Stephen Kearney
Stephen Kearney is the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for the Henley by-election
Stephen Kearney, 49, is Chief Executive of the Regenerate Trust (www.regeneratetrust.com), an international development charity that works in Africa and the UK. Stephen has been a small business owner, a farmer and has also worked as a commodity broker.
Stephen started his career in retail management with WH Smith and left to set up a pony trekking centre and mixed farm enterprise. After gaining a qualification in Agriculture from Harper Adams University College, Stephen worked in agricultural commodity trading and project management before deciding to make a move to the charity sector.
He lives with his partner Julia who shares his passion for sailing and boating. As well as his love of Britain's waterways, Stephen is passionate about protecting England's rural environment. His interests include music, drama and the arts, especially live performance.
Stephen Kearney is delighted to have been selected by the Liberal Democrats as the new local champion for Henley. His campaign is off to a flying start and he is already working hard in every part of the constituency. He has pledged to make a permanent move to the constituency if he is elected as MP:
"I want to be a very energetic and local MP taking up the concerns of people across the whole of the area. As the local MP I will keep in touch with local people all year round and hold regular advice surgeries across the area. I will be a strong local champion for our local communities.
"I will speak out on the issues that matter to local people such as the loss of local Post Offices, policing and the environment. I will be a full-time MP for this area, living and working in its communities and fighting to safeguard local services."
News from Stephen Kearney
- Jun 27, 2008:
- Stephen thanks voters after Conservatives retain Henley
Liberal Democrat candidate Stephen Kearney has given his heartfelt thanks to voters in Henley and all those who have helped his campaign. Conservative John Howell was elected with Stephen in second place. Labour slumped to a dismal 5th on just 3.1% of the vote. Stephen Kearney: "Local people have today said that they want to protect the countryside, they want to support local services like the Post office and GP surgeries and above all they want the Government to recognise the pressures that are now being felt by hardworking families. "People are fed up and angry with this Labour Government. This is an absymal result for the Labour Party after 11 years in Government and that has lost most of its support. I would like to thank my Party Leader Nick Clegg for his strong support during the campaign - and for the inspiration he is providing for the Liberal Democrats - and the whole Liberal Democrat by-election team and Henley local party that chose me as their candidate." The result in full was: John Howell (Conservative): 19,796 (+3.2%) Stephen Kearney (Liberal Democrat): 9,680 (+1.7%) Mark Stevenson (Green Party): 1,321 Timothy Rait (British National Party): 1,243 Richard McKenzie (Labour): 1,066 Chris Adams (UK Independence Party): 843 Bananaman Owen (Official Monster Raving Loony Party): 242 Derek Allpass (English Democrats Party): 157 Amanda Harrington (Independent Candidate): 128 Dick Rodgers (Common Good): 121 Louise Cole (Independent Candidate): 91 Harry Bear (Fur Play Party): 73 Turnout was 34,915 (50.5%). Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Jun 23, 2008:
- Kearney and Clegg in Thame to back local schools
Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg rejoined Stephen Kearney in Henley today. Stephen and Nick visited Barley Hill Primary School in Thame for a briefing with the headteacher, then chatted and played with the children in the breakfast club. In a recent key note speech in London, Party Leader Nick Clegg set out plans to give schools greater freedoms, allowing them to tailor education to the needs of their pupils. They include: Scrapping mandatory national tests for seven and 14 year olds, with the money saved put into early assessment at age five and a huge expansion of one-to-one reading and numeracy tuition. Abolishing the overly prescriptive national curriculum and replacing it with a shorter document, and allowing all schools the curriculum freedoms currently enjoyed by Academies. Taking the politics out of the day-to-day management of schools by establishing an independent Education Standards Authority and slashing the size of the central government department by half. Changing targets so that schools are incentivised to address the needs of all pupils, not just those 'borderline' pupils. Many schools in rural areas, including South Oxfordshire, are losing out because of a Government funding formula that does not take proper account of their needs. "Local schools are doing a great job of using their resources to provide an excellent education for local children. They have a lot to be proud of," said Lib Dem Campaigner Stephen Kearney. "However the current Government formula does not take full account of the needs of schools in rural areas and I will be campaigning for a fair deal for our local schools." Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Kearney: I'll fight for South Oxfordshire in Parliament
