CAMERON PRAISES TIMPSON'S RECORD
Dear Resident,
Welcome to my election bulletin - just under two weeks to go til polling day on May 6th!
I was delighted to read this week that David Cameron, the Leader of my party, had given me a good write-up in the Crewe and Nantwich Chronicles. You can read more here.
My election report continues to be delivered. If you haven't got yours yet, you can click here to read it. It tells you exactly what I'm standing for.
I also wanted to remind you that my office will remain open for business throughout the campaign at 30 Victoria Street, Crewe CW1 2JE.
The telephone number remains 01270 501725 and you can email here.
With best wishes,
Edward Timpson
Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe & Nantwich
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I have recently...
- Visited local business R K Mackey Funeral Services in Crewe
- Held a House Meeting for local residents in Winterley
- Met with Headteacher of Pear Tree Primary School in Nantwich
- Participated in Candidates Debate at Nantwich Christian Council
- Visited local business Absolute Recruitment in Crewe
- Participated in Federation of Small Businesses Candidates Debate in Crewe
- Visited New Life Parent & Toddler Group meeting in Crewe
- Held a Street Stall to meet constituents in Nantwich
- Visited local business Fayrefield Foods in Barthomley
- Participated in BBC Radio Stoke Candidates Debate
- Attended local charity Home Start's Annual General Meeting
- Met with Market Traders at Crewe Market to discuss there trading concerns
This weekend I will be...
- Attending Weaver Girl Guides' Centenary Celebrations in Nantwich
- Holding a Street Stall with Shadow Secretary of State for Justice Dominic Greive
- Running the Virgin London Marathon, raising money for local charities
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Edward Timpson
Crewe Blog
Like Labour's David Williams, there's been plenty of backing for his main rival in the blue corner - well, unless you think that Lib Dem's Roy Wood is going to be a late contender sporting yellow? Commenting on his support for Edward Timpson, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, Nantwich notable Cllr Arthur Moran said: "As an independent local councillor I have found Edward's help and advice to be first class. I believe he is doing a good job and, come the general election, he's worthy of support."
© 2010 Crewe Blog
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Nantwich councillor Arthur Moran backs Timpson as MP
Nantwichnews
Nantwich Independent councillor Arthur Moran has thrown his support behind Edward Timpson to win the seat in next month’s General Election.
Cllr Moran, who also serves on Nantwich Town Council, believes Mr Timpson is the right man to carry the town’s aims and ambitions forward.
He said: “As an independent local councillor I have found Edward’s help and advice to be first class.
“I believe he is doing a good job and, come the general election, he’s worthy of support.”
Conservative candidate Mr Timpson is competing for the seat with Labour’s David Williams, Liberal Democrat Roy Wood, and a number of Independent candidates.
Tonight sees the second of three televised national debates between Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg.
The General Election takes place on Thursday May 6.
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Edward Timpson with Andrew Mitchell
Crewe Blog
Conservative candidate Edward Timpson last week welcomed Shadow International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell to show him around Crewe and Nantwich. The two went out to speak to voters in Nantwich about local, national and international issues, at one of Mr Timpson’s regular street stalls. They spoke to voters of all ages about issues including young people struggling to find work, potholes in local roads, and, Mr Mitchell’s special interest: aid to developing countries. The Conservatives have pledged to ring-fence the budget for international aid and are committed to the UN target of spending 0.7% of national income as aid by 2013.
Speaking at the stall Mr Timpson said: "It’s been another lovely day here in Nantwich, I’m delighted that Andrew has seen our town at its very best. He knows as well as I do that it’s absolutely vital for politicians to get out on the streets to hear about people’s views and issues first-hand.”
© 2010 Crewe Blog
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Cameron praises Timpson's record
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
David Cameron believes Edward Timpson’s track record as Crewe and Nantwich MP will hold him “in very good stead” in next month’s general election.
Speaking to the Chronicle during the visit to Brine Leas High School on Friday, the Conservative leader said Mr Timpson had been an excellent MP.
“I think people can see how hard he’s worked as a constituency MP and all the issues he’s raised and how much he’s fought for Crewe and Nantwich so I think he’s an excellent candidate,” said Mr Cameron.
“He’s been a great MP, I’m delighted to be here backing him and I know he’s putting everything into his campaign and I’m very hpeful he’ll be returned.”
Mr Timpson was elected as Crewe and Nantwich MP in May 2008 following the death of longstanding MP Gwyneth Dunwoody.
He romped home with a near 8,000 majority, overturning the late Mrs Dunwoody’s majority of 7,000.
