Donal O'Hanlon selected to contest Calder Valley for Liberal Democrats
Tell us about your background
I've been married to Jo for 25 years, and we live on a smallholding in the Upper Valley. Originally, I'm from Prestwich (located between Bury and Manchester), where I served as a Borough Councillor for eight years. We moved to Todmorden eight years ago and have loved it ever since! I have a passion for sports—both playing and watching—and enjoy live music and architecture.
Tell us about your career
As a Risk Engineer, I assess organizations for insurance purposes and guide them towards the best solutions. My background includes insurance underwriting, health and safety, property construction, fire and security protection, and business continuity. In my role, I help both insurers and clients find the right balance between risk and reward. It's a fascinating job that allows me to work with a variety of public sector, housing, and large commercial organizations.
What are your hobbies?
We have sheep, horses, and cats, so a good amount of my time is spent caring for them. I also enjoy playing five-a-side football and going to the gym. Occasionally, I go for a jog or hike across the moors. We love live music and you can often find me enjoying bands at the Polished Knob or Burnley Mechanics.
Why are you running for election?
Lots of people say they are unhappy with both Conservatives and Labour and the choice of Rishi Vs Starmer. People deserve a reasonable alternative who can effectively represent them and express dissatisfaction with the major parties. I believe I can do a great job representing Calder Valley, and the Liberal Democrats offer sensible policies that are created democratically by all our members (and not just made up by party leaders during election campaigns!).
Why vote for the Liberal Democrats rather than Labour or Conservative?
We provide an alternative that can deliver sound economic judgement with fairness and compassion. Unlike the other parties, we won't over-promise and under-deliver. Our experience in coalition government in 2010 taught us valuable lessons, making us a wiser and more effective choice today.
How can people make a difference and get involved locally?
- Use your vote wisely.
- Offer your time, knowledge, and skills to help improve the area and enable local parties to work together effectively.
- Support financially if you can to back the change you need, rather than the empty promises of full-time politicians.