Stephen Kearney at doctors surgery: "I will always stand up for traditional doctors' surgeries. We have a right to visit a friendly local doctor and not have to travel miles for treatment." Stephen Kearney has reinforced his positive vision for the area, committing to fighting on issues important to local residents in Parliament if elected as the new MP for Henley on Thursday. Stephen has pledged to back plans for more police, action on climate change, protecting doctors surgeries locally, scrapping the Council Tax and to vote to end the war in Iraq. In Parliament Stephen will: Vote for MORE POLICE. Stephen says: "I want to see more police on our streets, not an ineffective ID card system. Invest the money in police, not pointless pieces of plastic!" Vote for action On CLIMATE CHANGE. Stephen says: "I will be a strong voice in Parliament on climate change. We need action now. I want to improve recycling facilities and improve public transport in our area." Vote to protect DOCTORS' SURGERIES. Stephen says: "I will always stand up for traditional doctors' surgeries. We have a right to visit a friendly local doctor and not have to travel miles for treatment." Vote for LOWER TAXES. Stephen says: "Conservative Council tax rises have really hit our community hard. I want to get rid of council tax and replace it with a fairer system." Vote to end the WAR IN IRAQ. Stephen says: "It's been five years since Labour, backed by the Conservatives took us to war in Iraq. I will be voting to bring our brave troops home from Iraq." Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Jun 22, 2008:
- Gurkhas come out to help Stephen Kearney in the Henley by-election
Ex-Gurkha Dhan Gurung: I will be doing all I can to help make Stephen Henley's next MP. Many former Gurkha soldiers today travelled to Thame and Henley to help Stephen Kearney in his campaign to be Henley's next MP. Stephen has thrown his weight behind the campaign to ensure all retired Gurkhas who fought in the British army get the right to citizenship, as well as a fair deal on pensions. Liberal Democrat candidate in the Henley by-election, Stephen Kearney said: "Gurkha soldiers have fought bravely in the British army for over a hundred years. The least they deserve is a decent pension and the right to British citizenship. "I'm delighted that so many former Gurkhas have come out today to join my campaign." Dhan Gurung, who helps spearhead the Gurkhas campaign and became Britain's first ex-Gurkha Councillor on Folkestone Town Council in May 2007, said: "We are delighted to have the support of Stephen Kearney and the Liberal Democrats in our campaign for a fair deal for Gurkhas. "I will be doing all I can to help make Stephen Henley's next MP." Related Links See more about the Gurkha Justice campaign Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Police Station campaign attacked
Stephen Kearney and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne MP at Henley Police Station The campaign for extended opening hours at Henley Police Station has been attacked by local Conservatives. The attack comes in Conservative candidate John Howell's latest campaign leaflet. Stephen Kearney said: "It's odd that the Conservatives have chosen to attack on this issue. I certainly won't be deflected from the campaign to make sure Henley Police Station is open full time." Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- No to ID cards, yes to more police
A survey of South Oxfordshire residents has shown that local people are opposed to Labour's ID card plans. Most people questioned believed that putting more police on patrol would be more effective in the battle against crime and anti-social behaviour. Local campaigner Stephen Kearney said: "I have opposed Labour's ID card plans since they were first proposed. They are expensive and ineffective." "Instead of wasting literally billions of pounds on a pointless piece of plastic, we should invest properly in our hard working police service." "A stronger police presence on patrol on our towns and streets will act as a powerful deterrent to crime and antisocial behaviour." Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Jun 21, 2008:
- Stephen answers, but will John?
