The personal income tax band has been lifted thanks to Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government.

It means 3,130 of Bolton’s poorest residents will pay no tax at all on their earnings, whilst 115,200 other people in the town will also be better off with savings of up to £200.But it doesn’t stop there.

The Coalition Government has also agreed to increase the threshold again for the next two years until it reaches £10,000.Derek Gradwell said: “There are going to be many people in Westhoughton who will benefit from this change.

“The Liberal Democrats have always wanted to make the tax system fairer and now they are finally able to do this because they are in the Coalition.”

The threshold for paying income tax will be increased by £1,000 in April to a figure of £7475.

The change is being funded with the money that would have been used to pay for the increase in Employee National Insurance thresholds proposed by the Conservatives, as well as revenues from increases in Capital Gains Tax rates for non-business assets.

Jackie Pearcey was not elected this time for Bolton West, but held the Liberal Democrat share of the vote well. But now Bolton West faces the prospect of years with another Labour MP.

Results for the local elections will be announced today, Friday.

JULIA SILVESTER

Labour have failed us on bins, failed us on roads, and failed us on community facilities.

The Tories have only ever propped up Labour in the town hall. The Tory candidate for Westhoughton North thinks Chew Moor is called ‘Chew Valley’ and the Tory candidate for Westhoughton South lives MILES AWAY in Astley Bridge.

Julia Silvester (South) and Derek Gradwell (North) are your local, Liberal Democrat candidates.

Julia has represented you since 2002 as your councillor, and Derek has represented you before. They are the local choice in this election.

Joining Julia and Derek is Jackie Pearcey, the woman fighting for a fresh new start for Bolton West. She wants to be an MP who really puts Westhoughton’s interests first when it comes to the national debate.

So today, Thursday 6th May, the choice is clear…

WESTHOUGHTON SOUTH – JULIA SILVESTER – X

WESTHOUGHTON NORTH & CHEW MOOR – DEREK GRADWELL – X

BOLTON WEST – JULIA SILVESTER – X

Chew Moor has now become “Chew Valley”.

We at the Liberal Democrats will be the first to admit that there’s the occasional slip-up in our Focus newsletters, but we always try to get the name of the ward right (it usually helps).

The Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Bolton West answered questions at the TV debate in Westhoughton’s Carnegie Hall. The debate was hosted by Gavin Estler, the BBC Newsnight presenter.

Youngsters from Westhoughton High School were in the audience. When asked which of the candidates they preferred, they said that Jackie Pearcey’s Liberal Democrats had the best policies.

Jackie won the greatest applause from the ‘studio’ audience, many of whom were from Westhoughton. She won applaud for saying voters should be listening to the policies that the parties have to offer rather than the parading of politicians’ wives by Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

Jackie said: “The debate was a first for Bolton West and I was very proud to have been able to put across my views to the people who will be choosing their next MP. People are fed up with the same old and tired politics of Labour and the Tories, and this event has thrown the doors open to a three-horse race. If you like what I said, and you want me as your MP, vote for it. This is the year that we can make a real difference.”

Jackie’s TV showing was boosted by the first TV Leaders’ Debate, in which Nick Clegg topped the debate for the Lib Dems. A Chancellors’ Debate saw Lib Dem Vince Cable as the star of the show too.

Jackie Pearcey is seeking election for the Bolton West constituency on Thursday, 6th May. Polls are open from 7am until 10pm.

The debate, which was hosted by ITV1, saw Nick Clegg eclipse Gordon Brown and David Cameron. Subsequent polls have placed Nick Clegg has the clear winner of the first debate.

But the news was overshadowed by a surprise new YouGov poll for The Sun which pitched the Lib Dems in second place, just 3 points behind the Tories – leaving Labour trailing in third place. The Tories were on 33% (down 4 points), Lib Dems on 30% (up 8 points), and Labour were down 3 points on 28%.

The phenomenal change of fortunes means that the Lib Dems are now on an equal footing – and everything is for play.

People are said to be impressed by Clegg’s friendly, honest and approachable manner. They are fed up of 65 years of the same old, same old with successive Labour and Tory government – and are ready for a change.

All eyes will be on Mr Clegg’s performance at the Sky News Leaders Debate next Thursday. It is thought the Lib Dems may perform well because the debate will focus on foreign affairs, such as the Iraq war, which the Lib Dems have been very strong on in previous years.

Jackie Pearcey talks to local residents

Jackie Pearcey believes she can be a strong voice for Bolton West.