Mr Cameron acknowledged that people often vote differently in a by-election.
He said: “Every election is always a challenge and we have to get out there and win over new people. But I think Edward’s got a track record now and people can see his commitment, how hard he’s worked, what he’s bringing to Crewe and Nantwich, and that will hold him in very good stead.”
Mr Timpson, meanwhile, said he was “delighted Mr Cameron has chosen to launch this fine music initiative in Crewe and Nantwich.”
He said he had visited Brine Leas four times since being elected as MP and was very familiar with the excellent music at the school.
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Europe: Where do we stand?
Edward Timpson, Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
We believe Britain’s interests are best served by membership of a European Union that is an association of its member states.
A Conservative Government would never allow Britain to slide into a federal Europe. We support an open, flexible Europe, whose priorities should be what really matter to the people of Europe: global competitiveness, global poverty and global warming.
Labour and the Lib Dems promised the British people a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty but broke their pledge. It was a betrayal of democracy.
We’d change the law so that never again would a government be able to agree to a treaty that hands over areas of power from Britain to the EU without a referendum.
We’d also introduce a new law, in the form of a UK Sovereignty Bill, to make it clear that ultimate authority stays with our Parliament.
As the Treaty contains a mechanism to abolish vetoes and transfer power without the need for a new treaty, we’d change the law so any use of the so-called ratchet clause would require full approval by Parliament.
These policies deal with future problems today – made worse by the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
They boil down to the unaccountable intrusion by the EU into almost every aspect of our lives.
We’d address the worst of these problems by negotiating three specific guarantees over powers that should reside in the UK not the EU:
•A full opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights
•Greater Protection against EU encroachment into the UK’s Criminal Justice System
•Restoration of national control over social and employment legislation.
A Conservative government wants the UK to be in Europe – not run by Europe.
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Debate at care village
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
People living at a Nantwich residential village turned out in force to hear the views of the candidates from the three main parties.
Conservative parliamentary candidate Edward Timpson, Labour candidate David Williams and Roy Wood, who is standing for the Liberal Democrats, visited Richmond Village last Monday.
A spokesman at Richmond said: “A capacity audience listened with interest to the answers given by the three main party candidates on many issues, with the audience demanding to know what measures each of the parties were proposing to deal with the emotive subject of paying for care.
“This led to some interesting debates between the three candidates.”
He said the debates carried on covering subjects including immigration and MP’s expenses.
More local issues included Crewe town centre and the provision of jobs within the local area.
The event was chaired by Steven Linde of Robert Smith & Co.
The spokesman added: “He managed to do a magnificent impersonation of David Dimbleby in chairing the event and ensuring that questions, and answers, were fair and to the point.”
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Book closes on nominations
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
Nominations have closed for next month’s General Election.
As the Chronicle deadline passed late yesterday afternoon, Cheshire East Council has still not announced the full list of candidates running for the Crewe and Nantwich and Congleton constituencies.
There are six known candidates ready to battle it out for each seat when voters go to the polls on Thursday, May 6.
Crewe and Nantwich Conservative Edward Timpson will be hoping to hold on to the seat he snatched from Labour in the 2008 by-election.
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Protesters in talks
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
Stapeley residents met with Vodafone, Crewe and Nantwich Conservative Edward Timpson and representatives from Cheshire East Council to discuss the proposed mobile phone mast on Peter Destapleigh way.
Residents are up in arms because the proposed site is just metres away from a new outside learning area at Pear Tree Primary School.
The meeting was brokered in order to discuss a compromise site proposed by residents 120m from the school.
But during the meeting a Vodafone engineer said that the compromise site was too far south to provide sufficient coverage into the Cronkinson Farm estate.
They said they were still intending to go ahead with the original site despite the significant local opposition and two planning rejections.
There was still hope that a satisfactory agreement could be reached when Vodafone agreed to provide full details of their coverage for the area and investigate any alternative sites proposed by residents within the next four weeks.
A spokesman for Vodafone said: “We have already considered a further alternative site suggested by local residents but this did not give us the coverage improvement that we seek.
“We appreciate the recent opportunity to meet with local residents and Edward Timpson, in order that we can fully understand their concerns and have committed to further consider sites suggested to us by local residents.”
Mr Timpson said: “I sincerely hope a compromise can be reached. But to really move forward I think Vodafone need to understand the level of local opposition to the current.”
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Construction plans put on hold for mast
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
Phone giant O2 has promised not to start work on the siting of a controversial mast at Wistaston until it has explored alternative locations.
