Halifax’s Labour candidate for the General Election has been announced.
Holly Walker-Lynch was selected to represent the constituency after a tough hustings battle at the Threeways Centre in Halifax, which pitted four women hopefuls against each other.
A dedicated Labour activist from Halifax, Ms Walker-Lynch works as a communications officer for Linda McAvan MEP and now hopes to defend Labour’s seat in May’s election.
Current MP Linda Riordan is to stand down due to ill health and her successor was chosen from an all-women shortlist.
Ms Walker-Lynch was selected after a hustings session that included a 10-minute speech from each candidate and a 15-minute question-and-answer test.
Born and raised in Northowram, Ms Walker-Lynch went to school at Northowram Primary and Brighouse High and worked at a fast-food restaurant in Halifax on the minimum wage before later taking up a job with Matrix Technology Solutions.
Speaking after her selection, she said: “I’m delighted and immensely proud to have been selected to represent my home town.
“Linda has been a strong MP for Halifax and hers will be big shoes to fill, but I have the experience and the values to be the champion for Halifax in Parliament that we need.
“My number one priority will be to fight for the future of services at Calderdale Royal Hospital, particularly the A&E department and maternity services which so many local people rely upon.
“And I will stand up for the interests of working families and young people who have been so badly starved of opportunities under David Cameron's government.
“I will work relentlessly between now and election day to meet as many residents as possible to win their trust and support.”
The other hopefuls who took part in the hustings following a shortlist selection were Jo Coles, political aide to Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, Susan Hinchliffe, a Bradford councillor, and Dot Foster, who represents Sowerby Bridge on Calderdale Council.
The other candidate, Naveeda Ikram, a councillor for Bradford, withdrew her application.
Calderdale Labour leader Tim Swift welcomed the selection and said: “Holly Walker-Lynch is a great choice who has been selected from a really strong set of possible candidates.
“She has already been out campaigning with Labour members, and I know how strongly she believes in defending our NHS against the impact of Conservative policies.
“Holly is also committed to working closely with Calderdale Labour councillors to stand up for Calderdale, and to bring the quality jobs and investment we need to build a strong and fair local community.
“Halifax is one of the key seats that could decide whether Ed Miliband or David Cameron form the next government.”
