Conservative Party Leader David Cameron is bringing Cameron Direct to Kirklees.

He is inviting residents in the Colne Valley constituency to quiz him on Thursday 11 March at 5.30pm.

Jason McCartney, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Colne Valley, said:

“Cameron Direct is an excellent opportunity for residents across the Colne and Holme Valleys to come and ask David Cameron any questions they want the answer to.

“Whatever their political persuasion, I know people want to know more from the Conservatives about our plans to raise standards in schools, act now on debt to get the economy moving and make Britain the most family-friendly country in Europe.

“I am pleased David has chosen to come to the Colne Valley constituency and look forward to a lively debate.”

The event is free and open to all local residents, but tickets must be obtained in advance. To apply for this event please e-mail cameron@yorkshireconservatives.com.

Attending members of the public are asked to be at the venue for 5.15pm.

Yesterday I hosted Chris Grayling MP, the Conservative Shadow Home Secretary, on a visit to our area. I took him to meet shopkeepers in Lockwood who told him about the ever present threat of anti-social behaviour and robbery. Their store had been attacked in December. We later spent an hour in Lindley listening to the experiences of local shopkeepers, community leaders and Councillors.

As well as getting the law onto the side of householders defending their property against intruders we need to get the law on the side of hard working shopkeepers who are facing the constant threat of people coming in to rob them. We need the police freed from red tape to get out onto the streets.

We need a Conservative government to get to grips with this.

The fight goes on to stop the Data Campus development on Lindley Moor. Yesterday the Council’s Planning sub committee voted to send the proposal to the Planning and Highways committee with a recommendation for approval. I joined members of the Lindley Moor Action Group, and many concerned local residents, to speak against the plans yesterday. We’re not giving up the fight.

I’ve had another busy and fascinating week. I’ve been out and about in Golcar, Linthwaite, Marsden, Slaithwaite, Netherton, Holmfirth, Lindley, Outlane, Holmbridge and of course Honley. On Thursday I met pensioners rightly angry at cuts to bus services which are a vital lifeline for them to local shops and the local hospital. The residents didn’t even know they were losing the services. Myself and Lindley Cllr Tony Brice are fighting all the way, with the backing of Metro, to get First to reinstate the axed services.

This was the centre of Holmfirth in the early afternoon during the worst of the recent cold snap. I walked into town from home. It was like scene from the BBC series “Survivors” with shops closed and roads deserted.

The Kirklees gritting and snow clearing teams did a sterling job during the record breaking cold snap in January but there are lessons to be learnt for next time. That’s why I’m calling for an independent review. Kirklees managed to grit about 60 per cent of all roads in the area but many untreated minor routes, cul-de-sacs and pathways became treacherous in the sub zero conditions. Grit bins were left empty and residents couldn’t even help themselves as local suppliers were restricted from selling grit and salt.

There were and still are big problems with bin collections. Some areas haven’t had a collection for 4 weeks. This must be looked at, lessons must be learnt and action must be taken.

These issues are bigger than party politics and only an independent review will be able to make the right recommendations for the next prolonged cold snap.

I’m proud that on day one of what seems set to be a 17 week long election campaign we are talking about how we want to get our country back on it’s feet. People want real change and are fed up with dodgy dossiers and puerile personal attacks. I know from talking to people across the constituency that they want politicians who work together to solve our problems and aren’t interested in point-scoring and political dividing lines.