By-election no stepping stone, Tory candidate says

By-election no stepping stone, Tory candidate says3 days agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleEwan GawneNorth WestMichael Winstanley was speaking on BBC Radio ManchesterThe Conservative candidate for the Makerfield by-election has promised to dedicate his time to championing the community rather than using the contest as a "stepping stone".The poll was called after Labour MP Josh Simons stepped down, a move he said he had undertaken to allow his party colleague Andy Burnham to run for Parliament and potentially mount a leadership bid.Michael Winstanley told BBC Radio Manchester many in the Greater Manchester constituency were "resentful" about the by-election and felt like "political pawns". He said that was "unfair", adding: "I care about this constituency and I actually want to... have an authentic voice that can represent them down at Westminster."Winstanley, who was mayor of Wigan in 2010, was described by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch as "an excellent champion of the area having lived in, worked in and represented the local community for years".ReutersThe by-election in Makerfield was triggered after the resignation of Labour MP Josh SimonsHe said the regeneration of high streets in Ashton-in-Makerfield and Hindley was one particularly pressing issue.The Conservatives would cut business rates and red tape to help business flourish and increase footfall, he said."If businesses have got an economic environment that they can thrive in, that will help them survive and that will hopefully drive people back on the high streets," he said.PA MediaThere are fourteen candidates standing in the election for the Greater Manchester constituency Winstanley also highlighted the need to put funding into the road network to reduce congestion and for a crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour after a recent spike in problems.When asked if his party's candidacy risked splitting the right-wing vote, he sai...