Local News Stories For Todmorden

Exclusive: Interview With Labour Candidate Steph Booth

The Todmorden List was recently invited to interview Steph Booth, the Labour Party Candidate for the Calder Valley Constituency, who is aiming to follow Chris McCafferty MP by representing Calder Valley at Westminster following the 2010 General Election.

Todmorden List: When did you decide you wanted to stand as MP for Calder Valley?

Steph Booth: It was sometime in 2008. My children are old enough now and I thought now’s the time to do this.

TL: What do you like about living here?

SB: I like small towns. I can go round the markets and shops and people stop and chat with you. There’s a kind of intimacy that you don’t get in big cities. There’s also a healthy sense of community.

If you’ve had a tough day there’s nothing like getting out on the moors with the dogs. I like the character of Calderdale. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of Yorkshire. Rugged, gritty, exhilarating. It has everything. The people have a great sense of humour and a never give-up attitude.

TL: What do you see as the key challenges that the region faces?

SB: There are many challenges but arguably the biggest is securing economic recovery, keeping people in jobs and making sure we get our fair share of future jobs in emerging new areas like green technologies and digital industries. We also need to build on improvements in education and make sure we have a skilled workforce to attract investment.

If I am elected I will make bringing affordable housing to Calderdale a key priority. I also want to see big improvements in transport so we can enjoy the benefits of the Leeds and Manchester economies more easily.

All these challenges will require imaginative solutions and I think it’s important that the community has a strong say in determining their future. I want to see a greater transfer of assets from councils to community ownership so we’re able to benefit much more from the creativity and energy of local people.

TL: Was there any single event in your life which you’d credit as a political awakening moment?

SB: My politics were largely informed by my grandmother who was an inspirational figure to me. My grandfather was killed during the war and my grandmother looked after two small children and her own stepmother. She did three jobs during the day and was very proud of the fact that I was able to go to grammar school and then university. She had very solid community values, a strong work ethic and believed in looking out for people who needed help.

As far as political events are concerned, the miners’ strike stands out most. I was in Newton-le-Willows at the time and I remember the market square being full of police vans every day. The community was under siege. I saw dignified hard working men reduced to tears. It was horrifying at the end of the 20th century in Britain seeing people relying on food parcels.

TL: What would be your vision for Calder Valley?

SB: We can no longer continue to rely on big employers like HBOS. Our economy is changing and I’d like to see an explosion of start-ups and entrepreneurial talent come to the fore. Look at what’s happened in Scarborough. Last year they beat the likes of Valencia and Helsinki to be named the most enterprising place in Europe.

I’d like us to benefit from the million green jobs that are going to be created in the UK in the coming years. I think we’re ideally placed to do this. And I’d like to see sectors like advanced manufacturing enjoy growth as well. The key focus has to be to bring in investment and create job opportunities.

TL: In the wake of the expenses scandal why should people trust politicians?

SB: The vast majority of people in Parliament go there because they want to serve their communities and get a better deal for their area. MPs can achieve a huge amount and make real difference to people’s lives. People shouldn’t forget that. Look at people like Nye Bevan and Barbara Castle if you want to remember what can be achieved by politicians. They were inspiring people and utterly fearless. It’s wrong to tar everyone who wants to enter public life with the same brush.

TL: How will you be transparent?

SB: I will publish all my expenses online and make sure people know how I am spending public money. As I live in the constituency people can stop and ask me.

TL: Voter turnout has been falling for a while. Do you think this election will be any different? Will apathy be the real winner?

SB: No I don’t. I think people are more politically aware now. This is a very important election and there is a lot riding on it. We’re coming out of one of the worst global recessions in a generation and too many people could pay a terrible price if the wrong policies are implemented now.

TL: In 30 seconds, why should people vote Labour?

SB: Labour is committed to supporting our economy and protecting jobs. The Tories can only speak of ‘an age of austerity’ while we’re going for growth. Their priority is giving the richest people a huge tax break. Ours is keeping people in work. Remember, it was the Tories who said that unemployment is a price worth paying. You will never hear anyone in the Labour Party saying that. We won’t risk sending Calder Valley into a depression.

TL: Steph, thank you for taking the time to speak to us today, and best wishes for the election campaign.

SB: You’re welcome, and thank you too.

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Steph Booth’s Campaign Website