Election candidate named

THE LABOUR party has picked its candidate to run for the Macclesfield seat in the next General Election.

Tim Roca, 28, will bid to become MP for the Macclesfield constituency, held by Conservative David Rutley since 2010.

It’s been a Tory seat since 1918 – but Mr Roca said the tide is changing.

He said: “The Tories have taken Macclesfield for granted.

“There is a progressive majority who want to see real change. The cost of living crisis is hitting people hard.

“I feel privileged to be selected as Labour’s candidate for the area I grew up in.

“Macclesfield has been let down both locally and nationally in recent years, and I’m determined to fight to put Macclesfield first.”

The former Disley Primary and Poynton High school pupil studied his- tory at Lancaster University and was president of the Student’s Union, taking a role campaigning against tuition fees.

Mr Roca lives in London, where he works as a university administrator and is an officer for Unison – but said he’s keen to move back to Macclesfield. He also supports the creation of a town council in Macclesfield and is opposed to recent privatisations within local government.

He said: “My family is still in Macclesfield and I come back most weekends. People will see me out knocking on doors.

“I support Macclesfield’s right to have a town council and am behind coun Laura Jeuda’s campaign for Hollins View. I’m out to win this seat.”

MP David Rutley said he will defend his seat in the election next May.

He said: “I don’t take Macclesfield for granted.

“Far from it, there’s been a huge focus on Macclesfield.

“I’ve been working flat out with councillors and residents regardless of their political persuasion, working for our community.”

At the time of going to press no other parties in Macclesfield had named a prospective candidate to stand in next year’s general election.