Hale Independent Issue 168

JULY 2024 2 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2024. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com CONTACT JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US MORE than a century of Conservative representa- tion ended sensationally as Altrincham and Sale West followed the major- ity of the country to return a Labour MP. The seat, represented by Sir Graham Brady, a senior member of the Tory Party, since 1997 was won by Con- nor Rand. His 20,798 votes gave him a majority of 4,000 over the Conservative candidate Oli- ver Carroll, who was fighting the seat following Sir Gra- ham’s decision to step down as an MP. Altrincham and Sale’s new MP had only been selected to fight the seat a few weeks ago when the previous candidate stepped down for personal reasons. The seat was a key battleground that analysis suggested Labour had needed to win to secure an overall majority. In the end it was a comfortable victory for the party, which secured a 40.4 per cent share of the vote. Speaking after the result the new MP said: “It is an absolute honour and a privi- lege to be elected as the first ever Labour Member of Par- liament for Altrincham and Sale West. Thank you to all those who put your faith in me. I will work tirelessly to be your voice in Westminster.” Oliver Carroll congratu- lated the victor. He said: “I wish himwell as he plays his part in the next chapter of my wonderful home town’s story. “It has been nothing short IT proved to be a great General Election for the Liberal Democrats in Stockport as they captured two seats as part of the party’s national resurgence. Lisa Smart won the Hazel Grove constituency for the party with a majority of 6,500. She replaces Con- servative William Wragg at Westminster. Tom Morrison also cap- tured Cheadle for the Lib Dems with a majority of 12,000 over Mary Robinson who was defending the seat she won for the Conservatives in 2015. Labour held the Stock- port seat with a 15,000-vote majority. Navendu Mishra was re-elected in the constit- uency has represented since 2019, increasing his majority. While the Lib Dems cel- ebrated, it proved a bad night for the Conservatives across Greater Manchester, with none of their candi- dates victorious. Speaking after her victory Lisa Smart said: “One of the most important messages that we heard time and time again from people was that Historic first sees a Labour victory Lord’s role for Sir Graham Connor Rand, right, on the campaign trail with Manchester mayor Andy Burnham (Photo credit Connor Rand) GENERAL ELECTION 2024 SPECIAL REPORT Lib Dems make major gains Messages: Lisa Smart, Hazel Grove’s new MP (Photo credit: Hazel Grove Lib Dems) Peerage: Former MP Sir Graham Brady of an honour to stand for elec- tion here. Thank you to the over 16,000 people who put their faith in me - I am sorry I did not do enough to deliver on that faith this time. As ever, onwards.” Andrew Western was returned as Labour MP for Stretford and Urmston with an increased majority of more than 16,000. He won the seat in a by-election two years ago and sealed his return to Parliament with ease, polling 22,642 votes with Conserva- tive Mark Cornes in second place with 6,492 votes. Sir Graham Brady, former chairman of the 1922 com- mittee of backbench Conserv- ative MPs, is also returning to Parliament – taking a seat in the House of Lords after receiving a peerage in out- going Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s dissolution honours. Re-elected: Navendu Mishra saw his majority increase (Photo credit: Navendu Mishra) New MP: TomMorrison who won Cheadle (Photo credit: Cheadle Lib Dems) they need someone to stand up for them. “It has been wonderful to hear from so many people with their congratulations, but the number of people who have already reached out to me with their issues just shows the challenge ahead.” She added: “The issues that people have brought up with me time and again – sewage dumping, have a lot to do, but I will work my hardest for you and won’t let you down.” He also spoke of the need for investment for Stepping Hill during his campaign. He said: “For years now, Stepping Hill Hospital has been seriously under-funded and now ceilings are coming in, buildings are being con- demned and staff morale is at an all- time low. “Our doctors, nurses and NHS staff deserve so much better, as do the thousands of residents who rely on this hospital.” health and social care and the cost of living – are my top priorities. “It is a real opportunity for us to challenge this new government to do better on the issues that people told us have to change. I will be fighting for Stepping Hill Hospital to get the invest- ment it needs and a new additional hospital site in Stockport from Day One. I can’t wait to get cracking.” Navendu Mishra said: “We are on the brink of real change for Britain and for Stockport. “I am excited to continue working on behalf of our bril- liant communities to bring about policies that reflect our vision for a fairer more just society.” Speaking after his re-elec- tion he also spoke of the need for “real investment” in Stepping Hill Hospital and described housing as the “single biggest issue” facing people in Stockport. New Cheadle MP Tom Morrison said: “Thank you so much to people across Cheadle for choosing me to be your voice inWestminster. It’s incredibly humbling. We