City of Chester election Special - 2010

With a majority of just 917 in the last generalStephen Mosley – Conservative Party
election and a national swing away from labour,Stephen is married and has two young children,
Christine Russell MP faces a hard struggle to keeplives in  and has done for nearly 15 years and
Labour ahead in Chester.claims to be well known across the City of
 Chester. 
In fact the City of Chester constituency couldAfter graduating from Nottingham University, he
hold a fascinating insight into what may happen inwent on to work for IBM for 4 years then set up
Westminster as a whole. Last time round, therehis own IT Consultancy.Chester
was a large swing away from labour to other two 
main parties, but not quite enough to take theHe has since then diversified into property
seat from Labour. This time round, it may actuallymanagement.  
be a surprise if Labour manage to hold on. WithHe has longstanding relationships in the central
local elections becoming more and more based onAfrican country of Malawi. He has also been the
leadership of the main parties and personalitiespersonal guest of the Minister of Agriculture when
rather than policies becoming the order of theon a visit to the country and has hosted visits by
day, this seat is so close to cal that any of theMalawian officials and politicians to the United
main three parties are in with a chance. Just aKingdom. He will be standing for election for the
8.5% swing from Labour to the Lib Dems wouldfirst time and replaces Paul Offer who stood last
put them in.time around.
  
Lets look at the individual candidates this timeElizabeth Jewkes – Liberal Democrats
round at the Election 2010.Elizabeth, or Lizzie as she prefers to be known, is
 a former ecological washable nappy manufacturer.
Christine Russell – Labour PartyShe is a grandmother and mother of four.
Born in Lincolnshire and became MP for Chester inShe wants to you vote "for someone you believe
1997 unseating countdowns finest Gyleswill best represent you in parliament –
Brandreth. Her re-election campaign includes thatsomeone you know will make things happen
Chester has been her home for 36 years, will& someone whose policies you agree with.
always be her number one priority.The other candidates for the seat are
  
In Parliament she has championed things thatEd Abrams – English Democrats
matter to local people from free nurseryTom Barker – Green Party
education to better support for pensioners. SheAllan Weddell – UK Independence Party
goes on to say that she will always make sureJohn Whittingham – Independent
Chester receives its fair share of Government 
funding for education, health, housing and theWe expect the result to be a close call, as this
police.traditionally Tory stronghold looks to be regained
 by the Conservatives. But will the City of Chester
She says her task now is to secure a future thatstill be Labour come May 7th or could the Lib
is fair for all.Dems sneak up the middle?