Rutley supports local traders

David meets Ian Allport, Chairman of the Indoor Market Traders Association

The state of the economy continues to make conditions tough for local traders in Macclesfield. The number of empty shops in the town centre shows just how testing these times are for retailers.

David Rutley, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, said "I have been meeting with many local traders to better understand the challenges that they are facing. These businesses play a vital role in Macclesfield and are at the heart of the local economy and the community."

He continued, "While there has been some good news with the recent opening of Iceland on Mill Street and action by the Council, it is clear that local traders need all our support to get through these difficult times. It is particularly sobering to learn that the indoor market has seen trade fall by 30 per cent over the last year alone."

David is working with local Cheshire East Councillors to determine what more can be done to support the Indoor Market, including whether additional sign posting could be made available to attract more customers.

Ian Allport, Chairman of the Indoor Market Traders Association, said.."There is no question that the Indoor Market and other local traders are finding conditions very difficult. It's good to see that David is showing a real interest and taking action to help".

David has also met with Diane Smith, the Town Centre Manager, and with the Macclesfield Guild and Chamber of Commerce as part of David's wider campaign to support local traders. David said, "I look forward to working closely with local traders to better understand the issues they are facing and to give my support to these all important businesses."

Campaigning for a Woodford Farewell Event

Local Conservatives have joined forces with local residents to campaign for a commemorative event when the Woodford Aerodrome closes its doors in 2012. The Woodford Airshows ran for 33 years, displaying different aircraft and drawing crowds of up to 100,000 people. Local Conservatives have argued that a farewell event should be held, to celebrate the history of the site and pay tribute to all who have worked there.

Conservative Parliamentary Candidates David Rutley (Macclesfield) and Ben Jeffreys (Cheadle) met with Woodford Councillor Bryan Leck and local resident Tom Newey to discuss the launch of a campaign internet site, www.woodfordfarewell2012.com.

Tom, a 19 year old Poynton resident has launched a Facebook page, which has already attracted nearly 1,000 members. He explained: “My grandad worked at BAE in the paint shop for over 20 years, and my dad still works there on the Nimrod. I remember going to the Air Displays and seeing some brilliant shows. We need to celebrate the history of Woodford one last time, before it’s lost forever.”

Ben Jeffreys, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Cheadle, said "As a history teacher living in Bramhall, I have always been both interested in, and proud of, the history of our area. It would be a wonderful tribute to the Woodford Aerodrome's rich past, and to all who have worked there, if we can secure a farewell event in 2012”.

David Rutley, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Macclesfield, added: “"I think that such an event would be a fitting farewell and a mark of respect to all the people who have worked at the Aerodrome and the huge contribution it has made over the decades. It would have great appeal to all those interested in the proud history of the Aerodrome".”

David hits the ground running

David Rutley with Cheshire East Councillor's Harold Davenport and Matthew Davies

David Rutley is keeping his promise to fight for local residents and to put Macclesfield first. He is already hard at work talking to residents out on the doorstep and in local town centres. David also has a busy schedule attending meetings with community groups and taking forward local campaigns.

Campaign activity has already included meetings with local traders in Macclesfield to determine how best to help revitalise the town centre. David has also been campaigning with local residents in Poynton for a farewell event for the Woodford Aerodrome and is working closely with local Councillors across the constituency tackling a range of local issues.

David said, “I have made a commitment to work for all local residents regardless of their views and it is a commitment that I will keep. In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to working closely with local Councillors, residents, community groups and businesses to lead campaigns on issues that matter most to Macclesfield.”

If any residents or community groups would like to get in touch with David, then please contact him on 01625 422848 or mcatory@btconnect.com

Rutley - the right choice

Sir Nicholas and David after the Open Primary

David Rutley was selected as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Macclesfield at an Open Primary at Fallibroome High School on 17^th October.

At a time when political parties need to engage voters more actively in the political process, the Open Primary was a real success in involving the people of Macclesfield in deciding who would become the Conservative Candidate.

Three hundred residents registered to attend the event. Those that attended had the chance to question vigorously all the participants in the contest and then to vote for their preferred candidate.

After the Open Primary, David Rutley said, “I would like to thank all those who attended and organised the Open Primary to select the Conservative candidate for Macclesfield. It was a great honour to have been chosen as the candidate at that meeting.”

Sir Nicholas Winterton DL MP added “I know that David will continue the tradition of being a hard working constituency MP who will fight for Macclesfield and the people of Macclesfield.”

PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE SELECTION PRIMARY

Following the announcement by Sir Nicholas Winterton that he would not stand as the Candidate again for the Macclesfield Constituency at the next General Election, a selection process is under way to find a new Conservative Candidate.

The final stage of that process is a US-style “Primary” to be held on Saturday 17th October 2009 at 1pm in The Performance Hall, Fallibroome High School, Priory Lane, Macclesfield, SK10 4AF.

If you are an elector in the Macclesfield Constituency you will be eligible to vote at the Primary (provided you are at least 18 years old), but you must be present for the whole meeting at which each candidate will be interviewed and questioned for thirty minutes. The meeting is likely to be around 5 hours long including a break for refreshments.

You must pre-register to attend the Primary by supplying your full name, address with post code, and telephone number to:
Macclesfield Conservative Office, West Bank Road, Macclesfield, SK10 3BT
or telephone 01625 422848 from 9.30am to 1.30pm
or Email mcatory@btconnect.com
or online at www.northwestconservatives.com where you can also find statements from the candidates with brief CVs

You must register by 5pm on Thursday 15th October 2009. Please arrive in plenty of time. Parking is possible to the rear of the Leisure Centre, from where there is direct access into the School grounds.

LOCAL MP RE-ELECTED FALKLANDS GROUP CHAIRMAN FOR 12TH TIME

Local MP, Sir Nicholas Winterton DL has been re-elected unanimously and unopposed as Chairman of the United Kingdom-Falkland Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group – for the twelfth consecutive year – at the Group’s Annual General Meeting at the House of Commons on 13th July. The Group consists of Members from all political parties in both Houses of Parliament interested in maintaining the security and economic prosperity of the Falkland Islands and their inhabitants. Speaking following the well-attended AGM, the Macclesfield MP said:

“Now more than a quarter of a century on from the liberation of the Falkland Islands by British Armed Forces, following the illegal occupation by Argentina in 1982, I am proud to have been re-elected unopposed as Chairman of the United Kingdom-Falkland Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group for the twelfth consecutive year.

“Greater recognition of the Islands and their proud people is needed. For example, I fully support the right for Overseas Territories Representatives to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday each year.

“The Falkland Islands’ strategic role as a gateway to valuable mineral reserves and associated wealth increases each year. An anticipated hydrocarbon exploration programme will begin later this year with a high chance of success in the Northern Basin.

“The United Kingdom must never let down her guard again, with Argentina threatening to use its troops in the Antarctic region to defend its interests.

“I am pleased that there have been two further next of kin visits with 200 family members of those servicemen killed during the 1982 conflict landing on the Islands on each flight.

“The Group will continue to play a particularly important and active role in fostering stronger links between the UK and the Falkland Islands and their loyal inhabitants. We greatly value the regular contact and close co-operation between the Falkland Islands representative in London, Sukey Cameron MBE, the Governor, members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly and the UK Parliament, and enjoy our discussions with Assembly Members on matters such as further developing the Islands’ economic prosperity, environmental protection, fishing, mineral exploitation, and security strategy, whenever they visit the UK. We also try to meet the Governor and Assembly Members whenever they visit the UK, and various members visit the Islands annually in return,”

concluded Sir Nicholas Winterton DL MP.

LOCAL MP WORKING FOR STRONGER COMMONWEALTH TIES

Local MP, Sir Nicholas Winterton, has been re-elected to the Executive Committee of the United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association at its recent AGM at the House of Commons under the Chairmanship of the newly appointed Speaker, the Rt Hon John Bercow MP.

“I am delighted to have been re-elected to the Executive Committee of the UK Branch of the CPA. The CPA does important work in strengthening the already firm links between the 53 independent sovereign nations of the Commonwealth and regularly hosts visits by leaders and parliamentarians to Westminster and countrywide.

“Each year, the UK Branch of the CPA organises opportunities for UK Parliamentarians to visit Commonwealth nations in order to meet elected members, presidents, prime ministers and a wide cross-section of people in the country concerned. The CPA builds on their common heritage in language, culture and education, which enables them to work together in an atmosphere of greater trust and understanding than generally prevails among nations.

“Visits provide important and valuable cross-cultural exchanges of knowledge and experience, bringing together the representatives of the 1.7 billion people of many faiths, races, languages, traditions and levels of economic development, which make up the Commonwealth,” concluded the Macclesfield MP.