Caldeira launches Mayoral campaign
TONY Caldeira, the entrepreneur behind cushions firm Caldeira, launched his campaign to become Liverpool’s first elected mayor after being officially selected as the Conservative Party’s candidate yesterday.
Caldeira was joined by employment minister Chris Grayling MP yesterday as he unveiled a campaign with four core pledges:- creating growth and jobs, cutting crime, improving council services and creating a cleaner, greener, safer Liverpool.
If elected, he also pledges to create a “Council of All The Talents” where his three main opponents would be invited to join the mayoral cabinet alongside leading local talents from outside politics.
Mr Caldeira said: “Liverpool and its people have tremendous potential and I want to maximise the outstanding opportunities we have.”
Mr Caldeira will be running against Liverpool City Council leader Cllr and Labour party nominee Cllr Joe Anderson and the council’s opposition leader Cllr Richard Kemp, standing for the Liberal Democrats.
Cllr Anderson launched his campaign last month and Cllr Kemp this week unveiled his ten-point manifesto which included a pledge to create a £100m bond to fund infrastructure improvements and business support. He has also called for the creation of an “enterprise factory” which would house spin-out companies from the city’s three universities.
All three of the main candidates have agreed to take part in a pair of public debates planned for next week – one by Liverpool University’s Foresight Group at Mountford Hall on April 19 and another by Downtown Liverpool in Business at Radisson BLU on April 16.
Frank McKenna, chair of Downtown Liverpool in Business said: “The mayoral race is really hotting up now, so we thought it was vital to stage a public event where people had the opportunity to see how the major candidates compare, and ask any questions they may have.
“DLiB has campaigned for an elected mayor since its inception in 2004, and it is hugely exciting to see things get to this stage.”
Tickets for both events are free but pre-registration is required either through www.liv.ac.uk/events/ and www.downtownliverpool.com.
In total, some 12 candidates are standing for election. A full list (in alphabetical order) appears below:
ANDERSON Joseph Vincent (Joe): Labour Party
BERMAN Jeffrey (Jeff): Liverpool Independent Party – Representing Local People
CALDEIRA DE ALMEIDA Antonio (Tony Caldeira): The Conservative Party Candidate
COYNE John Bernard Cowan: Green Party
FOGARTY William James (Liam): Independent
HEATHERINGTON Adam: UK Independence Party
KEMP Richard: Liberal Democrat
MULHEARN Anthony (Tony): Trade Unionist And Socialist Coalition
RADFORD Stephen Richard (Steve): The Liberal Party Candidate
RIMMER Paul Duane: English Democrats – “Putting England First!”
TIERNEY Peter (Peter Quiggins): National Front
WHITBY Michael Joseph (Mike): British National Party
