Labour have clung on to their seats after the Tories failed to win enough votes.

Results for the local elections will be announced today, Friday.

We need a fresh start both locally and nationally and only the Liberal Democrats offer the chance to build a fairer Bolton, and a fairer Britain.

The Liberal Democrats already have a dedicated team of councillors in Bolton and now they offer a fantastic team of potential MPs: Jackie Pearcey for Bolton West, Paul Ankers for Bolton North East, and Donal O’Hanlon for Bolton South East.

Polls are open until 10pm – please use your vote. Vote Liberal Democrat.

The Tory candidate for Bolton West in this year’s General Election has been criticised in the national media for answering a question planted by her husband at a town hall debate in Westhoughton.

Labour criticised the move by telling the BBC: “It’s very disappointing that the Conservative Party feel the need to drop in a candidate’s spouse into the audience to ask a question while passing themselves off as a member of the public.”

The row has escalated and Tory chiefs will be fearing that it may overshadow their candidate’s performance.

Those on Twitter have been commenting on her performance. One described her as “haughty and superior” and another said “Tory candidate looks as if she can’t be a****”.

Jackie Pearcey, the Lib Dem candidate, was however described as “a lovely lady and a great local campaigner” and she was lavished praise for doing a “great job”.

Jackie Pearcey was a hit with viewers of a town hall debate last week, which was featured live on BBC News.

The Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Bolton West answered questions at the TV debate in Westhoughton’s Carnegie Hall. The debate was hosted by Gavin Estler, the BBC Newsnight presenter.

Youngsters from Westhoughton High School were in the audience. When asked which of the candidates they preferred, they said that Jackie Pearcey’s Liberal Democrats had the best policies.

Jackie won the greatest applause from the ’studio’ audience, many of whom were from Westhoughton. She won applaud for saying voters should be listening to the policies that the parties have to offer rather than the parading of politicians’ wives by Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

Jackie said: “The debate was a first for Bolton West and I was very proud to have been able to put across my views to the people who will be choosing their next MP. People are fed up with the same old and tired politics of Labour and the Tories, and this event has thrown the doors open to a three-horse race. If you like what I said, and you want me as your MP, vote for it. This is the year that we can make a real difference.”

Jackie’s TV showing was boosted by the first TV Leaders’ Debate, in which Nick Clegg topped the debate for the Lib Dems. A Chancellors’ Debate saw Lib Dem Vince Cable as the star of the show too.

Jackie Pearcey is seeking election for the Bolton West constituency on Thursday, 6th May. Polls are open from 7am until 10pm.

Nick Clegg has topped polls and left Labour and Tories in disarray after he reached out to the people of Britain in a vote-changing performance at the first Leader’s Debate.

The debate, which was hosted by ITV1, saw Nick Clegg eclipse Gordon Brown and David Cameron. Subsequent polls have placed Nick Clegg has the clear winner of the first debate.

But the news was overshadowed by a surprise new YouGov poll for The Sun which pitched the Lib Dems in second place, just 3 points behind the Tories – leaving Labour trailing in third place. The Tories were on 33% (down 4 points), Lib Dems on 30% (up 8 points), and Labour were down 3 points on 28%.

The phenomenal change of fortunes means that the Lib Dems are now on an equal footing – and everything is for play.

People are said to be impressed by Clegg’s friendly, honest and approachable manner. They are fed up of 65 years of the same old, same old with successive Labour and Tory government – and are ready for a change.

All eyes will be on Mr Clegg’s performance at the Sky News Leaders Debate next Thursday. It is thought the Lib Dems may perform well because the debate will focus on foreign affairs, such as the Iraq war, which the Lib Dems have been very strong on in previous years.

Jackie Pearcey, the woman who wants to represent Bolton West in Parliament, has been meeting and greeting Westhoughton residents to find out what matters to them most.

Lib Dem Jackie has been talking to residents across the constituency. She wants to represent the area as an MP who would be firmly rooted in the community, not just someone that disappears into the Westminster village.

Asked what is the topic on everyone’s lips right now, Jackie said: “It’s the economy!”

“I’d like to thank the residents of Bolton West for their very warm reception when I’ve been calling on round,” Jackie added.

