HOWARD KEAL (PPC)
Contact Details:
Cllr Howard Keal
19 St Nicholas Street
Norton
Malton
YO17 9AQ
Tel: 01653 694546
PRESS RELEASE
All bets off – take nothing for granted says candidate
Campaigning Howard Keal has been announced by Liberal Democrats as their choice to do battle to become the area’s new MP.
He won a unanimous vote of party members to be selected as the party’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Thirsk and Malton.
Howard, a district councillor and group leader in Ryedale, said: “The opportunity to fight for the right to represent this area is a huge honour.”
“I welcome the major challenge ahead. I’m determined to offer people a real choice so no one is faced with a tired diet of more of the same.”
“On paper this is a Conservative walk over – but I believe voters are not about to be taken for granted.”
“I am offering people the chance to tear up the script and support a fresh approach with a vote for genuine change.”
Howard pinpointed a series of major campaign issues, calling for flood defences to be provided in Thirsk, Pickering, and Filey.
With his wife Di he successfully led the campaign for £9.5million of defences to protect Malton, Norton and Old Malton.
“I will put the failure of this Government to provide the same protection for our towns - as well as many vulnerable villages - at the centre of this campaign.”
“When the Pitt report was issued on the anniversary of the major floods not a single one of its 92 recommendations demanded more money for defences.”
Howard pledged to:
Fight for fair prices at the farm gate for our farmers and guaranteed rates to stop exploitation by supermarkets.
Champion the right to education free at the point of delivery with grants for the less well off and an end to tuition fees.
Campaign for the levelling out of fuel duty to protect the homegrown haulage industry from unfair competition.
Support our police to use stop and search powers to take knives off our streets.
“We need young people especially to realise that carrying a knife leads to serious injuries and death,” said Howard.
“And it’s not just the victim that suffers – anyone wielding a blade destroys their own future, their own chances in life.”
“Our constituency is a low crime area, but even Malton saw a double stabbing. There’s no room for complacency.”
Howard, who has a background in journalism and communications, aims to reach out to all strands of opinion.
“It is vital for people to aware the importance of their vote this time around,” he said. “They have the ability to upset the apple cart.”
“Young, old, everyone in between, and those who’ve never put an X on a ballot paper – all have the power to make a difference.”
“This time around, I hope more people than ever before decide to make a stand.”
