Five in race for Tom’s ward

Michael Peel | Monday, 29 January 2007 Source: Halifax Evening Courier

FIVE candidates have been named for the Calderdale Council by-election on February 22.

The vacancy in the Mixenden and Illingworth ward came about after 64-year-old Tom McElroy died suddenly before Christmas. He represented the north Halifax area for 18 years.

Judy Gannon, of Kebroyd Avenue, Triangle, will be hoping to retain the seat for Labour.

She was a councillor in the Sowerby Bridge ward from 1982 until 1990, and in Ryburn from 1995 until 1999. She recently took early retirement from her job as a nurse-tutor. She is now secretary of the Calderdale Well Women Centre.

The Conservative candidate will be John Hardy, of Bell Hall View, Savile Park, Halifax, who represented the Warley ward from 1988 to 1996.He is an organising secretary for the Tory party.

Michael Elder, of Hangingroyd Lane, Hebden Bridge, is standing for the Liberal Democrats and Sean Loftus, of Woodbrook Close, Mixenden, is an Independent.

Thomas Bates, of Beechwood Drive, Holmfield, Halifax, is the candidate for the British National Party.

He is a governor of Moorside Primary School, Ovenden, Halifax, and stood for election in the ward in May last year.

The Mixenden and Illingworth seat will next come up for election in May 2008.