Middlewich MP Lady Winterton's successor named as Fiona Bruce (From Middlewich Guardian)

Middlewich MP Lady Winterton's successor named as Fiona Bruce

5:02pm Tuesday 1st December 2009

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THE solicitor who could become Middlewich’s new MP says she is determined to help traders ‘fight to survive’ by opposing the incoming parking charges.

Fiona Bruce was selected out of a shortlist of six hopefuls at the open primary meeting on Saturday to become the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Congleton.

"What I want to do is be fully involved in Middlewich community life and support the development of the Middlewich Vision."

Fiona Bruce

More than 200 people attended the meeting at Congleton Town Hall and Fiona gained the majority of the votes after a grilling from Jim Hancock, the former BBC North West chief political correspondent.

Fiona told the Guardian she now wants to join the fight against the parking fees set to come into effect in the Civic Way and Seabank car parks in Middlewich on January 11.

The mother-of-two, who runs Fiona Bruce & Co in Stockton Heath with her husband Richard, said: “I believe these car parking charges are short sighted and should not be happening.

“As someone who runs a local business I am fully behind the views of those who spoke at the residents’ consultation.

“We need to support local businesses – they are the lifeblood of our economy.”

Fiona also said she is against the incinerator plans earmarked for Midpoint 18 business park, Middlewich, which has prompted an 8,000-strong petition.

She added: “Obviously, I’ll be supporting the local people in opposing the incinerator.”

The solicitor who lives in Northwich, says she hopes to learn from Lady Winterton, who has been MP for Middlewich for more than 26 years.

Fiona, whose children Samuel, 16, and Daniel, 13, attend The Grange School in Hartford, said: “Lady Winterton has been, according to every resident I have spoken to, a fantastic MP. At the primary, she said she’d get in touch.

“I’m taking nothing for granted. I shall be working hard to get to know the constituents including, of course, the residents of Middlewich as I only live next door.

“I want them to know me as a person before asking them to vote for me.

“What I want to do is be fully involved in Middlewich community life and support the development of the Middlewich Vision.

“I’m determined to spend as much time in Middlewich as in other parts of the local constituency.

“I think it’s an exciting town with a lot of things going on and a lot to support. I invite community organisations to get in touch with me.”

Peter Kolker, association chairman for Congleton Conservatives, added: “Fiona will be an excellent candidate who will be very diligent, and bring personal warmth and enthusiasm to the campaign ahead.

“We will be working hard for her and wish her every success, and we hope that she will serve all the people of the constituency for many years ahead.”

Lady Winterton announced in May that she would step down at the next general election.

It is not known whether the expenses row played any part in her decision.

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