“There’s no doubt as to what the biggest issue is, it’s the economy.  From people who are worried about whether their children will be able to get an education, get on the housing ladder or even get a job, to people worried about their own job prospects and who are unable to get a mortgage or any sort of credit on reasonable terms, to pensioners who see no prospect of their savings ever earning more than a pittance on interest and whose pensions are at risk.

“The sad fact is that between the Conservatives having deregulated our economy to the point where it’s hard to tell the difference between a high street bank and a casino and Labour selling off the family silver the economic outlook is bleak and everybody knows it.  in fact everybody seems to know it except the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Shadow Chancellor who really think that they can kid people that everthing is fine until the polls close.

“What is clear from what you are saying on the doors is that the public have a better appreciation of the mess that we’re in than either of the two main parties.  I’ve been impressed at how many people have namechecked Vince Cable as the most sensible chioce to be our next Chancellor.

“In seats like Bolton West, we have the chance to make sure that can happen.”

Vince Cable debates on Channel 4

A television debate between Alistair Darling, George Osborne, and Lib Dem Vince Cable saw the three battle it out for the nation’s hearts and minds.

Vince Cable was crowned “King Vince” by The Guardian, after the Westminster village and Twitter was rife with comment about just how good his performance was.

The Guardian said: “Cable’s performance tonight shows that the Lib Dems are going to be a powerful force in this election campaign.”

He has topped a number of polls rating the three performances and the event, hosted by Channel 4, was seen as a precursor to the Leaders’ Debates which are to take place when Gordon Brown calls the election.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority’s (GMITA) Policy and Resources Committee has welcomed the creation of a discounted System One ticket, provided by Greater Manchester Travelcards Limited, which will provide 28 days’ travel on bus and tram services in the county for just £15.

It will be available exclusively to people participating in the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities’ Future Jobs Fund programme – a £52 million scheme aimed at creating around 8,000 six-month placements in the county over the next 18 months.

The fund will support work experience opportunities for people aged between 18 and 24 who have been out of work for nine to 12 months. The associated System One pass will be available for the duration of the programme.

Mark Threapleton, Chair of Greater Manchester Travelcards Limited, said: “It is essential that practical assistance and support is given to addressing the level of youth unemployment within our region, and we welcome this opportunity to help.

“This is another positive example of how GMTL and GMITA continue to work closely to provide practical ticketing solutions.”

The special pass will only be available from GMPTE Travelshops, to ensure applicants can access the latest travel advice and support when travelling and can easily renew their ticket.

Vince Cable: predicted the recession

Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor who has been recognised for his prediction of the recession, has warned that Labour’s pre-election Budget fails the people of Britain.

“Britain needed a Budget that gave us honesty in spending and fairness in tax. Alistair Darling has given us neither,” Vince said.

“Labour is in denial, while the Conservatives are talking tough to cover up the fact that they only offer more of the same.

“Today’s budget wasn’t honest.

“The Chancellor is incapable of coming clean about where spending cuts will have to fall. Rather than being honest with people about what the Government can and cannot afford, the Chancellor would rather let others indiscriminately shave departmental budgets.

“And the Budget did nothing to make Britain a fairer society.

“We’re campaigning for fair taxes, lifting millions of people out of income tax altogether. But today’s Budget, by confirming the freeze in personal allowances, means everyone will see a real increase in their income tax bill.

“Rather than forcing the nationalised banks to lend to good British businesses, Labour have chosen to create a feeble quango to arbitrate between bullying banks and their small business clients.

“Today’s Budget shows even more clearly that Britain needs real change.”

To watch Vince’s response to the Budget, click here.

Jackie Pearcey

Liberal Democrat PPC for Bolton West Councillor Jackie Pearcey has condemned the decision by the Government to cap Greater Manchester Police in their share of the Council Tax.  Under a deal with all ten authorities, GMP were to get a 7.5% rise each year for three years specifically in order to bring up police numbers.  Since then, a budget deficit has resulted in police number falling.

Now the Government has capped GMP, deciding that next year they will not be able to increase by more than 1.6%.

Jackie Pearcey said “this is unacceptable interference by the Government.  Because the police were underfunded, mainly as a result of the Government’s funding structure which has already taken £15.5. million away from GMP this year alone, a decision was made to increase funding in order to improve policing.  That has also now been taken away.  Meanwhile, GMP are the second worst performing force in the Country!  It is amazing to think that the Government expect GMP to improve whilst starving them of resources.

“Bolton needs better policing, but it can’t be done for free!”