Five go head to head to be named as Tatton's MP

As well as voting at borough and town/parish level, Tatton constituents will have a choice of five parties on Thursday.

George Osborne, Conservative candidate, said: "Representing Knutsford in Parliament these last 14 years has been a great honour. I now put myself forward again to be your local MP, offering you a strong voice, a track record and a clear plan for the future.

"I’ve championed the jobs and the local businesses. Here in the Tatton constituency the numbers claiming unemployment benefit has fallen by a staggering 65% thanks to our plan.

"I will continue to push for improvements to our town centre, like King Street, and carry on offering advice to local firms who want to grow.

"I'm proud to have worked closely with the Knutsford High School to become an Academy and I secured the funds for the brilliant new Studio School.

"I want to improve our primary school facilities next. I want to see the new NHS medical centre built for the benefit of the whole town. I’ll also champion better transport links – I promised to get the A556 improvements at the last election, and now this project is underway.

"I’ve championed the less advantaged parts of Knutsford, like Longridge – and been a big supporter of The Welcome community centre there. And I’m fighting for better youth facilities, from new scout huts to the Knutsford Football Club.

"All of these improvements demonstrate the benefits of a strong local MP working hand-in-hand with a strong community to improve things.

"With another five years as your MP there is so much more we can do together."

Stuart Hutton, UKIP candidate, said: "Over the last few weeks we've heard promises from the old parties for billions in extra spending, a reduction in the deficit, and tax cuts.

"Clearly, something doesn't add up. This is just how desperate they have become, and how much they think they can insult our intelligence.

"The Institute for Fiscal Studies agrees, and has pointed to a £25bn black hole in the Conservative’s spending plans. Only UKIP has clearly shown how its plans will be funded whilst sticking to The Treasury’s Deficit Reduction Plan - and had these figures independently checked and approved by the Centre for Economics and Business Research.

"The Conservative’s broken promises over controlling immigration, the European Arrest Warrant and transferring powers to the EU clearly demonstrate that they cannot be trusted on the big issues our country faces. Only UKIP MPs will have the courage to stand up for Britain and give powers over our towns back to residents in Tatton.

"May 8 is VE Day. We will remember those who gave their lives for our independence, democracy and freedom. All you have to do on May 7, is put a cross in a box next to the words ‘Stuart Hutton - UKIP’."

Gareth Wilson, Liberal Democrat, said:: “As the only candidate that actually lives in constituency, if you believe that an MP should be someone who lives alongside you, uses the same services, has children at the same schools, drives on the same roads and will therefore make serving this community his top priority – please consider lending me your vote this election.

“I’ve already proven through successful campaigns against housing overdevelopment, hospital parking charges and rural broadband I can make a difference in this area – and these have been done in my spare time while juggling a full time job and family commitments. If I was your MP I could make a difference across the constituency.

“The Liberal Democrats came second in Tatton in 2010. Voting for me gives you the best chance of unseating George Osborne this election.

“Neither the Labour party nor the Conservatives will win an overall majority. Pick a party already proven to make a positive difference in Government with a fair and balanced agenda.

"The brains to bail out Labour and the heart to prevent the Tories destroying our public services with dangerous, unsustainable cuts. And pick a candidate who lives in the area, has roots in the area and cares about what's happening here, above anything else.”

Tina-Louise Rothery, Green candidate, said: "True change will only come when we vote for politicians and parties because we genuinely relate to the people they are and the policies they represent; not as a tactic in a political game. If we want a government that is honest, it starts with our vote.

"I joined the Green Party because all policies are based on a clear philosophy that prioritises fairness, humanity, shared resources and genuine democracy. Tatton is not suffering in the same way as many parts of the country but the people I have met here, care beyond the borders of this constituency.

"The current and previous governments have not put the interests of the people ahead of those of the corporate lobbyists as evidenced by HS2, the push for fracking, the piece by piece privatisation of the NHS, the use of high-interest PFIs and more. The wellbeing of our elderly, our sick and disabled was not prioritised when the government chose austerity as the answer to a debt problem, when other solutions were available.

"We have lived through periods of greater debt than we are now and managed without harsh austerity measures. Our government found money when the banks needed bailouts and has spare for projects like HS2 that demand over 50 billion.

"We're told to expect cuts to services that will impact vulnerable people and that this is essential to pay off debts none of us created. WE need the bailout.

"Born in London, my life has taken me to live and work all over the world; Australia, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Belgium and Spain. I currently work in communications; teaching small businesses to use social media and creating written content for websites. Settled now in the NW of England, I am running in Tatton because 'safe seats' shouldn't be.

"Taking back our ability to play a part in our democracy, is a crucial legacy to pass to future generations and I believe it starts right here, with your vote in Tatton."

David Pinto-Duschinsky, Labour candidate, said: "Knutsford deserves better. I have the experience from a decade in business, from working in government, as a charity trustee and as a school governor to make a real difference for this area.

"George Osborne has taken this community for granted. He hasn’t done enough for Knutsford or listened enough to you. But I will. As your MP, I’ll put local people first. I’ll take action to help hard-pressed families. I’ll fight for a strong economy with opportunity for all.

"And I’ll stand up for local services and for our NHS. When my daughter was born extremely prematurely, the NHS saved her life. So when I campaign for the NHS, it’s very personal.

"Most of all, I’ll listen. That’s why I’ve been out knocking on doors across Knutsford, listening to your concerns. And that’s why I circulated my direct number to everyone in the constituency.

"You have the chance to make a real difference on May 7.

"The Lib Dems have collapsed both nationally and locally and neither they nor the Greens or UKIP can win. But a vote for Labour can really count here. You have the opportunity to change Knutsford for the better by voting Labour. I urge you to grasp it."