On 4 July, residents of Cheadle will take to polling stations to cast their votes to decide who will be their local MP to represent them in parliament.
Who is standing this year?
Candidates standing this year include the Liberal Democrats’ Tom Morrison, Conservative candidate Mary Robinson, Labour candidate Kelly Fowler and Reform UK candidate Stephen Speakman.
Also standing are the Green Party’s Alexander Drury, Workers Party candidate Tanya Manzoor and independent candidate Marcus Farmer.
Political history of the constituency
Known as being a marginal seat between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, Cheadle has swapped between the two parties over time.
Between 1970 and 2001, Cheadle was Conservative, but the area switched to the Liberal Democrats for 14 years up until 2015, where it has been Conservative since.
Initially including the neighbouring Hazel Grove constituency until 1974, the seat has had its boundaries redrawn numerous times over the years.
Up until 1997, the majorities held by the Conservatives were healthy, but the Liberal Democrats reduced this down to around 3000, before Patsy Calton scraped across the line for them in 2001 by a majority of just 33 votes.
Calton’s reign was cut short in 2005 after she passed away, but Mark Hunter continued the Lib Dems’ hold on the seat until 2015.
The Conservatives’ Mary Robinson took over and despite her majorities reducing in each of the 2017 and 2019 elections, she is looking for a fourth consecutive term.
Key issues on the agenda
The areas of Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme have seen property prices rise significantly in recent years through increased demand for the affluent area, but many residents and businesses have increasingly felt the squeeze of the cost-of-living crisis and their rising bills.
Alongside this, there have been a number of empty shop units on Cheadle High Street and many have been vacant for many years, indicating an area that is perhaps in need of attention.
Stepping Hill Hospital is a hugely important hub for residents of Cheadle and Hazel Grove and the Liberal Democrats are planning to focus on ensuring it receives sufficient investment.
Also on the agenda is bringing an expansion of the Greater Manchester Metrolink tram system to the area, as well as protecting green spaces by stopping sewage pollution, effective highways maintenance, and creating a better deal for schools regarding OFSTED ratings and STEM funding.
Voting intention and turnout
Across the past four general elections, turnout has floated at around 53,000 from an estimated electorate of 72,000 people.
The current YouGov MRP polling suggests that the Liberal Democrats are highly likely to take back control of Cheadle from the Conservatives, with a predicted 51.6% share of the vote – which would bean increase of almost 10 percentage points from 2019.
The Conservatives are likely to lose a substantial portion of their vote share, while the battle between Labour and Reform UK will be particularly close for the third most preferred party.
Voting information
In order to vote in the upcoming election the requirements are that you have to be:
- Over 18.
- A British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen living in the UK, or a British citizen living overseas who has resided in the UK within the previous 15 years.
- Registered at an address within the Cheadle constituency boundary.
The deadline for registering to vote was Tuesday 18 June, so you should have received a polling card in the mail.
Polling day is on 4 July and you can cast your vote between 7am and 10pm.
When you arrive at your local polling station you will need a valid form of photo ID and you should bring your polling card.
Results will be announced on 5 July usually in the early hours of the morning.
Featured Image: Photo by Colin Jones on Unsplash
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