Baroness Sayeedi Warsi visits KYP with Conservative candidate Jane Howard

Baroness Sayeedi Warsi, Councillor Jane Howard and Councillor Robert Clegg at KYP

Baroness Sayeedi Warsi supported Jane Howard as she took her election campaign to the Kashmiri Youth Project on Thursday (1 June).

Ms Howard is standing as Rochdale’s Conservative candidate for the Rochdale constituency in the forthcoming general election on 8 June.

Ms Howard began: “It’s lovely to see so many people here today. I’m proud of all KYP do, thank you to all who work here.”

She continued: “I’m fed up of all the negativity in Rochdale; we have so many good things going on in the town. We are the birthplace of the co-operative and communities live together well. There are so many good things.”

“We have a chance to be Brexit strong if you vote for me. If you vote for me, I’ll be right there to influence what happens in the town and can get the investments.”

Baroness Warsi said: “Those who know my politics know I’m very open in speaking out, even against my own party. I know we need a strong leadership.

“What happens here in Rochdale happens to Jane and happens to you. We need a strong Government united to get the best possible deal for our country.

“I have friends who are Labour, and nowhere have I seen a party as divided as the current Labour party. Rochdale has the opportunity to achieve a united vision of achievement with a Conservative MP, Conservative Government and Prime Minister to work for the best for the town.

“That’s not to say everything about my party is perfect. Nothing is ever perfect, and it never will be.”

Questions about several hot topics were asked to both Baroness Warsi and Ms Howard, including Palestine, the NHS, funding for services like KYP and why Prime Minister Theresa May did not take part in the televised debate on Wednesday night.

Addressing Palestine, Ms Howard said: “It would be my job as MP to serve all communities here. I know Palestine is a big issue. The party would like a two-state solution and I support that.”

She continued: “For the NHS, if we get Brexit right, we will have the money for the NHS and I’ll be campaigning to bring the A and E services and maternity services back to Rochdale. The Conservatives have promised £8 billion to the NHS.”

Jane Howard spoke about how KYP had ‘brilliant resources’ and how she aimed to increase partnership with universities in Greater Manchester to address the 30% cut KYP has experienced.

Baroness Warsi commented that Theresa May ‘did the right thing’ by not partaking in the debate.

She said: “Theresa May never agreed to a debate. She did the right thing by not attending, it turned into a shouting match. There are better ways of getting your point across and many ways to speak to the public. She has been very clear in setting her policies and the election.”

When asked her number one priority for Rochdale, Ms Howard confidently answered before a round of applause: “Rochdale has had 50 years of neglect and the pride has gone. I’ll be shouting about Rochdale, raising the profile then bringing the investment in.”