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Continuing a series on world leaders, Miles Deverson takes a look at Angela Merkel
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In the first of a series on world leaders, Miles Deverson takes a look at Nicholas Sarkozy
Her campaign will be crucial in determining the future of the nation’s political scene as the population of York Outer is vacillating between the Tories and the Lib Dems. According to the Lib Dem website, their party leads by a margin of 203 votes above the Tories. The BBC calculates that the Lib Dems have a 0.4% advantage over the Tories here.
The Tories need to gain 116 seats to obtain an overall majority in Parliament and have placed York Outer as their third easiest seat to gain this election. Despite being a crucial Tory target, Kirk is confident that the Lib Dems are the right party to represent York Outer.
The Yorker interviews Madeleine Kirk to find out more about her career, her policies and what the Lib Dems will do for students.
How has the boundary change affected your campaign? Does the fact that York Outer is a new constituency provide you with new opportunities?
MK: The boundary change that created our new constituency meant that when the academic experts looked at our seat, they gave the Liberal Democrats a majority of 203 votes. So, yes, it made a big change in that it is a held Lib Dem seat on the experts’ numbers!
York Outer is a Conservative target seat, what is your strategy to encourage people to vote Lib Dem?
MK: I have spent the last thirty years working hard for local people. I plan to show people that I have a real record of action, and then tell them what else I want to do for our area. We are the only party at this election that is offering honest, open policies to deal with the economic crisis and other important issues.
As a student going into the job market in the near future, what will the Liberal Democrats do for me?
MK: Firstly, we would reduce the debt that recent graduates face by scrapping Tuition Fees. Then we need to make sure that there are jobs for you to apply for, by dealing with the financial crisis. The Lib Dems are the only party to detail how we would do this. For example, we would introduce new taxes on homes worth over £2million, change the way that highly polluting air travel is taxed and only ask people to pay tax on earnings that exceed £10,000. We also want to make our economy more stable again by changing how the banks operate to avoid this crisis happening again.
Are you planning on visiting the University personally before May 6th? If so when?
MK: I visited the University with Vince Cable just last week, and am doing so again later this week for the University’s Question Time session and then the week after for the YUSU Hustings. I’m very supportive of our student Lib Dem branch on campus and will probably be going to some more of their events too!
Why did you get involved in politics? What would your advice be to students interested in following such a career path?
MK: I got involved in politics because I wanted to help my community. After I had children I joined some parents groups, and that experience led me into campaigning for better local facilities. Then I saw how great the need was for people to speak up for our whole area. That’s what drives me, making sure our area gets the facilities we deserve and helping people who need support. I would urge everyone to get involved with politics just by volunteering for whichever party you support. If you then go on to stand for Council or Parliament, that on the ground experience will mean you never forget who you are seeking to represent.
To find out more about Madeleine, click here. Don't forget to vote May 6th.
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