FIVE parties are hoping to conquer the Calder Valley seat in the May 5 General Election.
The Conservatives, the Green Party, the Liberal Democrats and the British National Party are all aiming for the seat which was held by Labour candidate Christine McCafferty.
She is hoping to retain the seat in the election.
The Calder Valley constituency covers Brighouse, Elland, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden.
The large area, which sits on the border of Yorkshire and Lancashire, was redrawn in 1983 and prior to that was known as Sowerby.
Although the area's abundance of water power led to it being a major manufacturing centre for the woollen industry, today manufacturing only plays a small role in the area - but tourism is growing.
Despite the decline of the area's main industry, it is not badly deprived - 75% of homes in the area are owner-occupied.
The Calder Valley constituency historically has no fixed allegiance to any one party.
In 30 years, it has seen five changes of allegiance.
In 1959, Labour took the seat by 47 votes.
It was taken by the Tories in 1970 - with a margin of 59 votes - and Donald Thompson retained it for the party in 1979.
He kept the seat until 1997, when it was taken for Labour by Christine McCafferty.
She had a landslide victory and, although Labour fell behind in popularity in Calder Valley local elections, she managed to keep the seat in 2001.
However, her majority of 6.5% was half that of her 1997 win.
Party: Labour.
Name: Christine McCafferty.
Age: 59.
Profession: Was Labour MP for Calder Valley from 1997 until this year.
From: Hebden Bridge.
Status: Married, one child.
Says: "Labour has delivered enormous improvements. But there is a lot more that needs to be done.
"I want us to continue to build a country where hard work and merit, not privilege or background, determines success and where Britain's families get modern healthcare, education, childcare services on a fair and equal basis.
"Having made my home in Calderdale 30 years ago, I am proud to have represented you as your MP.
"Calder Valley will be one key battleground where the choice will be straightforward between a Tory and my own record as a local MP who has been willing to speak out for Calder Valley when necessary."
Party: Conservative.
Name: Elizabeth Truss.
Age: 29.
Profession: Held senior positions in the oil and telecommunications industries but is now concentrating on her campaign.
From: Hebden Bridge.
Status: Married.
Says: "I want to promote a Calder Valley with vibrant and lively market towns, tranquil green spaces and decent infrastructure.
"I will work to bring further vitality to our towns in a way that fits the surroundings.
"Conservatives will give local communities the final say over whether they want more building in their area.
"Conservatives will ensure there is locally managed, effective policing. We will fund another 75 officers in the Calder Valley.
"Although we have a brand new hospital in Calderdale, Labour's policies have resulted in an unacceptably poor level of cleanliness. I support giving matrons control."
Name: Liz Ingleton.
Party: Liberal Democrats.
Age: 53
Lives: Sowood. Has lived in the Calder Valley since 1982.
Family: Married with one son and two step-children.
Occupation: Company director for Halifax firm Valuescope Ltd.
Says: "We need to protect our environment and to develop sustainable communities with opportunities for all - young and old - not just to be part of a Leeds-based region.
"Politics is about listening to what people want.
"Too much of what Government does is about targets and policies set by people in London.
"Out hospitals, schools, police and transport should be free to devise their own priorities in line with the needs of local people."
Name: Paul Palmer.
Party: Green.
Age: 42.
Lives: Hebden Bridge.
Family: Partner Julie and son Max.
Occupation: Runs not for profit internet company, Green ISP, which promotes awareness of environmental issues.
Says: "There are many local people concerned about green issues already working positively to promote the environment.
"I hope to be able to play my part in promoting and encouraging these kinds of local enterprises.
"The local Green Party believes the region really needs more affordable and sustainable housing and improved public transport, as well as promoting wider issues of tackling climate change through renewable energy and opposing globalisation by supporting local shops, producers and services.
"A green voice is badly needed."
Party: British National Party.
Name: John Gregory.
Age: 39.
Profession: Builder.
From: Luddenden.
Status: Single.
Says: "I would like to raise the profile of the area and my party and get across that we want to address issues other than asylum and immigration.
"We accept that there are people from other countries in Britain, but we want people to have their own identity and for British people not to have to be ashamed of it.
"We want a self-sufficient Britain, separate from the EU. "We want to build up the manufacturing industry, which was so important in this area.
"It is how you build up a nation's wealth and can afford things like better pensions. For some reason, the other parties think it is OK to be just a service industry."
Barbara Green, of Clifton
"I don't really do politics very much. I don't think a lot of people do. There is so much spin.
"You are a bit stuck when you don't like any of them!
"I think Tony Blair has gone down with a lot of people over the Iraq war and that might go against him.
"Locally, the Conservative candidate is supporting our protests against plans for a business park on Wakefield Road at Clifton - but then so has the Labour candidate.
"They are all saying they will support local causes."
Colin Stout, 52, of Brighouse
"I've lived in the Brighouse area for 35 years and I cannot see many changes on May 5.
"I don't think this is the election when things will alter dramatically and I feel Labour will get back in with a comfortable majority.
"There has been the Iraq issue, but nothing at local level to influence the way people may vote, as we had the Poll Tax several years ago. That made many people change the way they vote.
"I believe there may be a protest vote in some areas on issues such as the hunting bill but here in Calder Valley it will be a case of as you were."
Stuart Booth, 45, of Ripponden
"I don't think the country is being run right generally. There are a lot of people who are fed up. We don't know where all our money is going.
"But whether any other party could do it better I don't know. I watch the TV but I still don't know what each party is offering.
"All I know is my team didn't win last time!
"I've always voted for the same party and there's nothing anyone has said so far to change my view. I always vote even though I'm not particularly political, because it is a waste of a vote if you don't.
"My wife, Joanne, doesn't know who to vote for and she is trying to look at different policies on issues at the moment."
