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ONE PAPER ... ALL THE NEWS from Dewsbury, Batley, Ossett, Mirfield, Liversedge, Birstall, Heckmondwike, Cleckheaton & Spen Valley
Friday November 22, 2019
No. 921
50p
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page 3
WE’RE WATCHING YOU Batley & Spen Independent challenges Kirklees boss, police over electoral fraud By Staff Reporters BATLEY & Spen Independent candidate Paul Halloran has challenged Kirklees election officials and police to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to electoral fraud. At a candidates’ meeting with Kirklees Chief Executive and Returning Officer Jacqui Gedman on Wednesday night, Mr Halloran said he was creating a ‘fraud hotline’ and having supporters monitor and film polling stations where intimidation and fraud by Labour activists and voters have been reported in the past. His challenge came after all six Batley and Spen candidates in next month’s General Election pledged to run a “decent” campaign. Tracy Brabin (Lab), Mark Brooks (Con), Ty Akram (Green Party), John Lawson (Lib Dem), Clive Minihan (Brexit Party) and Mr Halloran became the first in the country to sign the
pledge to run an election campaign “free of abuse and intimidation.” Kim Leadbeater, sister of the Labour MP Jo Cox who was murdered in 2016, said she hoped other candidates would follow suit. “I had hoped that the murder of my sister Jo would lead to a better way of doing politics, but sadly that hasn’t always been the case. “So this is the opportunity for us here in Batley and Spen to send a clear message to the country about the kind of democracy we all want,” she added. The pledge, signed outside Jo Cox House on Commercial Street, commits to setting an appropriate tone when campaigning, encourage constructive debate and tolerance of other views, and promote the dignity of others, including political opponents, treating all with courtesy and respect. Kim added: “Here in Batley and Spen we know the price of hatred and political vio-
lence, but this is a call that I believe should be taken up by candidates all across the country.” Mr Halloran said: “Obviously social media fuels politics these days and there’s a lot of toxicity. This agreement is about all the candidates getting together and hopefully showing a united front, civility, and that we won’t be attacking each other,” he said. “People have seen that we can all come together in a respectful manner and I would advise individuals who are using social media throughout this election campaign to take a second and think, should I really post that?” Tracy Brabin (Lab), who will be looking to retain her seat in the upcoming General Election, echoed Mr Halloran’s concerns. “It’s really important that everyone has done this, we do have different and strong views but it’s important that we lead the way in Batley
Signing the pledge – local election candidates
and Spen,” she said. “Keyboard warriors can get over-excitable around general elections – it’s almost like anyone is allowed to say anything and there’s no comeback. “Hopefully with this pledge we as leaders can say to our supporters, ‘I’ve signed this, you can’t say that’.” But Mr Halloran has launched a confidential hotline number – 01924 586604 – for reports of suspected illegal election practice in Batley and Spen, including for those who feel they are being
Politics special – p4/5
...but the Dewsbury race has a man with a plan Meet Sir Archibald Stanton Earl ‘Eaton, who has a few tricks up his sleeve...