No stranger to election fever

In the first of our series looking at the issues which could decide this year's local government elections, reporter THERESA ROBSON focuses on the Ribble Valley.

THE Ribble Valley is no stranger to election fever.

In 1991 it hosted the infamous Ribble Valley by-election, when Liberal Democrat Michael Carr overturned a Tory majority of 20,000 to win the seat.

The by-election was forced following the resignation of the then Home Secretary and Ribble Valley MP David Waddington, in the wake of the demise of Margaret Thatcher.

Nigel Evans came a humiliating second, only to win the seat back for the Tories at the 1992 General Election.

This year, the result could represent another milestone in Valley politics as borough council voters decide whether to reject or embrace the far right British National Party.

The party, which already has a foothold in Burnley and Blackburn, put forward candidates for each of Clitheroe's five wards but decided not to run simultaneously for Clitheroe Town Council, claiming the town council was "not powerful enough."

Support for the party has been given a chance to grow following the row over plans for a mosque at the back of an Islamic Education Centre in Holden Street.

It came to a halt last year, when planners gave the scheme the thumbs-down for the second time.

But Ribble Valley Council Chamber erupted into a verbal scrum last month during an appeal into the matter by planning inspector Claire Sherratt.

Two of the mosque's most vociferous opponents, Sheila Syms and David Boden, of the Mearley Residents' Association, are to stand on a Tory ticket in the Salthill and Littlemoor wards of Clitheroe respectively.

But Ribble Valley Council Liberal Democrat leader Frank Dyson, whose St Mary's constituency includes Holden Street, said the mosque had not been raised as an issue by residents during canvassing.

"Most people understand that the mosque is beyond the council and now lies in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate. It hasn't been raised as an issue on the doorsteps of Clitheroe houses.

"The main theme of the Liberal Democrats is financial discipline. We are not going to be seduced by Government grants for capital schemes only to be left with huge running costs and will be seeking to maintain the democratic process through public participation at council meetings.

"We will also be seeking traffic calming measures through Clitheroe and the surrounding villages. This is something that people mentioned a lot."

Tory council leader Chris Holtom said the prospect of regional government was an issue on the minds of many voters.

"The penny is starting to drop among the electorate that local democracy will be in danger if regional government gets the go-ahead.

"The Conservatives in Ribble Valley were the first people in the county to flag this up and are totally against regional government, which will lead to the demise of our boroughs.

" I also believe sound financial management is important and under the Conservatives the Ribble Valley Council this year levied a 3.2 per cent increase in council tax, one of the lowest in England." Seven members of Ribble Valley Council have decided to stand down.

Five are Conservatives, including former council leader Peter Redpath, one is a Liberal Democrat and one an Independent.

Other councillors standing down are Conservatives Pat Chadwick (Wilpshire), Mary Wilson (Longridge), Philip Nierop (Bolton-by-Bowland) and Arthur Pearson (Whalley), as well as Independent Lois Rimmer (Langho) and Liberal Democrat Howel Jones (Clitheroe).

Council leader Chris Holtom is returned unopposed in Wilpshire, as are fellow Tories Janet Elizabeth Alcock (Aighton, Bailey and Chaigley), David Smith (Alston and Hothersall) and Stuart Alan Hirst (Wilpshire), as well as Independents Doreen Bailey (Chipping) and James Rogerson (Alston and Hothersall),

Whalley vicar Chris Sterry is to vie on a Tory ticket for one of two seats in Whalley, alongside Conservative Ribble Valley Mayor Joyce Holgate and Liberal Democrats Thomas Peter Hardwick and Christine Mary Marchi.

Four husband and wife teams are among the nominations, including Liberal Democrats Stephen and Margaret Sutcliffe, who will be battling to retain their seats in Clitheroe's Littlemoor ward.

Former Clitheroe Mayor and Mayoress Alan and Susan Yearing are standing in Clitheroe's Edisford and Low Moor ward against former Clitheroe Mayor John McGowan on a Labour ticket, while wife Patricia is running for Clitheroe's Primrose ward, also on a Labour ticket.

Graham Sowter will be fighting to retain his seat in Billington and Old Langho, while wife Judith fights for one of two seats in Mellor.

And while methodist preacher Howel Jones, who has been a Liberal Democrat borough councillor for 20 years and mayor twice, has decided to stand down, wife Beverley will be contesting St Mary's in Clitheroe for the Liberal Democrat.

Clitheroe Chamber of Commerce president Stephen Pietrzak is standing for St Mary's in Clitheroe and Ribble Film Club chairman Bruce Dowles is contesting Wiswell and Pendleton for the Liberal Democrats.