Report by

NICK HALLISSEY

EDDISBURY goes to the polls in 15 days' time.

Preparing for a by-election prompted by the departure of incumbent MP Sir Alastair Goodlad, all three political parties say they will fight tooth and nail to secure this most cosmopolitan of seats.

Within hours of the announcement of the July 22 polling day, the Conservative Party had fielded its new man, whom they hope will take over where Sir Alastair has left off.

He is Stephen O'Brien, a 42-year-old lawyer from Chichester, who grew up in Chester.

He told the Guardian: "This is a marginal seat and we are fighting it as marginal and fighting to win.

"It is an opportunity for the people of Eddisbury to elect a new representative who is listening to their hopes and concerns.

"It's also an opportunity to send a message out to the Labour government about their lack of understanding and care about the countryside and rural communities, as it is critical to the prosperity of this area."

Labour came out fighting a day later by unveiling their candidate. It was, as expected, Margaret Hanson, wife of Welsh Assembly member David Hanson.

Mrs Hanson said: "My record of service speaks for itself, having spent 11 years on Vale Royal Borough Council.

"I am 100 per cent committed to this constituency, and I am pleased to have the chance to finish the job we did in 1997."

Don Beckett, chairman of the Eddisbury Labour group, added: "Margaret was very popular and did very well in 1997, and I'm sure she can build on that to get the message across that New Labour is governing for all the people."

And just one more day later, the Liberal Democrats revealed their choice - Chester City Councillor Paul Roberts.

He said: "It's a great honour to be asked to represent your local community.

"The constituency is very diverse, with small farming communities as well as modern industrial towns like Northwich and Winsford.

"Liberal Democrats believe in moving decision-making away from party bosses and into local communities. That is why our values can have so much appeal in this area."

The breakaway Pro European Conservative Party is not fielding a candidate, despite member Andrew Pearce threatening to give the Tories against whom they rebelled "a bloody nose".

A spokesman said: "The Conservative choice is not a known anti-European, and so we do not see a point in challenging them at this stage."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.