Kennedy Targets Rochdale Key Issues

Mr. Kennedy with Lib Dem candidate Paul Rowen

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A week away from the General Elections and the pressure is on for candidates, but Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy kept his head held high when he visited Rochdale this week to support Paul Rowen, despite Labour protestors on his arrival.

Mr Kennedy visited Rochdale Infirmary where he was greeted by Rochdale Lib Dem candidate Paul Rowen, and former MP Sir Cyril Smith, before he toured the hospital’s Accident and Emergency department to speak with patients .He expressed his concern for the NHS: “There’s a real problem with the NHS and it is a national problem; we’ve almost reached the end of NHS dentist treatment.” He said: “there are two things that we’re proposing; we want to see the introduction of free dental checks. Too many people are not going to the dentist until it’s too late. The second thing is to re-visit the whole basis of dental professions; it’s ridiculous that a dentist can only offer a full range of treatment if a patient is dependant of benefits, or if the patient is particularly well off.”

He continued, “The NHS is a crucial part of peoples lives and things must improve. It is important to people, and we are not taking a single vote for granted, we’re working flat out to win the trust of the people.”

Mr. Kennedy was also asked about the local candidates, and how he feels about their situation in Rochdale: “It’s no surprise that Lorna Fitzsimons has had so many ministers visiting her in Rochdale. However, Paul Rowen has a personal track record in Rochdale, and we want to complete the team by regaining a Liberal Democrat parliamentary seat. People have got to look at the fact that in this election, we are riding at our highest ever level of support. Given the mistrust of Labour and the comparative trust of myself as a Liberal Democrat, there is every reason to be optimistic.”

So what about the Asian vote? Mr. Kennedy was also confident that the Liberal Democrats have started to gain them, as Labour has previously “taken their votes for granted both locally and nationally”.

“Iraq being back in the headlines is very important. A number of Asian community representatives, not just in Rochdale, but throughout the country, have told me that they turned their attention to the Liberal Democrats initially because of Iraq, but the more they looked at our other policies, on crime and policing, and education, the more they began to see that Labour have taken their vote for granted.”

Sir Cyril Smith said, “It’s quite obvious Lorna is worried about the elections, she has cause to be, and that’s why she’s had so many ministers visiting Rochdale. People want to have a local MP that is born and bred in Rochdale, and that is willing to vote on all matters according to conscience and Paul Rowen is that man”