Leeds candidates give positions on justice issues

General election candidates in Leeds have given their views on a variety of green and social justice issues ahead of Thursday's election. Candidates were responding to the Fair 10 Challenge, a ten-point social, ethical and environmental manifesto which calls for a global climate change deal, the Robin Hood Tax, asylum seekers' right to work, no Trident replacement, a ban on the importation of illegal Israeli settlement goods and more.

Created by a coalition of local campaigning groups, the manifesto was sent to all candidates standing in the general election, save the BNP. From the main political parties, responses were received by 8/8 Liberal Democrat candidates, 7/8 Labour candidates and 2/8 Conservative candidates.

Of the 23 candidates who responded to the campaign, 22 said greater supermarket accountability was needed and would work to ensure that a supermarket ombudsman is put in place, and that they would support the creation of an international debt tribunal to help alleviate developing world debt. In contrast, only 11 candidates were willing to support calls to ban the importation of goods produced within illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine. In total 9 signed up to all ten manifesto points.

Speaking about the campaign, Lucy Glynn, campaigner with Leeds Oxfam Group, said, "We know there are thousands of people in Leeds who care about global justice. Unless you contact each candidate yourself, it's near impossible to get their views on these issues, and that's why we created the Fair 10 Challenge. We hope these results help people to make up their minds on Thursday."

Chris Johnston, of activism organisation Leeds TIDAL, said: "We're delighted at the number of responses from Leeds' candidates. Even where we don't see eye to eye on the issues, we've been impressed at the depth of knowledge and willingness to engage. We're looking forward to working with the next generation of Leeds MPs, and following their progress on their pledges."

Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat candidate for Leeds North West, was the the only candidate standing for re-election who signed up to all ten pledges. Voicing his support for issues of global justice, Mr Mulholland said: "As someone who remains very concerned by the inequality in the world, I am worried that the critically important issues of international development, climate change and global injustice are not sufficiently on the political agenda in this campaign."

Ed Balls, Labour candidate for Morley and Outwood, signed up to five pledges calling for a global climate change deal, debt cancellation, tax justice, a cap on local CO2 emissions and supermarket accountability. Mr Balls praised what he called an "innovative" campaign and said: "I congratulate the Fair 10 Challenge for drawing up this comprehensive 10 point manifesto and bringing together such a broad coalition of organisations, churches and campaigners."

The Fair 10 Challenge is run by a coalition of groups including Leeds SPEAK, Leeds Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Leeds Friends of the Earth, Living in the Age of Stupid, Leeds Oxfam Group, Supporters of CAFOD, supporters of Christian Aid, and TIDAL.

For more information about the campaign and to view the results, visit www.fair10challengeleeds.org.uk . A full breakdown and analysis of the results can be found here.

Links:

Fair 10 Challenge

Contact email: imchrisjohnston@googlemail.com