Lib Dem Jackie is calling on Westhoughton people to back real change this year and elect her as the representative Bolton West so badly needs.

Residents have told Jackie that they were less than impressed with Labour’s last high-profile MP. They are turning to the Lib Dems this year as they know they work hard locally, and would like to see them represent a fresh new start to help clear up the dirty politics of Westminster.

Jackie said: “People are tired of greedy MPs. Now is our chance to make a real difference in Bolton West.”

“I have been working alongside Councillor Julia Silvester so that I can campaign for Westhoughton nationally.”

Jackie talks to a local resident

Jackie Pearcey, the woman who wants to represent Bolton West in Parliament, has been meeting and greeting Westhoughton residents to find out what matters to them most.

Lib Dem Jackie has been talking to residents across the constituency. She wants to represent the area as an MP who would be firmly rooted in the community, not just someone that disappears into the Westminster village.

Asked what is the topic on everyone’s lips right now, Jackie said: “It’s the economy!”

“I’d like to thank the residents of Bolton West for their very warm reception when I’ve been calling on round,” Jackie added.

“There’s no doubt as to what the biggest issue is, it’s the economy.  From people who are worried about whether their children will be able to get an education, get on the housing ladder or even get a job, to people worried about their own job prospects and who are unable to get a mortgage or any sort of credit on reasonable terms, to pensioners who see no prospect of their savings ever earning more than a pittance on interest and whose pensions are at risk.

“The sad fact is that between the Conservatives having deregulated our economy to the point where it’s hard to tell the difference between a high street bank and a casino and Labour selling off the family silver the economic outlook is bleak and everybody knows it.  in fact everybody seems to know it except the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Shadow Chancellor who really think that they can kid people that everthing is fine until the polls close.

“What is clear from what you are saying on the doors is that the public have a better appreciation of the mess that we’re in than either of the two main parties.  I’ve been impressed at how many people have namechecked Vince Cable as the most sensible chioce to be our next Chancellor.

“In seats like Bolton West, we have the chance to make sure that can happen.”

Councillor David Wilkinson outside Daisy Hill railway station

The timetable for the new Sunday service from Daisy Hill has been unveiled.

The service will run from Wigan to Manchester. It starts in May and is expected to run as a 12-month trial.

Westhoughton councillor David Wilkinson, who sits on Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA), supported the decision.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “I fully support this new service and I hope that Westhoughton residents will get behind the trial and make it a success.”

You can download the full timetable in PDF format by clicking here.

Education

• Educated to degree level with an Applied Social Studies degree, and undertaken a masters degree in Public Health/Health promotion

Career

• 15 years in banking and finance, which means I have an astute eye for the scrutiny of the council’s various budgets, and fighting for a for  fair share for the people of Westhoughton.

• Worked in further and higher education, and also ran a community education centre in a very deprived area of Bolton. So I am committed to good educational standards both for adults and children from all social classes.  I am conversant with the problems of adults trying to get back into education and training, as I worked for the Open University for four years helping people make a new start, and transform their lives.

• Twelve years in the health service, working in public health, as a champion to improve professional education, and designed good public health campaigns.  Helped  regarding the  improvement of some GP services for teenagers. Worked and consulted with disabled people. Formed a community network, so that local people had the best joined up local services, including the voluntary sector. I also set up services for the gay community.

• A very vocal member of the Health Scrutiny Committee, holding local leaders of NHS services to task.

Voluntary work

I have worked to help many people, from being on a hospital committee helping older patients have a better quality stay, to counselling women who suffer from domestic violence. In my role as a councillor I am on many voluntary committees, including one for blind and partially sighted people. I am a strong advocate for disabled peoples’ rights, and have served on a CAB management group for five years.

I have been the Liberal Democrat champion for diversity for eight years, working with the ethnic communities.

A carer myself, therefore understand the rigours, frustrations and ties of the caring role. Active member of Bolton carers Support, I feel strongly about issues like elder abuse and the protection of personal rights.

I am the Chair of the John Holt Steering group, forming  a plan to ensure  good quality of services and environment  for the future growth of the John Holt Youth and Community Centre on Washacre.

I am passionate about the Ward, and the maintenance of a good quality of environment and council services. Dedicated to my casework, always with a personal phone c all.

A governor at Eatock Primary School, for the last eight years.

Ward councillor for eight years, hard working, known for being very informed, keeping up with policy options, and ensuring an active questioning style in council meetings. I am a protagonist for more public toilets, and ensured Market Street toilets were upgraded.