Strong local candidate chosen for Cheadle

11.01.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 18th Jun 2005

Councillor Mark Hunter, the Leader of Stockport Council which covers Cheadle, has today been chosen by the Cheadle Constituency Liberal Democrats to be their Parliamentary Candidate for the by-election following the sad death of Patsy Calton MP.

Mark lives in the borough with his wife Lesley and they have two children Francesca, 17, and Rob, 16. Mark worked as a Marketing Executive in the newspaper industry before becoming Leader of Stockport Borough Council in 2002.

Councillor Hunter said "It is a great honour to be chosen to succeed Patsy Calton as the new Liberal Democrat in Cheadle. Patsy was a wonderful Member of Parliament for Cheadle who was always ready to help and to stand up for local concerns.

"As Leader of the Council I am already involved in many local campaigns and worked closely with Patsy Calton. I will do my very best to continue the standard of service and action set by Patsy."

Mark added: "Everyone knows that this is a constituency that Labour can't win. The by-election will be a straight fight between the Liberal Democrats who will put local issues and concerns first and the Tories who have been rejected at the last two elections by the people of Cheadle.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Charles Kennedy MP said:

"I welcome the selection of Councillor Mark Hunter as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Cheadle by-election. Mark Hunter is an excellent local choice and will be a powerful voice for local people following Patsy Calton's great success in putting Cheadle firmly on the political map both locally and nationally."