WE preview the candidates in the Bolton North East ward for the forthcoming General Election.

The Bolton News:

Sir David Crausby, Labour Party

Bolton North East’s MP since 1997, Sir David was knighted earlier this year in recognition of his parliamentary and political services.

He has long campaigned for improvements to rail service’s through Bolton and recently criticised Theresa May’s visit to Bolton, saying he was fighting a campaign based on local issues.

Sir David believes that improving living standards for constituents will be key at this election.

He said: “Everybody knows that the NHS is in trouble – it needs more funding, more staff, and more support. Social care is certainly not finished as an issue either – we still aren’t quite sure what the Theresa May doing about it – and it will affect an awful lot of people in Bolton who will stand to lose the most from the Tories’ plans.”

The Bolton News:

James Daly, Conservative Party

Mr Daly is a councillor for the Bury ward of North Manor and became the leader of the Bury Conservatives earlier this year.

He ran as the Parliamentary candidate for Bolton North East in 2015 and also stood in the Oldham West and Royton by-election later that year.

The Huddersfield-born candidate, who is a solicitor, says that it is “time for a change” after 20 years of Labour rule in the constituency.

The father-of-two, aged 41, said: “In terms of many of the local issues I have campaigned on, I don’t think people have been represented properly.

“Bolton is a great place and it would be nice to think that we could do something within this town to increase jobs and investment and to represent people’s interests better.”

The Bolton News:

Warren Fox, Liberal Democrats

The 32-year-old has been actively campaigning for the Lib Dems for the past two years.

Mr Fox, who works for an IT and audio visual reseller, stood to become a councillor in Astley Bridge last year and has pledged to fight for greater investment in Bolton’s health and education services.

He is hopeful that being a well-known face in Bolton North East will help him spring a surprise on June 8.

Mr Fox said: “I think people see me as one of them.

“They have seen what I want to do and what I have been campaigning on for the past couple of years.

“They know the time and effort I have put in here over the last couple of years volunteering, helping the homeless, litter-picking, improving road safety. Everyone knows that I am pro-active.”

The Bolton News:

Harry Lamb, UKIP

The 75-year-old is an analytical chemist and the director of a small company which trades with China.

As an international chess player, who competes for a team in France, Mr Lamb is hoping to stay one move ahead of his opponents in Bolton North East.

The father-of-two says that voters in the constituency are “fed up” with Labour rule and has raised concerns about a lack of activities for young people in the more deprived parts of Bolton North East.

He said: “I have heard a lot of concerns about the lack of provision for young people, specifically in places like Breightmet.

“There are no youth clubs or anything like that, and it is not surprising therefore that Breightmet is one of the more challenging places in Bolton to live in.”

The Bolton News:

Liz Spencer, Green Party

A retired mental health worker who lives in Egerton, she believes that housing is the hot topic of this election in Bolton North East.

The Green candidate, who is worried about proposed cuts to schools in the area, says that her party’s optimistic vision of Britain’s future presents a stark alternative to the main political groups.

The mum-of-four, aged 58, said: “A lot of people, especially young people, seem to have a bleak view of this country’s future.

“I have never come across a campaign where so many people are so despondent.

“But that is why the Green Party is standing here – we have a bold, positive, and inclusive vision. You need something to hope for and I think our message resonates with people.”