WITH the general election taking place tomorrow (Thursday), many people are still undecided about who to vote for.

 

The Guardian spoke to each of the five candidates standing in the Congleton constituency to give them a last chance to tell you why to vote for them.

 

Alec Heath, Green Party 


The reason I joined the Green Party after 12 years of being a sea merchant and the reason I am standing is that I believe in democracy. 


I believe in a proportional representation system which is a system where everyone’s vote counts. So if you want to never have a say, vote for the other candidates. 


With the Green Party, everything we do is about the environment but we’re not full of jumper knitting, dreadlocked, tree huggers, we’re normal people who say we need to stop thinking about politics and start thinking about saving the planet we are stuck on. 


I am so passionate about having a decent transport system for everyone and that would mean reopening the Middlewich Railway Station.

We need to get cars off the road and that is a big issue in Middlewich because people are travelling through to get to work in Manchester. But what is the answer, do we build more roads or do we improve our transport facilities like the rail station.


If you believe in democracy, vote for the Green Party.


Darren Price, Labour Party 


I come from a working class background. I went to my local comprehensive school, trained as an architect, was awarded a PhD in planning, worked in inner London and then moved back north to advise on large-scale housing development amongst other things.

 

After being made redundant in 2011 when the Tory cuts swept in, I started my own business and my wife started one too. We gladly paid corporation tax when the business made a profit in its first year. 


However, none of this means anything in comparison to the letter we were sent telling us that our child was disabled and would need lifelong care. That is what has driven me to stand for Labour.

 

It's the ideologically driven Tory cuts that I want to fight, cuts that target the poor, the vulnerable and the disabled. I mention my background so you know that I could do the job of being your MP. I only mention my daughter so you know why I want to do it.


If you believe in fairness, equality, compassion and that those with the broadest shoulders should take the greatest burden, then vote Labour on May 7th, the only alternative to the Tories in Middlewich. 

 

Fiona Bruce, Conservative


When I first stood for election as your MP, I promised to fight for Middlewich, and believe I’ve delivered on that promise.


It’s been a pleasure to support the many dedicated community groups in the area - as member of the Clean Team, opening the Good Neighbours scheme, supporting Middlewich Vision in improving the town parks, and more.

 

I led the fight, with thousands of residents, against Covanta’s proposed incinerator, calling a debate in Parliament against this and raising it twice at Prime Minister’s Questions - and together we won that battle! As a member of the group fighting to reopen Middlewich railway station, I presented a 2,000 signature petition for this in the House of Commons.


Middlewich people feel, quite rightly, that the town has not been treated with its rightful priority by Cheshire East Council. This, I informed the Leader of the Council, was completely unacceptable.

 

So I’ve led a series of high-level meetings to address this, ensuring residents’ priorities are taken into account. This has resulted in Cheshire East committing to substantial new investment in the town - the long-promised By-Pass, road safety measures, improving facilities such as Fountain’s Field. These promises are good - but I will not be giving up until they are actually delivered!


Lee Slaughter, Ukip 


I have lived in Holmes Chapel with my wife and three children for almost 20 years, I work as a self-employed interim director and programme director, and serve as a local Parish councillor for Holmes Chapel, and have stood in previous Westminster & council elections for UKIP including as an MEP candidate in last year’s victorious European Parliament elections.


It’s time for a change. The cosy consensus of Westminster has left our country poorer, weaker and beholden to an overseas power in Brussels. As our elderly suffer, our young are left without futures, burdened with debt, our service personnel homeless, we need to change the way we do things in Britain.


Britain stands for something better, The UK is more than a vassal state of the EU super power. Britain is the home of freedom, liberty, and parliamentary democracy. We have a proud history of standing up for values and standards – all being swept away by a Brussels bureaucracy. Its time for change.


Peter Hirst, Liberal Democrats


I am standing again for the Liberal Democrats in the Westminster Election because I would like to represent the people of Middlewich in parliament.


I believe that by having a local resident elected you will benefit from someone who knows the challenges the town faces and is prepared to fight for an improved quality of life for you all.


There are numerous projects such as reopening the railway station, completing the bypass and restoring the town wharf area that I would like to accomplish during my time in parliament.


I have lived in the town for 25 years and been on the town council for sixteen years and so understand the challenges and positives of living here.


While appreciating the numerous events and the friendly nature of the town, we are being submerged by traffic congestion and the quality our schools and health services are threatened by the new developments that are occurring and are planned.


I would also like to help preserve the essential rural nature of Cheshire while campaigning in parliament to improve it as a place that welcomes industries of all sizes and a tourist destination with our rich heritage, open spaces, meres and gardens.

 

Who gets your vote? Let us know in our poll below.