This page contains the views of the MP candidates for Calder Valley on a wide range of issues

To see how their views compare with yours, pick any quote below and select your view.

Stop press: 2 of your candidates haven't gone on the record!

Greg Burrows
(UK Independence Party - UKIP)
because we couldn't contact them

Tim Cole
(Independent)

Let's start by looking at the local statements

(skip to national statements)

• We asked volunteers to find local questions, but unfortunately none have been submitted for this constituency.

National statements

(back to local statements)

• Many people think taxes will have to rise in the next parliament to cut Britain's budget deficit. If they do, any increases should disproportionately be paid by higher earners.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)		agrees
  	“Those with higher earnings pay higher direct taxes as it stands. Assuming they spend more too they also pay higher indirect taxes.”
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)		agrees
  	“high bonuses should be capped in all industrys and loopholes for off shore accounts should be closed”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)			is neutral
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)		agrees
  	“I believe those with the broadest shoulders should carry the heaviest load. It is the most vulnerable who have a right to protection and support.”
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)	strongly agrees
  	“Everyone with an income of £10,000 or less should not have to pay any income tax at all.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)		agrees
  	“It really depends on what taxes are implemented. the 50p rate will but and increase on VAT for example wouldn't”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Green policy is to tax incomes over £100,000 at 50%”

• The British government interferes too much with business.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)			is neutral
  	“This question is inadequate. The Government does not do enough to encourage new and developing business but at the same time does too much to regulate business affaires.”
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)				disagrees
  	“the past and present governments have lost touch with buiness they have no interest other than with financial institutes.”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“The government should control the economy. The mantra that a government can`t create jobs is a myth.”
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)				disagrees
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)			is neutral
  	“Businesses need both support and regulation.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)	strongly agrees
  	“I hold Business breakfast forums every two months and without question this is the top issue business tell me they have”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“Far more regulation needed!”

• Government should tackle climate change aggressively even if it means energy bills go up.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)		agrees
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)				disagrees
  	“there is no need for energy supplys to increase we need to manage our resources more effectively and offset our costs on the commodity of wealth which is drinking water”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“Conserving energy is always a good thing, but `man made climate change` is largely a hoax.”
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)		agrees
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)	strongly agrees
  	“Tackling domestic energy consumption effectively should ensure that household energy bills go down not up.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)				disagrees
  	“With the amount of Fuel poverty we now have in the UK it is important that we do not force more people into this poverty. There are other ways of tackling climate change without the misery of fuel poverty for more people”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Follow our Green New Deal and energy bills need not go up!”

• It would be a big problem if Britain became more economically unequal over the next 5 years.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)		agrees
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)			is neutral
  	“britain needs better management to remain strong during the next five years and needs investment in manufacturing and enterprise.”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)			is neutral
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)	strongly agrees
  	“We have to stop talking about child poverty and put the issue back into the context of family poverty not just in terms of economics, but aspiration and expectation.”
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)	strongly agrees
  	“Inequality leads to a range of health and social problems regardless of a country's general level of prosperity.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)				disagrees
  	“We desperately need business and enterprise to drive the economic recovery”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“We are already one of the developed world's most unequal societies. I recommend 'the Spirit Level' by Wilkinson and Pickett for an insight into the many prblems associated with inequality”

• Despite the recession, Britain should increase spending on public sector services.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)			is neutral
  	“Not increase but not decrease this year either.”
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)				disagrees
  	“there are sufficient funds already available for expansion which at present have not been used”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  	“We`d create a National bank which could print money for public works.”
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)		agrees
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)				disagrees
  	“Priorities need to change. We should put more money into education for example but cancel certain expensive projects like ID cards”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)				disagrees
  	“Overspending and waste within our public sector services needs to be tackled to provide the increases”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“See Green New Deal and our Green plan for the NHS”

• People should provide for their own retirement, and not demand the state to help them do so.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)			is neutral
  	“The State is part of the People. People pay taxes and a proportion of that is to pay for old age. Citizens should have the right to have top up plans which are NOT raided by Government.”
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)					strongly disagrees
  	“the current state pension is a pittance considering the amount of tax and ni people pay during their working years.”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)			is neutral
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“We need a national care service which is, like the national health service, free at the point of delivery. Let's have the courage and the political will to make this a reality”
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)				disagrees
  	“The state has a responsibility for the welfare of pensioners. This is one of the areas we pay our taxes for.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)			is neutral
  	“Agree that people need to be in a position to provide for their own retirement however we need to maintain a state system for those who are not able”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“Pensioner poverty is a major concern. The Green Pary wants to increase the stat pension to £170 per week”

• Immigration levels are too high.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Thse who are here illegally should be repatriated. No amnesties. No setting of bad prescedents.”
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)	strongly agrees
  	“whilst we remain members of the eu imigration will continue to rise and we have no option but to accept it”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)			is neutral
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)			is neutral
  	“Immigration has been badly managed over the last two decades. The system is in chaos. We need effective border controls.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)	strongly agrees
  	“We need a firm & fair system which does not damage our economy and infrastructure”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“We have a fine traditin in the UK of welcoming people from all parts of the Globe. We do need to address some of the 'push' factors which make people so desperate to leave their own lands”

