud said: “We need to share good values and change negative publicity.”

Mr Kelly said: “We need to promote the town as a centre of excellence and improve arts, culture and heritage by offering a theatre and kick starting the economy.”

Mr Hollinrake said: “We need proper jobs for proper pay and we need to have meetings to find out what the residents want.”

Mr Danczuk said: “Crimes are responsible for a bad name. We need to turn this around and refurbish the town centre and improve arts and heritage.”

Mr Ahmed said: “We need to promote our rich heritage. Use the Town Hall as a cultural hub and sort out the problems ourselves by bringing families back into the town centre by giving them things to do.

“Bad news in the press needs challenging.

"We also need to bring communities together to understand each other.”

The candidates were then questioned about how what they would do for the youth of the town as many are “disenfranchised”.

Mr Ahmed said: “MP’s jump ship and change parties and I think this is what young people don’t like.”

Mr Danczuk said: “I think the council do a good job to stimulate the youth into politics in Rochdale with a youth MP and the youth elections that are held each year. Labour would introduce voting for 17-year-olds – they work, pay taxes, can get married and can join the forces but why can’t they vote?”

Mr Hollinrake said: “Change the voting system, make votes count and stop lying to people. I think this is why young people don’t vote. The youth MP’s in Rochdale are fantastic.”

Mr Kelly said: “We need to listen to the youth and make the youth service a statutory service. Also, change voting to 16-years-old.”

Mr Masud said: “We need to give young people accessibility to politicians, work in schools and work in colleges. The parties must work together and bring the university youth back to Rochdale with good jobs.”

Mr Salim said: “The youth are the most important part of society and we must engage with them. They must be put first and we must listen to them to find out their needs because the youth feel ignored.”

Ms Ahmed said: “We need more youth employment, voting for 16-year-olds and we need schools to teach the youth about politics.”

A question relating to what steps each candidate would take to balance the needs of the environment in Rochdale with the world was then asked.

Mr Hollinrake said: “We would say no to coal, no to oil nuclear power and yes to more use or renewables.”

Mr Kelly said: “We would take practical steps to ensure that renewables are phased in. It is about people changing and saving energy.”

Mr Salim said: “We need efficient housing, increasing renewables and solar panels on all homes.”

Mr Masud said: “We need subsidies for renewable energy and need to use brown field sites and save the green belt.”

Mr Danczuk said: “It comes down to four levels. One: individually helping people be greener. Two: local, the council success of recycling. Three: national, alternative fuels. Four: international, leadership to the world.”

Mr Ahmed said: “We need to educate people and offer incentives to use renewables. Windfarms need to have renewable and cheaper methods.”

Ms Ahmed said: “There needs to be incentives for renewables and we need to educate people. People need to be aware of carbonisation, we need to encourage recycling and give a zero option on cars.”

Finally, the candidates were asked about reducing legal highs, assisted dying and NHS funding.

Mr Masud said: “Health funding is political football. The myth is not true that UKIP want to make the NHS private. UKIP want to invest in the NHS and stop the misuse of the NHS by immigrants. They must pay in to the country for five years before it is free.”

Mr Salim said: “The NHS must be free. We must invest in it. It is what is most important for all of our lives.”

Mr Kelly said: “We need to look at the management of the NHS. Let nurses be nurses, lets teach teachers. Mental health treatment investment is a preventative stop to save money in the long run.”

Mr Hollinrake agreed with Mr Kelly and added: “Let’s reverse privatisation. I support the assisted dying bill as it brings dignity and freedom from pain. Safeguarding is important.”

Mr Danczuk said: “Let’s ban illegal highs. I say no to assisted dying and changes to the NHS are unnecessary. Labour promises more funding. The NHS was built by Labour and it is supported by Labour.”

Mr Ahmed said: “We need to keep money in the system instead of it going to private USA companies. 20% currently goes on admin costs and this needs to come down. In terms of assisted dying, are we living longer or dying longer?”

Ms Ahmed said: “The NHS management system is a problem. It needs a ten year plan and to be out of politics.”

The meeting lasted around 90 minutes and received a positive response from most who attended.

Revd Shammy Webster, from Rochdale Unitarians, said: “There was a good mix of people and questions. It is a shame that there was no youth and I think that is because they are not interested in politics, as when we were young. I was encouraged to vote when I was young and that doesn’t seem to happen now. It should be taught in schools and colleges. People in general seem to be turned off by politics.”

Full details of each candidate standing for the Rochdale parliamentary seat can be found at:

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/election-summary/25/rochdale-general-election-2015