Stephen and Julia at home in Aston Rowant Conservative John Howell is refusing to properly answer a series of questions about his links to property developers. In stark contrast Aston Rowant resident Liberal Democrat Stephen Kearney sent full answers back to the Conservatives in response to their questions to him. By Saturday, Mr Howell still hadn't provided full answers to the questions. Local people will decide whether Mr Howell is the right person to be our next local MP. Stephen Kearney said: "I was more than happy to confirm to the Conservatives that I live in Aston Rowant near Chinnor. It is a lovely village." "Much like Boris Johnson, I moved to the constituency as soon as I was selected by local members. I will be a full time local MP living in the constituency and working hard for local people all year round." Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Jun 19, 2008:
- Townlands Hospital Campaign: Conservative candidate did NOT help us
Conservative leaflet showing John Howell outside Henley Community hospital with the caption "John Howell supported Boris Johnson's campaign to save Townlands Hospital" - denied by Hospital campaigners. See the image full size at http://henleylibdems.org.uk/photos/9.html Claims by the Conservative campaign that their candidate assisted in the campaign to save Henley's Townlands Hospital are in tatters having been refuted by independent Townlands Campaigners. BOTH the current and former Chairs of the Townlands Hospital Steering Group have issued statements denying any contribution into the campaign by John Howell, despite Conservative leaflets claiming otherwise. In an interview in the Conservative election magazine "People" John Howell said: "I'm a big supporter of our local NHS. I supported Boris Johnson and local people in the campaign to save Townlands Hospital in Henley". In another Q&A in the same magazine, answering the question "What's your proudest achievement on the county council?" he said "The campaign and to protect our local environment from excessive house building has also been important, as has supporting Boris to save Townlands Hospital". In a Conservative "In Touch" campaign newspaper, John Howell is described as having "supported Boris Johnson's campaign to save Townlands Hospital". Henley Residents Association Councillor and former Chair of Townlands Hospital Steering Group Barry Wood has demolished the Conservative claims saying: "John Howell has never been heard of until this election started. "The local Conservative Party has watched from the sidelines, whilst the Henley Residents Group has inspired the Town Council to fund the 'Support Townlands campaign' to the tune of £30,000." When Ian Reissmann, Chair of Townlands Hospital Steering group, was questioned on the Conservative Candidate's help to the campaign to Save Townlands Hospital, he said: "The Townlands Campaign has always been a community based campaign led by local people. The first time I was ever aware of John Howell was after he was first selected as a candidate in the by-election. "No-one I have spoken to on the Townlands Steering Group is aware of any contribution he has made to the campaign to save Townlands Hospital." Stephen Kearney said: "One of the things that makes Henley great is the work of voluntary organisations and community groups throughout the town. "Ten thousand people signed the petition to save Townlands Hospital. I would like to thank every single one of them for standing up for local residents. "As Henley's local MP, I will always work with local residents to help keep Henley the special place it is." Related Links Article from Conservative In Touch Newspaper where John Howell is described as having "supported Boris Johnson's campaign to save Townlands Hospital" - denied by Hospital campaigners. Article from Conservative "People" magazine where John Howell in answering the question "What's your proudest achievement on the county council?" said "The campaign and to protect our local environment from excessive house building has also been important, as has supporting Boris to save Townlands Hospital" - denied by Hospital campaigners. Article from Conservative "People" magazine where John Howell is quoted as saying "I'm a big supporter of our local NHS. I supported Boris Johnson and local people in the campaign to save Townlands Hospital in Henley" - denied by Hospital campaigners. Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Jun 18, 2008:
- Electric Reception for Cable, Kearney and Clegg
Nick Clegg, Stephen Kearney and Vince Cable at the public meeting in Thame A packed meeting at Chinnor Rugby Club in Thame on Tuesday evening gave an electric reception to Henley by-election candidate Stephen Kearney, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable. Nick and Vince both gave presentations, and then answered a wide range of questions from the audience on the global credit crunch, local businesses, house prices, Thame Cattle Market, local councils, the green belt and more. Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Jun 15, 2008:
- Oxfordshire's elderly care charges rocket by 23%
The cost of care for local elderly people has rocketed in recent years because of decisions by the Conservative run County Council and backed by the Tory candidate. There has been a massive 23% increase in the hourly charge for a single care assistant. "Many elderly people are really struggling at the moment with rising bills and Council Tax," said local campaigner Stephen Kearney. "It is not fair that the Conservatives have broken their promises on care for the elderly as well." Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
