Whatever the outcome in next month's General Election, the people of Congleton will have a new MP. What are the issues?

Whatever the outcome is in next month's General Election, the people of the Congleton constituency are guaranteed to have a new MP representing them at Westminster. Reporter Adam Blakeman spoke to voters and traders in the area to find out what issues lie ahead for their next elected representative

FOR an entire generation of young people in Congleton constituency, the reign of Conservative Ann Winterton as their MP is all they have ever known.

Lady Winterton has held the seat comfortably since it was created in 1983, enjoying an increased majority in the 2005 election.

But the 69-year-old and her husband, Sir Nicholas Winterton, the MP for the adjacent Macclesfield constituency, are both stepping down this time around, blaming the hectic life of politics.

It means the start of a new political era for voters like Laura Stubbs, who believes a new MP can only be a good thing for the area.

The 22-year-old journalism student, from Mossley, said: "I think having a fresh MP to replace Ann Winterton is a step in the right direction.

"When you are in a position for so long, you can become a bit complacent and take things for granted, and I think a fresh MP with fresh ideas will take Congleton forward.

"There has been a lot in the news about things like the expenses scandal and I think people are ready for a change."

Chris Carsons, co-owner of DV8 bar in Little Street, Congleton, also believes a new MP might bring fresh ideas to the town.

The 27-year-old, from Congleton, said: "I think Ann Winterton did quite a good job for the area overall but it probably was time for a change.

"The town has been declining over recent years and there are more empty shops now than there have been for a while. Hopefully, whoever is elected will work hard to take the town forward and secure investment and jobs for Congleton because that is what we need right now."

While a new MP for the Congleton constituency is certainly on the cards, the chances of the Tories losing their 27-year hold on the seat seem slim.

The constituency includes the towns of Congleton, Alsager, Sandbach and Holmes Chapel, all of which have a hard core of Tory supporters who can be relied on to turn up at the polls.

Lady Winterton received 21,189 votes in the last General Election, with Labour coming second with 12,943 votes and the Liberal Democrats slightly behind them on 12,550.

The fact that the Tories have held the seat for so long appears to have created a sense of apathy among voters in the borough. Many simply believe it will not matter who they vote for on May 6, because of the size of the margin enjoyed by the Tories at the last election, which stood at 8,246 seats.

Joe Manning, aged 25, landlord of the White Lion in High Street, Congleton, said: "I'll probably vote for the Lib Dems but I don't think it will make any difference around here. The Conservatives have been in power for as long as I can remember and I can't see that changing."

Mother-of-two Sarah Howard, aged 37, who lives in Bromley Road, Congleton, said: "The Conservatives will win around here so I don't see what good my single vote will do. The Lib Dems and Labour tend to take votes off one another, which makes it easier for the Conservatives."

One of the key issues over the last year in the constituency has been the introduction of parking charges by Cheshire East Council, which was met with strong opposition by traders and shoppers in Congleton, Alsager and Sandbach.

In Congleton, multi-million pound plans to overhaul the town centre are in the pipeline, and traders are keen to see the proposed development go ahead.

The future of the soon-to-be-vacant Manchester Metropolitan University Cheshire campus in Alsager is one of the main talking points in the town.

Proposals for 300 houses, as well as retail, leisure and health/education uses, on the 25-acre site have been discussed although no final decisions have yet been taken.

Angela Oakes, who owns Fusion fashion shop in Crewe Road, Alsager, believes the town has often been overlooked by its MP in recent years.

The 48-year-old, who has lived in Alsager all her life, said: "I'd like to see whoever is elected take a bit more interest in the issues facing Alsager.

"From my point of view, it's always felt like Congleton is where the MP spends most of their time and little Alsager is forgotten about.

"I don't think I saw Ann Winterton in Alsager once and I would like that to change with whoever is elected."

A total of seven candidates are in the running for the Congleton seat. They are Fiona Bruce, Conservative, David Bryant, Labour, Peter Hirst, Liberal Democrat, Lee Slaughter, UK Independence Party, and Independent candidates Paul Edwards, Adam Parton and Paul Rothwell.