Residents were furious when Cheshire East Council gave the go-ahead for the siting of the mast on the corner of Readesdale Avenue and Valley Road because it is close to three schools and two nurseries.
Work should have begun in December but residents set up camp on the land and refused to budge.
At one stage, six police cars turned up when protestors stopped construction workers going on to the land.
Now, following a meeting between Conservative parliamentary candidate Edward Timpson, O2 representative Tom Powell and NO2O2 campaigner Alan Cheetham, the company has promised to suspend building works until they have fully investigated alternative sites.
Mr Timpson said: “It is a pity that it has taken an act of civil unrest for O2 to enter into dialogue, but at least they now have. I think they now realise that this isn’t going to go away and the campaign won’t stop until they are absolutely satisfied that all other possibilities have been exhaustively investigated. I look forward to hearing what they have done to take account off our concerns.”
Mr Cheetham said: “It was refreshing for O2 to agree to a meeting.
“We put forward alternative solutions not previously looked at and O2 promised to investigate with haste.”
O2 now say there is a “distinct urgency” for them to either find an alternative site or press ahead on the corner of Valley Road and Readesdale Avenue – as their notice to quite date served by South Cheshire College for their current site is May 31.
“We’ll continue to fight the cause right to the end,” he added.
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Labour's leaflets criticised
Crewe Blog
There's plenty of squabbling about manifestos and election material distributed by the main parties, and it's not just on a national level. Here in Crewe & Nantwich the Conservatives are not happy about some of the Labour leaflets that have been dropping through letterboxes. According to Mr Timpson's office some of the claims made on Labour's campaign literature in Crewe & Nantwich has alarmed residents.
Mr Timpson said: "I don't know what it is about our local Labour Party. I get on well with many of their colleagues in the House of Commons, but in Crewe and Nantwich it seems they will say anything to scrape back votes which they wrongly see as their property. What infuriates me is not the damage they are trying to do to me personally, but the way they have frightened some of the most vulnerable people it has been my privilege to represent."
The Conservatives believe that Labour has been scaremongering via their South Cheshire News publication, making claims about pensioners' bus passes, winter fuel allowances, car parking charges and cancer treatment. They also believe that Labour has made no attempt to differentiate between Conservative candidate Edward Timpson and the Cheshire East Council Conservative group, who Mr Timpson has been publicly at odds with.
© 2010 Crewe Blog
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Nantwich campaigners to fight on despite council U-turn on parking charges
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to fight on despite new assurances that car parking charges will be lowered in Nantwich.
Nantwich First members have collected almost 2,000 signatures on a petition for fair and equal fees in line with neighbouring towns.
Cheshire East Council says it will ‘scrutinise as a priority’ the fact that car parks in Nantwich, together with Crewe, charge the highest fees across the borough for the first two hours.
While welcoming the news, campaigners say they will continue to drum up support and deliver their petition to Cheshire East’s HQ to ensure the message is heard ‘loud and clear’.
Cllr Arthur Moran said: “We’re delighted the council has sat up and taken notice.
“But we’re certainly not going to give up and stop collecting signatures. We want to get the message across loud and clear that we won’t accept higher charges when others pay less.”
Drivers in Nantwich have to pay 70p for the first hour to park, in Macclesfield it is 60p and in Congleton the charge is 30p. In Sandbach, Alsager, Middlewich and Holmes Chapel there is no charge.
Crewe and Nantwich Tory parliamentary candidate Edward Timpson has criticised the Conservative-led council for the ‘anomaly’.
He said: “It was great the council scrapped Sunday charges but waiting years for the rest of parking charges to be harmonised isn’t good enough. I made this very clear to the council and they have now done the right thing.
“We’ll see charges in Crewe and Nantwich fall from their current level. This isn’t a case of instant perfect harmony but it does mean charges will be fair, and much faster than previously expected.”
Cheshire East has agreed a borough-wide residents’ parking scheme policy and set aside £480,000 over three years to implement this where required.
Results of the scrutiny review will be implemented from October 1. A spokeswoman said: “The review will be comprehensive, covering on and off street provision throughout the borough. It will be a lengthy process but should be complete by the year end.”
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Crewe and Nantwich political debate for local business members
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
A POLITICAL debate of the three main party candidates in Crewe and Nantwich will take place this evening (Wednesday).
Edward Timpson (Con), David Williams (Lab) and Roy Wood (Lib Dem) will answer questions put to them by members of the Federation of Small Businesses at the Ramada Encore Hotel on Crewe Business Park.
