Alun Griffiths (Lib Dem) “Residents, especially young people in Bradford South, are facing great difficulties in getting into work and training, particularly in this recession.

“Along with everyone else in the city, they share the sense of frustration and anger over the delayed city centre development.

“If elected I would work with Liberal Democrat councillors and parliamentary colleagues to ensure that Westfield progress an appropriate development urgently, and that the Lib Dem conditions for a high percentage of local employment, training and trading opportunities are maintained, so the people of Bradford will benefit from it, and the residents of Bradford South will again have a city centre they will enjoy visiting to shop and for entertainment and leisure.

“Another issue regularly raised by residents is that of transport. Lib Dem proposals would give more power to councils to regulate bus services according to communities so local people get a real say over routes and fares.”

Matt Palmer (Con) “We need to deal with the economy to create new jobs and sort out the city centre. We need an economy businesses have confidence in so developments like Westfield can go ahead. I will work to deliver Odsal Sporting Village and Low Moor Station. We need to recognise that immigration makes it harder to get less skilled jobs, and bring it back under control.

“Bradford needs less crime and anti-social behaviour. We must stop handcuffing the police to their desks with paperwork and forms. I will work with the police to deal with violent crime and end early release of prisoners to make Bradford safer.

“We need to improve access to services and the quality of education, so that every child has the chance for a good education and a good job. I will work to made this happen by supporting teachers and schools.”

Gerry Sutcliffe (Lab) “Securing the economic recovery and delivering prosperity for all is paramount. We have to continue to invest to secure the economic recovery and to support families and communities. The Tory agenda is a decade of austerity, abandoning people and communities just as they did in the 1980s and 1990s.

“Regeneration is another key local issue. The Tory-run Council has failed miserably at this. If you want to know what a Tory Government would mean for Britain, just look at the mess they have made of Bradford. We need to bring partners and investors together to achieve regeneration, not drive them apart.

“Last, but not least, education. Since 1997 there has been a 40 per cent increase in young people from Bradford South going to university. Labour has built new schools and put extra resources into classrooms. We want the best start for all our children. Education is the key to a prosperous future for all our families.”