• There are too many CCTV cameras in Britain.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)			is neutral
  	“They are a necessary method of reducing crime. Of course there would be no CCTV cameras in Utopia and lets work to need fewer in England.”
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)				disagrees
  	“there are not enough at present but if we remove the police from the met and place them back into the community there would be little need for cctv”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Welcome to the new world order.”
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)		agrees
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)		agrees
  	“We are living in a surveillance society and have lost the "culture" of neighbourhood watch and community vigillance.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)			is neutral
  	“Think the system, used properly, can have huge benefits to our society”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)		agrees
  	“New Labour has eroded our civil liberties to a worrying extent”

• A married, heterosexual couple provide the best environment in which to raise a family.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)		agrees
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)			is neutral
  	“married couples do not make a family love honesty and respect is the making of a good family forum”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“A loving, supportive enviroment is the only critical element for raising a family. Children need only to know they are loved, wanted and supported. The sexuality of the parents is irrelevant.”
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)				disagrees
  	“Stable, successful families come in all shapes and sizes. The state should not be judgemental about people's living arrangements.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)				disagrees
  	“A loving, caring family unit under whatever guise is the best environment in which to raise a family”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)				disagrees
  	“Everyone wants children to grow up in a secure and stabe lenvironment, but 21st century families come in all shapes and sizes”

• In general, politicians in Britain are honest.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)			is neutral
  	“There is no General. A few are in for public service. Many are in for the ego trip and too many are in for the gravy train.”
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)					strongly disagrees
  	“there is no honesty in any politions linked to a PARTY they must do as they are told by the Party Policy whip”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)					strongly disagrees
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)		agrees
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)		agrees
  	“In general, politicians are honest, genuine and conscientious. There have been too many bad apples, however.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Like most things the few who have abused the system have tarred all MP's with the same brush”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)			is neutral
  	“Actually, I think lots of them are! The ones who 'forgot' they'd paid off their mortgages deserve everything they get, but I worry that the next generation is going to be put off any kind of activism.”

• The arts in Britain should pay for themselves, and not rely on Government subsidy.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  	“A Country without culture and theatre would be a sad place to live.”
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)			is neutral
  	“I dont know enough about the structure of the arts in britain but I will provide my opinion when I know”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“Atr is central to giving our people their culture back.”
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)				disagrees
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)				disagrees
  	“Access to the Arts, like access to Health Care, Education and Employment is the right of every citizen and should be supported by all, for all.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“Feel we need to also make sure that Museums and Art Galleries remain free to enter”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“From Leonardo da Vinci onwards, artists have needed financial help to produce their best work!”

• The new British government should begin negotiations to leave the European Union.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)		agrees
  	“After a referendum of the People.”
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)			is neutral
  	“Again untill I know more about the agreements and the penalties that Britain could face I cannot comment but I will when I know the Truth and not what we are told by Polititions”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)					strongly disagrees
  	“Stronger together, weaker apart. The Government should negotiate within the European Union for a better European Union.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“Feel we need to be a part of Europe but not ruled by Europe - No to a Federalist State of Europe”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)				disagrees
  	“The Greens think the EU needs substantial reform but that we must be a part of Europe”

• Even if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, Britain should not support any military action against Iran.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)		agrees
  	“There is enough unrest in the world and I am a great beleaver in negotiation not confrontation”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)				disagrees
  	“I am not anti-war although I do believe government should always go that extra mile to prevent it. The Rwandan genocide should be a vivid and constant reminder to us all of the consequences when we choose to sit on our hands and do nothing.”
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)			is neutral
  	“This should be a matter for the United Nations. Military action would be an absolute last resort.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)				disagrees
  	“This needs to be absolute last resort”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“More dead people killed by British cluster bombs? No thanks! If we give up our nuclear weapons they'll give up theirs!”

• British troops should stay in Afghanistan as long as they are needed.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)				disagrees
  	“Terrorism is a very difficult problem and whilst I beleive our Ground troops should be brought out I would not rule out an Air and Missile offensive to end it once and for all”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)					strongly disagrees
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)		agrees
  	“Two reasons - the safety of people in the UK and also the position of women in Afghanistan who under the most difficult and still threatening circumstances are beginning to challenge the role ascribed to them by the Taliban.”
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)		agrees
  	“The question should be "needed for what?" We should be clear about our objectives and realistic about the risks of withdrawal.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“We need to train the Afghans to take over asap and have a very clear and coherant exit strategy”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“The Green Party wants to bring the troops home now and help the UN to sort out the mess.”

• Britain spends too much money on foreign aid.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Paul Rogan (English Democrats Party)			is neutral
  	“All spending needs to be reviewed. There are no holy cows. Foreign investment is important for our future.”
  Barry Greenwood (Independent)		agrees
  	“This Country now needs the help to sustain itself and we cannot continue with overseas aid when we need to regenerate our own structure.”
  John Derek Gregory (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  Stephanie Booth (Labour Party)				disagrees
  Hilary Myers (Liberal Democrats)					strongly disagrees
  	“We should meet the target of 0.7% of GDP by 2013. It is in all our interests to share our wealth with developing countries.”
  Craig Whittaker (Conservative Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“Its important as a wealthy nation that we hit the Millenium targets set”
  Kate Sweeny (Green Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“The Green Party wants to increase our aid to the UN recommended level of 0.7% in 5 years, and 1% inside 10 years”

Answers by party

In many places, key candidates have refused to go on the record (and sometimes we've been unable to get in touch with them). As a poor substitute, you can see a rough version of how each party answers on average over at our partner site, Democracy Club.

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