We are very pleased to announce that our Horwich colleague Lynn Rock was elected last night in the Lever Park by-election.

Here she is pictured with Westhoughton councillor David Wilkinson, left, and her husband and fellow councillor Steve Rock, right.

The results of the election were:

Turnout 19.5%

Green: 85

Lynn Roc,  Liberal Democrat: 218

Labour:  211

Lib Dem Majority: 7

Lib Dem gain from Labour

Labour lose majority control of Horwich Town Council

For years some politicians have enjoyed comfortable seats where they do very little work but still get elected year, after year, after year.

But all that could be about the change when, on May 5th, you will have the chance to change the way the electoral system works.

You will have two choices:

• Keep the same old system, known as First Past The Post, which results in MPs enjoying their ‘safe’ seats;
• Adopt the new Alternative Voting system in which you rank the candidates, e.g. 1, 2, 3, in order of your preference.

This results in a fairer result and removes the risk of getting an MP who had less than 25% of the vote.

Westhoughton South ward campaigner Derek Gradwell said: “We will be going to the polls anyway for the Local Elections so there has never been a better opportunity to make your views known on what is a very important matter for democracy across Britain.”

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).

Labour criticised the move by telling the BBC: “It’s very disappointing that the Conservative Party feel the need to drop in a candidate’s spouse into the audience to ask a question while passing themselves off as a member of the public.”

The row has escalated and Tory chiefs will be fearing that it may overshadow their candidate’s performance.

Those on Twitter have been commenting on her performance. One described her as “haughty and superior” and another said “Tory candidate looks as if she can’t be a****”.

Jackie Pearcey, the Lib Dem candidate, was however described as “a lovely lady and a great local campaigner” and she was lavished praise for doing a “great job”.

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.”

The video, which has been created by the Labservative website, contains a serious message – that Labour and the Tories stand for the same old ideas, and that it will be up to the people of Westhoughton to decide if they want real change this year.

Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, commented: “Labservatism may seem like a bit of a joke. But the reality isn’t funny at all.”

“For the last sixty-five years Labour and the Conservatives have been in charge and look where it’s got us.

“Britain is less fair than it’s been for decades; we’re in the midst of an economic crisis caused by the greed of bankers, who were encouraged in their recklessness by the two old parties; and the political system that Labour and the Conservatives stitched up together is sunk in corruption and sleaze.

“In this election you’ll hear the two of them trot out the same old slogans and recycle the same old election promises that they’ve already broken countless times. But the only thing you can really guarantee is that if they get back in nothing will really change at all. Because the way things are suits them just fine.

“So if you have had enough of more of the same and you want a new approach to politics, I hope you’ll take a look at what the Liberal Democrats have to offer.

“Join the fight against Labservatism and vote for change that works for you.”