ACTION groups have joined forces in a bid to find a candidate to replace Tatton MP George Osborne at the next General Election in 2015.

A spokesman for the internet-based ‘Osborne Out’ group, who wished to remain anonymous, said the group was not a personal attack on the Chancellor, but a plea for the area to have a constituency-based MP.

“There’s been a lot of talk from various action groups in putting a candidate up,” she said.

“It has an echo of 1997 about it, but it is a very different issue this time around, and we’ve moved on.

“At this stage it is putting the question out there, and is intended to provide a platform for people to respond and so we can assess the weight of opposition against George.

“It is not a personal attack on him, it is more about a constituency looking for a proper constituency MP, not someone who would be more comfortable in a London seat, which is his natural home.

“It’s not easy being Chancellor in the current climate, and with Malcolm Rifkind giving up his seat we can definitely see George being the MP for Kensington, which would probably suit him.

“There have been a lot of rumours, and if he is going to stand down he should not leave it until the last minute.

“The people of Tatton just want a constituency MP who has a life here and someone they can talk to. This is about the constituency, and we’ve seen so many groups crop up that directly affect the people of Tatton that get no support from George, and it’s impossible to meet him.”