It is a members-only meeting and will be chaired by radio personality Sam Plank from 6.30pm
Branch chairman Sandy Cowen said: “Small businesses hold the key to economic recovery in the UK and all the parties claim that they offer the best deal for small businesses.”
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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South Cheshire College retail students take to London streets
Nantwichnews
Business students from Nantwich visited one of the busiest high streets in the UK in a research project for their course.
Students taking the National Diploma in Business at South Cheshire College headed for London to find out about retail on the famous Oxford Street.
They gathered research for their Understanding Retail Unit – a key component of the course.
The group also had time during the day visit to tour the city taking in Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square and Downing Street.
They also headed to the Houses of Parliament where they toured the House of Commons and Lords, organised by Nantwich MP Edward Timpson.
Kirsty Valentine, Course Team Leader, said: “Visits like these are an opportunity to see for themselves how things operate in the real wide, outside the classroom environment.”
© 2010 Nantwichnews
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Crewe and Nantwich political candidates going head-to-head in live debates
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
THE political temperature is rising as the General Election draws near.
Three Question Time-style debates are already lined up in the Crewe and Nantwich constituency in the coming week.
The first takes tonight (Wednesday) when Edward Timpson (Con), David Williams (Lab) and Roy Wood (Lib Dem) will answer questions put to them by members of the Federation of Small Businesses at the Ramada Encore Hotel on Crewe Business Park.
It is a members-only meeting and will be chaired by radio personality Sam Plank from 6.30pm
Branch chairman Sandy Cowen said: “Small businesses hold the key to economic recovery in the UK and all the parties claim that they offer the best deal for small businesses.
“We’re looking forward to hearing what they have all got to say!”
l Next Wednesday (April 28), Churches Together in Crewe are holding an election forum when the candidates will field questions from residents.
The event is at 7.30pm on Wednesday April 28 at the Salvation Army centre on Prince Albert Street in Crewe.
A spokesman said it was a chance to ask questions about issues not covered in the party manifestos.
Anyone wishing to submit questions before the meeting should contact the Rev Andrew Taylor, the minister at Union Street Baptist Church, by email at andrewntaylor@btinternet.com or by phoning 01270 781318 or by a written question handed in on arrival at the meeting.
l The following night - Thursday, April 29 - South Cheshire Friends of the Earth have organised an election Environment Debate at The Crown in Nantwich at 7.30pm.
Constituents of Crewe and Nantwich will have the opportunity to quiz all five parliamentary candidates about issues related to the environment and find out what their parties’ policies are.
Campaigns co-ordinator Tania Sayer said: “We are rightly hearing from all the politicians about how they are going to fix the economy, support schools and safeguard hospital spending, but we also need to know where they stand on important environmental issues, such as energy and food.”
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Vodafone to explore mast sites away from Pear Tree School
Nantwichnews
Vodafone is to explore alternative sites for its controversial phone mast plan close to Pear Tree Primary School in Stapeley.
Company reps met with Cronkinson estate residents, Cheshire East Council and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson to discuss the ongoing dispute.
Vodafone and O2 want a 15-metre mast on Peter Destapleigh Way to improve coverage, but families say it would be just metres away from a new outside learning area at Pear Tree School.
Residents proposed a compromise site 120m from the school, but a Vodafone engineer said it was too far south to provide sufficient coverage.
But Vodafone has now agreed to provide full details of their coverage for the area and investigate any alternative sites proposed by residents in the next four weeks.
A spokesman for Vodafone said: “We recognise some of the community have expressed concern regarding the location of this base station but without radio base stations, mobile phones will not be able to work.
“We have already considered an alternative site suggested by residents but this did not give us the coverage improvement that we seek.
“We appreciate the recent opportunity to meet with residents and Edward Timpson. We fully understand their concerns and have committed to further consider sites suggested to us by local residents.”
Mr Timpson said: “Vodafone are showing a willingness to investigate alternative sites, and I sincerely hope a compromise can be reached.
“But to really move forward I think they need to understand the level of local opposition to the current site 10m from an area of Pear Tree Primary School.”
A residents group spokesman said: “We are grateful to Edward for his continued support of our cause, which helped overturn the second application from Vodafone, and for brokering and chairing the meeting with Vodafone and the Council.
“This tried to address the injustice over the first application’s deemed approval, and we hope it will result in an acceptable compromise solution.”
© 2010 Nantwichnews
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Edward Timpson gears up for Sunday's London Marathon
Nantwichnews
Nantwich Conservative candidate Edward Timpson is gearing up for his latest London Marathon attempt this Sunday.
But he says the election campaign has forced some changes to his normal training schedule.
