It is wonderful to find I have 8,886 friends!
I would like to say how grateful I am to every one of you who took the trouble to vote Liberal Democrat in our delayed General Election.
Your support increased our share of the vote by 5.5%, enabled us to overtake Labour and I know some people supported a person, not just a party.
Huge thanks must also go to the superb helpers who shoved thousands of leaflets through letterboxes and the people who put up posters in their homes.
And thanks to my family whose support and sacrifices gave me the opportunity to have the privilege of standing for parliament.
Highlights of the campaign included the visit by leading Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes who I took to Sherburn to see the doctor’s surgery there.
Within 24 hours Simon had tabled a parliamentary question pressing for action over the desperate state of the surgery building, which is wholly inadequate for its 3,000 patients.
That is the sleeves rolled up approach, which Liberal Democrats take in fighting on your behalf.
On the day of the election I made it to bed at 6.15am (Friday), was out of it at 7.15am and that morning was in Pickering at a meeting pressing the case for flood defences.
I did what I have always done – I did what I’d promised, working on behalf of the people in our area.
That’s what I will continue to do now.
Howard
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Election Results HERE
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Simon Hughes pays flying visit!
( Selection of photographs HERE )
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Malton and Thirsk challenger and leading Lib Dem back GP’s crusade
A plea to help 3,000 Ryedale patients is being taken to the top of parliament’s agenda as a result of a visit by leading a Liberal Democrat with parliamentary candidate Howard Keal.
Dr Andrew Kempston has battled for seven years with North Yorkshire and York PCT for funding to improve his Sherburn surgery currently located in a cramped converted house.
Lib Dem Simon Hughes joined Thirsk and Malton candidate Howard Keal at the surgery today for a 40-minute meeting and pledged to raise the issue tomorrow (Tues) in the first parliamentary questions.
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Here's a chance to read Howard's last newsletters - with a message for everyone:-
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Winning hand: Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Howard Keal joined winner of business personality of the year, Derek Fox at the We Love Malton Food Festival.
With Howard is voter Kate Smith and daughter Molly, aged four, enjoying the event which provided a great opportunity to meet a huge number of people who went along.
"The day was a spectacular success for organisers and it was great to take the campaign to so many people enjoying Malton at it's brilliant best," said Howard.
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Meet the family:-
Emily, Hannah, Howard, Di & Molly
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(Click above Photo's for media section!)
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Thirsk and Malton Liberal Democrats
Howard Keal (National Lib Dem Site)