“I’m not finding much time to go out for runs at the moment, but getting out on the streets of Crewe and Nantwich to talk to residents is pretty good exercise too!” he said.
Last year Mr Timpson raised £3,000 for charity and ran his fastest time in a decade. He is hoping to match his achievement again this year.
He is running for local charities Home-Start Central Cheshire and the Supported Community Business Special Needs.
Crewe-based Home-Start is a voluntary organisation which has provided a lifeline for hundreds of troubled families in Crewe and Nantwich for more than a decade.
Mr Timpson is a keen supporter of the work of the two charities and is a patron of both.
“I’ve seen first-hand the great work done by these two charities in our area, so I’m delighted to be raising money for them,” he said.
“I am extremely grateful to all the local people and businesses who sponsored me last year, and hopefully with your support again this year we can make a real difference to these two charities and all the people they help.”
To sponsor his run, visit www.edwardtimpsonmp.com/marathon
© 2010 Nantwichnews
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Candidates Revealed For Crewe And Nantwich
Crewe and Nantwich Guardian
SOME six Parliamentary candidates will battle it out to become the next MP for Crewe and Nantwich.
Nominations have been confirmed today for the General Election on Thursday May 6.
The candidates for Crewe and Nantwich include James Clutton of the UK Independence Party, Independent candidate Mike Parsons, Conservative Edward Timpson, Labour's David Williams, Phillip Williams of the British National Party and Liberal Democrat Roy Wood.
© 2010 Newsquest Media Group
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Brine Leas head reveals David Cameron and Gary Barlow visit plans
Nantwichnews
Brine Leas School in Nantwich was chosen to host David Cameron and Gary Barlow’s singing contest announcement because of its excellent music reputation, it emerged today.
Headteacher Andrew Cliffe revealed to Nantwichnews how the amazing day all came about.
And he told how Take That star Barlow even asked for more volume as he performed the huge hit The Greatest Day with delighted Brine Leas pupils.
Brine Leas runs an Inter House music competition every year with around 300 students involved.
Most musical genres are covered - from rock bands to string quartets, to choirs and guitar ensembles.
Mr Cliffe said: “We were told the Conservatives chose Brine Leas to host the announcement due to the excellent reputation it has for music.
“The planning for the event proved interesting with visits from Special Branch, hovering helicopters and a bevy of newscasters.
“The music section was changed a few times before we were finally given a clear format and a day to prepare to support Gary Barlow.
“I am very grateful to Miss Hazeldine and Mr Forshaw for all the work they did with a very young group of musicians.
“Gary was very generous with his support to all the children who performed and it was certainly a day that the school will never forget.
“Gary insisted on turning the volume up for the music and choral accompaniment. He even turned to the drummer, Ashley Snook, and issued the immortal line, ‘Count us in Ash.’
“We all need inspiration and my aim as a headteacher is to make sure that all children aspire to be the very best that they can be.
“To have one political party into school could be viewed as being politically biased yet the students have experienced seeing someone who operates right at the very top of their profession as well as the media circus that surrounds them.”
Mr Cliffe said the visit has also inspired many students who want to study politics in the new sixth form centre which opens this September.
“Given the nature of the questions the students asked, which were not prepared, it seems an interest was being sparked in politics rather than a party.
“In addition they have had a personal audience with a major pop star who spoke genuinely and supportively about making music.
“I have never received so much positive feedback. I am very proud of Brine Leas School and the opportunity to share a little of what we do with a wide audience made the preparation worthwhile.”
© 2010 Nantwichnews
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Indoor market gets a visit
Crewe Blog
Edward Timpson, Conservative Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has been interviewed by BBC Radio Stoke about his two years of life an MP. Reporter Max Khan visited Mr Timpson’s Victoria Street office in Crewe on Friday to talk to the candidate for a programme about politics in Crewe and Nantwich. They then went on a walk around Crewe town centre to talk to local residents and businesses. Mr Timpson used the opportunity to talk to business owners in Crewe Market Hall about the problems they have recently been experiencing. Businesses have found that passing trade is dropping off during the redevelopment of Lyceum Square, as the outdoor market has moved to Market Square. Mr Timpson has been in close contact with the business owners at the indoor market and has written to Cheshire East Council to ask for a reduction in their rates during the redevelopment.
Speaking afterwards Mr Timpson said: “I’ve enjoyed my time as MP and hopefully looking forward to another five years. It was good to get out with Radio Stoke on the streets of Crewe to hear about the issues that are really affecting people.”
© 2010 Crewe Blog
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5 ways to contact Edward Timpson
